Grand National Day at Aintree: The Complete Guide

Grand National Day is not a one-race meeting. Six races fill the card, with the National itself — off at around 4:00pm — as the centrepiece. Here is what to expect from each race.

The Randox Grand National (4m 2½f, Grade 3 Handicap Chase)

Everything builds to this. The Grand National is run over the famous National Course: a left-handed triangular circuit measuring roughly 2.25 miles, with the field completing one full circuit plus part of a second. The total distance is 4 miles and 514 yards, making it the longest National Hunt race held in Britain.

Thirty fences stand between the start and the finish. Fourteen are jumped twice; two — The Chair and the Water Jump — are jumped only once on the first circuit. The field can include up to 40 runners, though the safety limit means the BHA selects carefully from the entries. A morning inspection takes place to confirm the going and the fitness of all declared horses.

The race is a handicap, which means the weights carried by each horse are assigned by the BHA's official handicapper in an attempt to give every runner an equal theoretical chance. In practice, of course, the race is anything but equal — the fences, the distance, and the sheer chaos of 40 horses jumping 30 obstacles mean that experience, jumping ability, and stamina matter as much as official ratings.

The famous fences deserve their own mention:

Becher's Brook (Fences 6 and 22) is the most talked-about obstacle in jump racing. At 4ft 10in high, it has a pronounced drop on the landing side — around 10 inches lower than take-off — that catches horses by surprise if they jump flat. Named after Captain Martin Becher, who fell here in 1839 and reportedly remarked on the quality of the water, it remains the fence most likely to produce drama.

The Chair (Fence 15) is the largest fence on the course at 5ft 2in, with a 5-foot open ditch on the take-off side and a landing side that sits higher than the take-off. It is only jumped once per circuit, but in that single appearance it requires an 11-foot spread. The Chair is spectacular to watch from close range.

Canal Turn (Fences 8 and 24) demands an immediate 90-degree left turn on landing — the Leeds-Liverpool Canal runs alongside the course here, hence the name. Jockeys approach at an angle from the outside to save ground, and a horse that drifts wide costs lengths.

Valentine's Brook (Fences 9 and 25) has a brook on the landing side, similar in character to Becher's though less severe in the drop. It has claimed many a promising run over the years.

Foinavon (Fences 7 and 23) is the smallest fence on the course at just 4ft 6in, named after the 100/1 winner of the 1967 Grand National — the one race where being a long way behind the leaders proved to be an advantage, when the entire field piled up at this fence and Foinavon jumped clear.

The race typically takes between nine and ten minutes to complete. Mr Frisk set the course record in 1990 at 8 minutes 47.8 seconds, a mark that has stood for over 35 years.

The Foxhunters' Chase (2m 5f, Listed, National Course)

Run earlier in the afternoon over the National Course fences, the Foxhunters' is sometimes called the amateur Grand National. Riders must hold an amateur permit or a point-to-point certificate, and the race attracts some of the finest amateur jockeys in the country. The distance of 2 miles 5 furlongs means horses jump 18 of the National fences.

For many horses, the Foxhunters' is their first experience of the National Course fences. Watching them tackle Becher's Brook for the first time gives a real sense of the scale of the obstacles. The race also provides clues about which horses might handle the National Course — a Foxhunters' performance is often referenced when assessing Grand National potential.

The John Smith's Topham Handicap Chase (2m 5f, Listed, National Course)

Wait — the Topham runs on Friday (Ladies' Day), not Saturday. On Grand National Day itself the supporting National Course race is the Foxhunters'. Alongside that, the Mildmay Course hosts three or four handicap chases and hurdles that attract competitive fields of their own.

The Mildmay Course Races

The Mildmay Course — a left-handed oval sitting inside the National Course, just under 1.5 miles around with traditional birch fences — hosts the majority of the supporting card. These are proper competitive handicaps drawing horses from across the training ranks, with prize money that would headline at many smaller meetings.

The Mildmay races deserve attention if you are watching from the stands, as the course runs alongside the main grandstands and offers excellent sightlines. The contrast in atmosphere between a Mildmay handicap and the Grand National is striking — from a competitive but routine race to 70,000 people holding their breath simultaneously.

Race Times

The Grand National Day card typically starts at around 1:45pm and runs to 5:15pm, with the National itself scheduled for approximately 4:00pm. The exact schedule varies year to year depending on the number of runners and any starter delays. Always check the official Aintree website for the confirmed racecard on the day.

There is nothing in British sport quite like the atmosphere at Aintree on Grand National Saturday. Not Cheltenham on Gold Cup day, not Epsom on Derby day, not even Wembley on a cup final afternoon. The Grand National does something those events cannot: it draws in people who have no interest in racing whatsoever, people who would never normally set foot on a racecourse, and it makes them care deeply for about nine minutes.

That unusual mix is what defines the day. Seventy thousand people pack into Aintree, and the crowd is not a racing crowd in any conventional sense. There are serious racing folk — form students, National Hunt regulars, people who have followed the build-up for months — but they share the course with hen parties, corporate hospitality groups, people whose only other bet of the year is the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and people who picked their horse from the sweepstake hat that morning. Everyone is equally invested. Everyone wants their horse to win.

Before the Race

The atmosphere builds steadily through the afternoon. The Mildmay races attract real interest from those following the card, but the buzz is in the air long before the National. In the betting ring, activity peaks around an hour before the off as odds shift and word spreads. The parade ring before the Grand National is always packed — the chance to see 40 runners circling together is unlike anything else in racing. Horses that look relaxed and well within themselves at this stage often perform better than those that have sweated up by the time they reach the start.

The walk to the start is part of the spectacle. The horses hack out past the stands and down the course towards the starting gate, accompanied by handlers and watched by thousands who line the rails. For a horse making its Grand National debut, this is a test of temperament before a fence has been jumped.

The Roar

Ask anyone who has attended a Grand National and they will mention the roar. When the starter releases the tape and 40 horses thunder into Fence 1, 70,000 voices produce a sound that you feel in your chest rather than just your ears. It builds again at Becher's Brook — the fence everybody wants to see survive intact. If a horse falls there, the crowd draws breath. If the whole field gets round cleanly on the first pass, there is a collective exhale of relief.

The second circuit produces a different quality of noise: more focused, more urgent, as the field thins and the race develops. By the time the leaders turn into the long run-in from the final fence — 494 yards of flat turf that feels like a mile when your horse is in front — the roar is continuous.

The Enclosures

Where you stand shapes what you experience. The different enclosures at Aintree give very different Grand National Days.

The Steeplechase Enclosure (open on Grand National Day only) runs alongside the first few fences and gives access to the early part of the National Course. Standing close to Fences 1, 2, and 3 as 40 horses jump them in front of you is something else entirely. The proximity is something the main grandstands cannot replicate.

Tattersalls gives access to the Parade Ring and the Mildmay Course, with good views of the racecourse from the grandstand area. This is where most of the betting ring activity takes place and where the National feels most like a traditional race meeting alongside the spectacle.

The Princess Royal Stand offers premium facilities, multiple restaurants, and a view that takes in both courses. The atmosphere here is more contained but no less committed when the National is running.

After the Race

The half hour after the National is one of the stranger experiences in sport. Seventy thousand people are simultaneously elated (if their horse won), disappointed (if it didn't), or simply stunned by what they have just witnessed. The winners' presentation draws a crowd. The post-race betting debrief happens across thousands of conversations at once.

For many racegoers, the day continues into Liverpool city centre — the city embraces Grand National weekend enthusiastically, with restaurants and bars packed from early afternoon to late at night. The combination of Aintree and Liverpool makes it one of the great sporting weekends in the British calendar.

Grand National Day is the biggest day in National Hunt racing. Planning ahead makes the difference between a great day and a stressful one.

Getting There

By train: Aintree station on the Merseyrail Northern Line sits directly opposite the racecourse entrance — a 30-second walk from platform to turnstile. On Grand National Day, Merseyrail runs services every 15 minutes from Liverpool Central, with the journey taking around 15 minutes from the city centre. Services run from early morning through to well after the last race. This is by far the easiest way to travel, and thousands of racegoers use it each year.

By car: Aintree is about a mile from both the M57 and M58 motorways. Pre-booked parking is available on-site, and there are additional car parks nearby. Car parking on Grand National Day must be booked in advance — you will not find a spot by turning up without one. Traffic out after the last race can be heavy, so many drivers prefer to spend time in the bars and restaurants before leaving.

From Liverpool: Liverpool city centre is around 15 minutes by train and about the same by car in normal conditions. Plenty of racegoers based themselves in Liverpool the night before and travel in on race day. The city has hotels at every price point, and Grand National weekend is popular — book months in advance if you want decent options near the centre.

Tickets and Enclosures

Aintree operates a tiered enclosure system on Grand National Day, with prices reflecting the facilities and position available.

The Steeplechase Enclosure is the most affordable option and the only one that gives you access to the National Course fences. You are close to the early obstacles and can feel the scale of the jumps at ground level. It is standing-only in most areas and does not include access to the Parade Ring, but for the Grand National experience of being near the fences, it is hard to beat.

Tattersalls sits closer to the grandstands and gives access to the Parade Ring and the Mildmay Course. You get a fuller view of the racing and better facilities, including a wide range of food and drink options. This is where most of the bookmakers operate their pitches, making it the best enclosure for traditional cash betting with the rails bookmakers.

The Princess Royal Stand is the premium covered grandstand area with restaurants, bars, and elevated views. Facilities here include champagne lounges and hospitality areas, and it is the closest thing to a traditional top-tier racecourse experience. Prices reflect the quality of what is on offer.

All enclosures require advance booking on Grand National Day. Tickets are released months in advance and the day sells out. Check the official Aintree website early in the year if you are planning to attend.

What to Wear

Grand National Day has a dress code. Smart casual is the minimum expected in most enclosures, and in the Princess Royal Stand and premium areas, you are expected to dress smartly. Many racegoers — men and women — dress up significantly for the day. The weather in Merseyside in early April is unpredictable. It can be bright sunshine, it can be horizontal rain, and it has been known to be both in the same afternoon. Layers are sensible. Comfortable shoes matter: you will cover a fair bit of ground across the course.

The day does not have the same fashion show element as Ladies' Day on the Friday — that is Aintree's fashion event, where Liverpool turns out in full force. Grand National Saturday is smart rather than theatrical, though there is plenty of effort on show.

Food and Drink

Aintree offers a wide range of food and drink across all enclosures, from fast-food outlets near the betting ring to full restaurant menus in the Princess Royal Stand. Pre-booking a table in one of the restaurants is strongly recommended if you want a sit-down meal — walk-ins are difficult on Grand National Day. There are numerous bars and casual eating options throughout the course that do not require booking.

Accessibility

The course has extensive accessibility provision. Blue Badge parking is available, and wheelchair users have dedicated viewing areas with good sightlines. The Princess Royal and Queen Mother Stands have lifts, and there are accessible toilets with radar keys throughout. A golf buggy service operates for racegoers with mobility difficulties. If you have specific requirements, contact Aintree directly in advance.

Timing Your Day

Arrive early. The gates open several hours before the first race, and getting in early means you can explore the course, study the form, get a good spot at the Parade Ring, and watch the supporting card without rushing. The Parade Ring before the Grand National is extremely busy — if you want a decent position to see the horses before the big race, you need to claim your spot well before the runners are brought in.

The Grand National runs at around 4:00pm. After it, many racegoers leave immediately, meaning the later races can be watched in relative comfort compared to the main event. If you are planning to head into Liverpool afterwards, the trains run frequently and the wait is usually manageable.

For more on planning your visit, see our Aintree day out guide.

Betting on the Grand National is different to betting on any other race. The combination of up to 40 runners, 30 unique fences, and a course that produces more chaos than any other in Britain means that picking a winner is harder than it looks — and that the value in each-way terms often sits at much longer prices than the market leaders.

Understanding the Market

The Grand National ante-post market opens months before the race and moves significantly as entries are confirmed, weights are published, and trainers declare their hand. By the time the final field is confirmed and declared, the market usually has a handful of clear favourites at single-figure prices and a long tail of runners at 25/1, 33/1, 40/1, and beyond.

Favourites have a poor record in the National. Since 1950, the market leader has won the race fewer than fifteen times — out of more than seventy runnings. That does not mean the favourite never wins, but it does mean that backing the most prominent name in the market is historically a losing strategy. The race rewards patience, jumping ability, and sometimes sheer luck more reliably than it rewards class.

Horses that have run well in the race before — finished in the first six, jumped round cleanly, travelled through the early stages — deserve extra credit. The National Course is unlike any other in Britain, and horses that have shown they handle it tend to handle it again.

Each-Way Betting

With a field of up to 40 runners, bookmakers typically pay out on five or six places each-way, and the standard each-way terms are a quarter of the win odds for those places. This means that backing a 33/1 shot each-way returns 8/1 for a place — a significant payout if your horse finishes in the first five or six without winning.

Always compare bookmakers before placing your Grand National bet. Place terms vary, and some firms offer enhanced terms — five places at a fifth of the odds rather than a quarter, or extra places beyond the standard number — on the Grand National. The difference between a quarter and a fifth of the odds at 33/1 is significant, and it is worth five minutes of research to find the best available terms.

Many bookmakers also offer Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) on the Grand National, meaning that if the starting price is bigger than the price you took ante-post, you receive the starting price. Taking a price early under BOG can be the most efficient way to back a horse in a race where market moves are common.

Ante-Post vs On the Day

Backing a horse ante-post — before the day of the race — carries the risk that the horse does not run. Most bookmakers do not refund ante-post bets if a horse is a non-runner. However, the prices available ante-post are often better than those available on the day, particularly for horses that attract significant attention as the race approaches.

On Grand National Day itself, the market shortens significantly for the popular selections and drifts for those attracting less support. Watching the market on the morning of the race gives useful information about how the betting community is assessing each horse's chances.

The Supporting Races

The Foxhunters' Chase and the Mildmay handicaps offer betting opportunities that are often overlooked by people focused entirely on the National. These races have smaller, more knowable fields, and the form is often more straightforward to assess than the Grand National's chaotic history suggests.

The Foxhunters' in particular — an amateur race over National fences — can reward those who follow the point-to-point and hunter chase circuits closely. Horses that have shown ability in those spheres often run well here.

Responsible Betting

The Grand National attracts millions of people who do not usually bet. If this is your once-a-year flutter, keep it fun. Set a budget before you arrive — or before you open the app — and treat it as entertainment rather than investment. The race is unpredictable by design, and losing your stake is a real possibility no matter how confident you feel about your selection. You must be 18 or over to bet. For support with gambling, visit BeGambleAware.org.

For our full betting analysis of Aintree, including tips on which types of horses to follow on the National Course, see our Aintree betting guide.