High-quality jump racing on a terrific track that must now be considered one of the best, if not the best, in the country.
And all topped off by warm, sunny, glorious Royal Ascot-type weather.
Mind you, that's the only similarity with Ascot that can be drawn.
Whereas the Berkshire course has somehow contrived to build a new stand that fails in its most basic requirement – providing a decent view of the racing – Aintree has got its priorities spot-on.
Two new stands adorned the course for last weekend's meeting, bringing the total to five, plus the Tattersalls enclosure. And all give magnificent views to complement first-class facilities.
I really would urge anyone who has not yet tasted the Aintree experience to pay a visit in the next year or two.
Nothing beats Cheltenham – but Liverpool for three days in April is beginning to run it very close. The meeting boasts a unique atmosphere and don't be afraid to stay over in the city either. Liverpool might be much-maligned but its reputation derives from the past, rather than its current status as a vibrant, progressive city, capable of embracing modern development while retaining valued tradition.
Much of Aintree's rise to prominence in recent years is attributed to managing director Charles Barnett, who now leaves for pastures new after 15 years at the helm.
Ironically Barnett is moving on to Ascot where all his skills are badly needed.
Barnett's parting message to his successor was "to protect and nurture the Grand National at all times".
The course's ambition is to increase prize money for the great race to £1 million by 2008. And on the evidence of last Saturday's renewal, such a huge fund would be well deserved because the race was as competitive as I can remember.
In the end, it boiled down to a match between class – represented by the likes of HEDGEHUNTER, EUROTREK, BILLYVODDAN and IDLE TALK – and the persuasive race trends and stats that were highlighted in this column last week. Trends and stats represented by the likes of POINT BARROW, LONGSHANKS, JOES EDGE and MCKELVEY.
Not for the first time, the trends won with it being proved nigh on impossible, once more, to land a blow off more than 11st.
Of the 12 horses who finished, only three breached the 11st threshold and none finished within 40 lengths of the winner, SILVER BIRCH.
Conversely, that winner succeeded in fitting most of the trends that have emerged in recent years. The reason he wasn't particularly fancied to confirm them was that he didn't look good enough. Or rather, NO LONGER looked good enough.
Two or three years ago, when with champion trainer Paul Nicholls, Silver Birch was one of the leading staying chasers in the country. He won a Welsh National and won over the Aintree fences in the Becher Chase.
But after contracting leg problems, apparently going sour, and falling at The Chair in last year's National, Nicholls opted to offload him. He was sold for a paltry 20,000 guineas at the Doncaster Sales and ended up in the yard of 29-year-old rookie trainer Gordon Elliott.
Quite how Elliott conjured up sufficient improvement to win last weekend, only he and his staff know. Especially as he'd been soundly beaten in cross-country races and point-to-points leading up to the race. And especially as he'd always been considered immeasurably better on Soft or Heavy ground.
The fact that Elliott and under-rated jockey Robbie Power managed to pull it off is typical of the fairytale stories the National throws up year after year.
Long may it do so.

SIX FOR THE NOTEBOOK

MARSHALL HALL (Aintree April 12)
Improving six-year-old novice chaser who has risen a massive 41lbs in the handicap but acquitted himself really well in his stiffest test yet, despite encountering quicker ground than previously.

WINS NOW (Aintree April 12)
Lovely, strong, scopy six-year-old who looks set for a successful chasing career after another promising performance to supplement his effort at the Cheltenham Festival.

BEDLAM BOY (Aintree April 12)
Progressive six-year-old, trained by Nicky Richards, who had no chance on the book but underlined he's a horse with some potential to chase home two of the top novice hurdlers of the moment.

ACES FOUR (Aintree April 13)
Arguably the performance of the week by Ferdy Murphy's eight-year-old, who is not to be under-estimated in any of the top staying chases he contests next season, starting with the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.

BEWLEYS BERRY (Aintree April 13)
Hard-luck stories abound in every renewal of the Grand National but nothing was travelling or jumping better this year than Howard Johnson's lightly-raced nine-year-old when he came down at Becher's Brook on the second circuit.

HONOURED GUEST (The Curragh April 15)
Aidan O'Brien son of Danehill who is progressing very nicely on the evidence of this win in a competitive Listed affair and is being considered for another step-up in class for the French 2000 Guineas.