2009 Grand National winner Mon Mome ran at Uttoxeter before his Aintree win

Uttoxeter Racecourse general manager David MacDonald is expecting a crowd in excess of 15,000 for the Midlands Grand National on Saturday, 20 March.

"People felt that with the Cheltenham Gold Cup moving to the Friday before, Uttoxeter would suffer," MacDonald told BBC Radio Stoke.

"Advance ticket sales are up around 400% from last year, and we're expecting a capacity crowd."

The Staffordshire course first staged the event back in 1969.

"There's a lot of interest in this year's race, because the winner of the 2009 Grand National, Mon Mome, raced here last year," said MacDonald.

"People will be looking at that will be seeing if there's a potential Grand National winner in the Uttoxeter field."

Preparations are have been well under way for the event for several months, and MacDonald added that the Staffordshire course will be in perfect condition for the biggest day in their calendar.

"It will be ready by the 20th, but it's not quite ready yet. There's still lots to do, but it's all really enjoyable," he said.

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