Grand National Thursday – Liverpool’s NHS day
The three-day Aintree Grand National Festival gets going each year on Thursday. In 2022, the opening day will mark the efforts of the NHS during the pandemic, with Aintree Racecourse donating 10,000 Grand National Thursday tickets to NHS workers across Merseyside, to show appreciation for their efforts. They’re in for a real treat, with plenty of high-class jumps racing in store.
Despite the crowds being smaller than on Grand National day, it remains a hugely popular day on the jumps racing calendar. The Aintree racecourse can expect around 35,000 people to come through the turnstiles and, outside the Cheltenham Festival, this is one of the most popular racing days for jumps racing fans. The racing gets going on Merseyside at 1:45pm and, with seven top-class races to enjoy, the Thursday card always attracts runners from National Hunt yards from both the UK and Ireland.
Grand National Festival – Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool, Britain – April 12, 2018 Balnaslow ridden by Derek O’Connor before going on to win the 16:05 Randox Health Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY @SCANPIX
When is Grand National Thursday?
The date of the Aintree Grand National Meeting can often vary and this is mainly due when Easter falls each year. In 2022 the three-day meeting will begin on Thursday 7th April 2022. With the 2022 Cheltenham Festival finishing on Friday 18th March, and the opening day of the 2022 Aintree on the 7th April, there are 20 days between the two. This gives horses that would have raced at Cheltenham limited time to recover, so it remains to be seen whether the top horses will run at both these big festivals in 2022.
| Grand National Start Times | Watch | Race | Distance | Prize Money £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:45pm | Watch at Paddy Power | The Merseyrail Manifesto Novices’ Steeple Chase (Grade 1) | 2m 4f | 100,000 |
| 2:20pm | Watch at Unibet | The Doom Bar Anniversary 4YO Juvenile Hurdle (Grand 1) | 2m 1f | 100,000 |
| 2:50pm | Watch William Hill | The Betway Bowl Steeple Chase (Grade 1) | 3m 1f | 150,000 |
| 3:25pm | Watch at Betfair | The Betway Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) | 2m 4f | 200,000 |
| 4:05pm | Watch at Unibet | The Randox Health Foxhunters’ Steeple Chase (Class 2) | 2m 5f | 40,000 |
| 4:40pm | Watch William Hill | The Betway Red Rum Handicap Steeple Chase (Grade 3) | 2m | 90,000 |
| 5:15pm | Watch at Paddy Power | The Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat (Grade 2) | 2m 1f | 45,000 |
Why go to Grand National Thursday?
As in 2021, Grand National Thursday will be called Liverpool’s NHS Day. Following the events of the pandemic, last year’s intention was to donate 10,000 tickets to health workers across Merseyside. However, due to the meeting being held behind closed doors, the NHS workers will now be welcomed to Aintree on Thursday 7th April 2022.
Sporting heroes from the area may also be present, with stars like Michael Owen, Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Sharp and Olympic gold medallist Sam Quek ready to mingle with the Aintree racegoers. Some say this is the BEST day on the UK Jumps Racing calendar, offering FOUR grade one races.
Grand National Thursday race times & running order
- 1.45 The Merseyrail Manifesto Novices’ Steeple Chase (Grade 1) 2m 4f
- 2.20 The Doom Bar Anniversary 4YO Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 1f
- 2.50 The Betway Bowl Steeple Chase (Grade 1) 3m 1f
- 3.25 The Betway Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f
- 4.05 The Randox Health Foxhunters’ Steeple Chase (Class 2) 2m 5f
- 4.40 The Betway Red Rum Handicap Steeple Chase (Grade 3) 2m
- 5.15 The Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat (Grade 2) 2m 1f
