Grand National start times, dates and race day programs
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.
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.
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 Times | Watch | Race | Distance | Grade |
---|---|---|---|---|
1:45pm | Watch at Paddy Power | Manifesto Novices’ Chase | 2m 4f | 1 |
2:20pm | Watch at Unibet | Anniversary 4YO Juvenile Hurdle | 2m 1f | 1 |
2:55pm | Watch at William Hill | Aintree Bowl Chase | 3m 1f | 1 |
3:30pm | Watch at Betfair | Aintree Hurdle | 2m 4f | 1 |
4:05pm | Watch at Unibet | Foxhunters’ Chase | 2m 5f | Handicap |
4:40pm | Watch at William Hill | Red Rum Handicap Chase | 2m | 3 |
5:15pm | Watch at Paddy Power | Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat | 2m 1f | 2 |
Grand National Ladies Day – Friday 12th April 2024
Grand National Start Times | Watch | Race | Distance | Grade |
---|---|---|---|---|
1:45pm | Watch at William Hill | Mildmay Novices’ Chase | 3m 1f | 1 |
2:20pm | Watch at Paddy Power | William Hill Handicap Hurdle | 2m 4f | 3 |
2:55pm | Watch at Betfair | Top Novices’ Hurdle | 2m ½f | 1 |
3:30pm | Watch at Betfair | Melling Chase | 2m 4f | 1 |
4:05pm | Watch at William Hill | Topham Handicap Chase | 2m 5f | 3 |
4:40pm | Watch at Paddy Power | Sefton Novices’ Hurdle | 3m ½f | 1 |
5:15pm | Watch at Paddy Power | Lydiate Handicap Hurdle | 2m ½f | Handicap |
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 Times | Watch | Race | Distance | Grade |
---|---|---|---|---|
1:20pm | Watch at William Hill | Bridle Road Handicap Hurdle | 3m ½f | 3 |
1:55pm | Watch at Paddy Power | Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle | 2m 4f | 1 |
2:30pm | Watch at Unibet | William Hill Hanicap Chase | 3m 1f | 3 |
3:05pm | Watch at Betfair | JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle | 3m ½f | 1 |
4:00pm | Watch at William Hill | Randox Grand National Chase | 4m 2½f | 3 |
5:00pm | Watch at Unibet | Maghull Novices’ Chase | 2m | 1 |
5:35pm | Watch at William Hill | Standard Open NH Flat Race | 2m 1f | 2 |
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