Aintree Grand National Festival 2026
Aintree Racecourse is one of the most recognisable venues in British horse racing. Situated just outside Liverpool, it is best known as the home of the Grand National, a race that draws a global audience every year, especially here at Racing TV.Racing at Aintree takes place throughout the National Hunt season, although the course reaches its peak in spring when the Aintree Festival is staged. During this period, the sport’s leading horses, trainers, and jockeys compete across three days of high-quality racing.Grand National 2026
The Grand National Festival 2026 is due to take place from the 9th of April to the 11th of April, with the main race on the final day. As this is one of the most recognised events on the calendar, interest in the race builds steadily in the weeks leading up to it, with searches for runners, odds, and horse racing tips increasing significantly.Run over a distance of four miles and two and a half furlongs, the Grand National is widely regarded as one of the most demanding races in the sport. The field must navigate a series of famous fences, including Becher’s Brook, the Chair and Canal Turn, each of which plays a part in shaping the outcome.The 2026 running is expected to attract a competitive field made up of established staying chasers as well as emerging contenders. As always, attention will focus on which horses are best suited to the unique demands of Aintree and its distinctive obstacles.For those following the race, this page acts as a central hub for Grand National 2026 racecards, runners, results, and expert insight.How Many Days Is The Randox Grand National Festival
The Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse takes place over three days:•Opening Day - Thursday 9th April
•Ladies Day - Friday 10th April
•Randox Grand National Day - Saturday 11th April
Watch Aintree Live
Racing TV provides live coverage from Aintree Racecourse throughout the season, including every race from the Aintree Festival, allowing you to watch horse racing, including the Grand National.Viewers can watch races as they happen, follow analysis from industry experts, and keep track of developments throughout the day. Coverage is available across a range of devices, making it easy to follow Aintree whether at home or on the move.The Grand National is also shown on free-to-air television in the UK, although Racing TV offers more detailed coverage across the full three-day meeting.Aintree Racecards, Results and Tips
When looking to follow the action throughout Aintree, having up-to-date information is essential when following races such as the Grand National. These horse racecards provide the latest entries, form, and betting markets, while results are updated shortly after each race.Expert Aintree tips and analysis are also available at Racing TV, offering insight into how races may unfold and which runners are worth closer attention. This becomes particularly important in the build-up to the Grand National, when interest in predictions and trends increases.Aintree Festival and Key Races
The Aintree Festival is staged over three days and features a mix of Grade 1 contests and competitive handicaps. Although the Grand National is the centrepiece, the supporting races play a major role in the meeting’s appeal.The opening day sets the tone with top-level racing, while the second day pairs strong fields with one of the season's most popular social occasions. The final day focuses on the Grand National, which brings the festival to a close.Races such as the Liverpool Hurdle and the Aintree Bowl regularly attract high-quality runners and add further depth to the meeting, making it essential to keep up to date with Aintree results.Aintree Course Guide
Aintree Racecourse offers a test that differs from other jump tracks in the UK. The Grand National course is known for its scale and the nature of its fences, while the Mildmay course is used for more conventional National Hunt races.The Grand National fences remain central to the track’s identity. Becher’s Brook is noted for its drop on landing, the Chair presents a significant obstacle late in the race, and Canal Turn requires horses to adjust quickly after jumping. These features contribute to the challenge and help explain why experience and jumping ability are so important at Aintree.Aintree Free Bets
Aintree Racecourse is not only one of the most famous venues in British horse racing, but it also marks a hugely anticipated period for bettors each year. With the spotlight firmly on the legendary Grand National, bookmakers roll out a wide range of promotions, making Aintree a prime opportunity for racing fans to potentially find offers to use in their bets.From money-back free bets and enhanced odds to money-back specials on Grand National selections, there are plenty of Aintree free bets available. While many come as welcome deals for new customers, the festival period also sees bookmakers awarding existing players with reload bonuses and exclusive Grand National betting offers, ensuring there is a wide range of promotions available during the Grand National and other Aintree events.Latest Horse Racing News and Updates
With popular events such as the Grand National 2026 approaching, attention will turn to the horses that might participate throughout these races. Watch out for developments such as injuries and the horse's form in the weeks leading up to the festival, which often influence betting markets and public opinion.Racing TV covers the latest news from Aintree, including previews, interviews, and post-race analysis, ensuring viewers and racing fans stay informed in the lead-up to one of the biggest events on the sporting calendar. If you are interested in learning more about the history of the Grand National and Aintree, visitors can explore the racing results archives available at Racing TV with our horse racing replays. Aintree is home to the
Grand National, the most famous race in the world which is the climax to a three-day Festival meeting in April every year. The racecourse hosts five other fixtures and is a leading conference centre in the north west of England.
The Grand National course is triangular with its apex (at the Canal Turn) the furthest point from the stands. Inside is the easier Mildmay course which has birch fences. A major feature of the Mildmay course is its sharpness and the fences there are stiffer than used to be the case. The Randox Health Grand National is run over two complete circuits taking in sixteen spruce fences first time around and fourteen the second and still provides one of the toughest tests ever devised for horse and rider. Since 2013, the run to the first fence in the Grand National was reduced in a bid to improve safety, resulting in the overall race distance shortening from the usual 4½m, though the run-in is still 494 yards long and includes an elbow.
Aintree is part of The Jockey Club which has been at the heart of British racing for more than 260 years. The Jockey Club is the largest commercial group in the sport, and runs the largest racecourse group in the UK by attendances, total prize money, contribution to prize money and quality racing and more than 3,000 acres of world-class training grounds in Newmarket, Lambourn and Epsom Downs; the National Stud breeding enterprise and education provider; and the charity for racing's people in need, Racing Welfare. Governed by Royal Charter with Her Majesty The Queen as its Patron, every penny The Jockey Club makes it puts back into British racing.
