Grand National Thursday – Opening Day
Last Updated 2 days ago | By The GrandNational.org.uk StaffThe three-day Aintree Grand National Festival gets going each year on a Thursday, with plenty of high-class jumps racing in store and racegoers set for a real treat.
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 leading National Hunt yards in 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 2026 the three-day meeting will begin on Thursday 9th April 20266. The Grand National Ladies Day follows on Friday 10th April. With the 2026 Cheltenham Festival finishing in mid March, and the opening day of the 2026 Aintree Festival on 9th April, there’s nearly a month between the two.
How many races are on at Aintree Thursday?
Thursday is the opening day of the 2026 Grand National, with 7 races for fans to enjoy. Horse racing fans will be treated to a feast of high quality racing on Grand National Thursday, with over £900,000 in prize money up for grabs on the day.
| Grand National Start Times | Watch | Race | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:45pm | Watch at Paddy Power | Boodles Juvenile Hurdle | 2m 4f |
| 2:20pm | Watch at Unibet | Manifesto Novices’ Chase | 2m 1f |
| 2:55pm | Watch at William Hill | Aintree Bowl | 3m 1f |
| 3:30pm | Watch at Betfair | Foxhunters’ Chase | 2m 5f |
| 4:05pm | Watch at Unibet | Aintree Hurdle | 2m 4f |
| 4:40pm | Watch at William Hill | Red Rum Chase | 2m |
| 5:15pm | Watch at Paddy Power | Mares’ NH Flat Race | 2m 1f |
Why go to Grand National Thursday?
Quite simply, Grand National Thursday is a chance to see top class racing at relatively affordable prices.
Four Grade One races, with the anticipation of the Grand National itself at fever pitch creates a wonderful day at the races at around half the cost you’d be paying to attend on the Saturday.
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.
What time does Aintree races start Thursday?
The first race at Aintree Racecourse during the 2026 Grand National Festival will start at 1:45pm on Thursday 9th April 2026, with the horses and riders heading onto the track around 15 minutes before the start of the race. The first race is the Boodles Juvenile Hurdle, while the day’s feature race is the Foxhunters’ Chase at 3.30pm.
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The GrandNational.org.uk Staff
