The event was established in 1984, and it was originally designed as a consolation prize for horses which were beaten or had been unable to participate in the previous month's
Cheltenham Gold Cup. The inaugural running was backed by
Perrier-Jouët, and it was titled the Perrier-Jouët Champagne Cup. For the following three years it was sponsored by
Whitbread and called the Whitbread Gold Label Cup. Subsequent sponsors have included
Martell (the Martell Cup, the Martell Cognac Cup) and
Betfair (the Betfair Bowl).
Totesport began supporting the event as the Totesport Bowl in 2008 and the sponsorship was taken over by
Betfred in 2012 after that company purchased The Tote in 2011.
Betway took over sponsorship from the 2017 running. For the 2023 edition the race was run as the Alder Hey Aintree Bowl as part of the 21st anniversary of the partnership between Aintree Racecourse and the
Alder Hey Children's Charity. The race was promoted to Grade 1 status in 2010. It is currently held on the opening day of the three-day
Grand National meeting. ==Records==