Grand National start times, dates and race day programs

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The Grand National race takes centre stage at Aintree every April, but there are actually three days of elite jumps racing across the duration of the Grand National Festival. The 2024 Grand National times and schedule have been reorganised following the decision to move the big race to earlier on the Saturday afternoon. 

What date and time is the Grand National?

The Grand National 2024 will start at 4pm on Saturday 13th April. The post time has been changed from the 5:15pm start of recent years, but the big race will still air live on ITV1.

The move to a later race time was an attempt to attract more viewers once the 3pm football was over. However, the 2024 race has been moved back to an earlier afternoon start time to avoid the Aintree ground drying out.

Image via @Coral on Twitter

The Grand National Festival’s highlight is undoubtedly the 34-runner showpiece, but there are a host of top races spread across three days at Aintree each April. The 2024 Aintree Grand National meeting kicks off on Thursday 11th April. The start time for the first race is 1.45pm, with ITV1 broadcasting the biggest races, and many leading bookmakers also providing free streaming options.

The action continues over the three-day event, with Ladies Day on Friday and Grand National Saturday providing the pinnacle of the meeting.

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As the Aintree gates open around 10.30am each day, racegoers will have plenty of time to get into the course before the first race. With bars and restaurants open all day, plus corporate boxes and suites offering lunch before the racing starts, many racegoers will flock to the track early to make the most of their day.

The track will also have other entertainment going on so, if you’re attending the 2024 Grand National meeting on any of the three days, be sure to explore. Generally, there are shops and stalls onsite that will sell racing fashion items or racing memorabilia like pictures or books.

Also look out for competitions dotted around the track – for example, ‘Best Dressed Lady’, Best ‘Dressed Man’, or ‘Best Dressed Couple’. There can often be some decent sponsors prizes for the winners, like cash or even a car!

Here are the confirmed start times and details for each race over the three days, to help you plan your Grand National viewing.

Grand National Opening Day – Thursday 11th April 2024

Grand National Start TimesWatchRaceDistanceGrade
1:45pm Watch at Paddy Power Manifesto Novices’ Chase2m 4f1
2:20pm Watch at Unibet Anniversary 4YO Juvenile Hurdle2m 1f1
2:55pm Watch at William Hill Aintree Bowl Chase3m 1f1
3:30pm Watch at Betfair Aintree Hurdle2m 4f1
4:05pm Watch at Unibet Foxhunters’ Chase2m 5fHandicap
4:40pm Watch at William Hill Red Rum Handicap Chase2m3
5:15pm Watch at Paddy Power Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat2m 1f2
Grand National Thursday
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Grand National Ladies Day – Friday 12th April 2024

Grand National Start TimesWatchRaceDistanceGrade
1:45pm Watch at William Hill Mildmay Novices’ Chase3m 1f1
2:20pm Watch at Paddy Power William Hill Handicap Hurdle2m 4f3
2:55pm Watch at Betfair Top Novices’ Hurdle2m ½f1
3:30pm Watch at Betfair Melling Chase2m 4f1
4:05pm Watch at William Hill Topham Handicap Chase2m 5f3
4:40pm Watch at Paddy Power Sefton Novices’ Hurdle3m ½f1
5:15pm Watch at Paddy Power Lydiate Handicap Hurdle2m ½fHandicap
Grand National Ladies Day
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Grand National Day – Saturday 13th April 2024

The revised start times for Grand National Day 2024 are now confirmed. The Grand National itself will begin earlier than in recent years, at 4pm.

Grand National Start TimesWatchRaceDistanceGrade
1:20pm Watch at William Hill Bridle Road Handicap Hurdle 3m ½f3
1:55pm Watch at Paddy Power Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle2m 4f1
2:30pm Watch at Unibet William Hill Hanicap Chase3m 1f3
3:05pm Watch at Betfair JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle3m ½f1
4:00pm Watch at William Hill Randox Grand National Chase4m 2½f3
5:00pm Watch at Unibet Maghull Novices’ Chase2m1
5:35pm Watch at William Hill Standard Open NH Flat Race2m 1f2
2024 Grand National Day
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Grand National Betway Bowl Chase

Grand National Festival – Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool, Britain – 12th April 2018. Might Bite ridden by Nico de Boinville in action (R) before winning the 14:50 Betway Bowl Chase. Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY @SCANPIX

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