The Crabbie's Grand National was Saturday's most watched sporting event

The Crabbie's Grand National was Saturday's most watched sporting event, Channel 4 has announced.

Viewing figures for the Aintree spectacular peaked at 8.8million, a 60.3 per cent share of the television audience.

The 2015 figures beat last year's peak of 8.5m and 56.3 per cent share.

Ed Havard, Channel 4's Head of Live Events and Sport, said: "The coverage was hugely innovative and compelling. IMG captured the drama and excitement of the event superbly and we're delighted that we were able showcase the spectacle at Aintree for such massive audiences yet again."

Commissioning editor Stephen Lyle added: "I am delighted with Channel 4's build-up and coverage of the nation's favourite race.

"Under blue skies and in front of high definition cameras, the Grand National has never looked better than it did this weekend."

John Baker, who runs Aintree as North West Regional Director of Jockey Club Racecourses, said: "We're delighted with the quality of Channel 4's coverage these past three days.

"Channel 4's top-class production and presentation team, innovations including JockeyCam and their creative promotion and programming in the build-up, mean they played an integral part in us staging the 'feel-good festival' for more than 150,000 people at Aintree and millions of people enjoying our thrilling event on television."