With the 2026 Cheltenham Festival finished, attention is now on the Grand National, a fixture of the British sporting calendar for almost 190 years.
The Grand National captures the imagination of both occasional punters and seasoned form studiers.
When is the Grand National?
The Grand National will take place on Saturday, April 11 at 4 p.m. BST.
Where is the Grand National?
The Grand National will be held at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool.
The Course and the Fences
The Grand National is run over 4 miles, 2½ furlongs. It is one of the longest races on the calendar and will see 34 horses race.
Horses will jump 30 fences (16 on the first lap and 14 on the second). Some jumps, such as Becher’s Brook and The Chair, have a fearsome reputation. Alterations to fences, including softening and lowering, have been made to improve safety for horses and riders.
Mr Frisk holds the record for the fastest time (8 minutes, 47.8 seconds). The average winning time is around 9 minutes, 10 seconds. The ground’s firmness at Aintree on April 11 will affect the chances of breaking the record.
Who are the Ones to Watch?
Last year’s champion Nick Rockett is returning to defend his crown. I Am Maximus, the 2024 champion and last year’s runner-up, is the bookies’ favourite again.
Aintree Race Schedule
Day 1: Opening Day (Thursday, April 9)
- 1.45 p.m: The Boodles Anniversary 4-y-o Juvenile Hurdle Race (Class 1, Grade 1)
- 2.20 p.m: The William Hill Manifesto Novices’ Steeple Chase (Class 1, Grade 1)
- 2.55 p.m: The Aintree Bowl Steeple Chase (Class 1, Grade 1) (GBB Race)
- 3.30 p.m: The Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase (Class 2)
- 4.05 p.m: The William Hill Aintree Hurdle Race (Class 1, Grade 1)
- 4.40 p.m: The Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 1, Prem Handicap)
- 5.15 p.m: The Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Class 1, Grade 2).
Day 2: Ladies Day (Friday, April 10)
- 1.45 p.m: Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 3m 1f
- 2.20 p.m: William Hill Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f
- 2.55 p.m: Trustatrader Top Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m
- 3.30 p.m: My Pension Expert Melling Chase (Grade 1) 2m 4f
- 4.05 p.m: Randox Supporting Prostate Cancer UK Topham Handicap Chase 2m 5f
- 4.40 p.m: Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m ½f
- 5.15 p.m: Hallgarten and Novum Wines Handicap Hurdle 2m ½f
Day 3: Grand National Day (Saturday, April 11)
- 1.20 p.m: William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle 3m ½f
- 1.55 p.m: Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f
- 2.30 p.m: William Hill Freebooter Handicap Chase 3m 1f
- 3.05 p.m: Liverpool Hurdle 3m ½f
- 4 p.m: Randox Grand National 4m 2½f
- 5 p.m: Maghull Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 2m
- 5.35 p.m: Weatherbys NHStallion.co.uk Standar
The Grand National will see 34 horses race for a place in the history books.