CORAL and Ayr Racecourse today announced that they had signed a new five-year agreement for the Coral Scottish Grand National sponsorship.

Coral first sponsored the race in 2007 and during that time it has grown not only in prestige but also in value with this year's renewal carrying £210,000 in prize money - the second richest jumps race run on a Saturday in the UK behind only the Crabbie's Grand National.

And in 2013 the Coral Scottish Grand National was also the fourth biggest betting race of the year.

In 2012 the Coral Scottish Grand National Festival was elevated to be the main site for Channel 4 coverage on the day. On April 12 this year more than 1.3million viewers watched the race on television, making it one of the most viewed horse races of 2014 in the UK.

Announcing the extension which will see Coral sponsoring Scotland's richest and most prestigious jumps race until at least 2019, Simon Clare, Coral PR & Broadcast Director, said today: "The Coral Scottish Grand National is now one of the most watched and most bet on horse races in Great Britain and continues to go from strength to strength.

"We have forged a strong and dynamic partnership with Ayr Racecourse, who are a brilliant racecourse to work with, and are committed to taking this fantastic event to new heights in the years to come."

Ayr Racecourse Managing Director David Brown added: "The Coral sponsorship of the Scottish Grand National has become one of the most successful partnerships between a racecourse and a bookmaker in horse racing.

"The news that it is being extended by five more years is a huge boost to not only everyone involved at Ayr Racecourse but to racing as a whole.

"The Coral Scottish Grand National is one of the iconic races of the jumps calendar with a rich history so it is fitting we have such a prestigious company as Coral as our sponsors."

The 2015 Coral Scottish Grand National Festival will be run on Friday, April 17, and Saturday, April 18.