With the Cheltenham Festival over for another year, our attention turns to the next big meeting on the National Hunt calendar. So check out the 2026 Aintree Grand National date, race schedule and how to watch all the action unfold.
Below we will cover everything you need to know about the upcoming Aintree spectacle, including the 2026 Grand National date and the race schedule for all three days of the meeting.
2026 Grand National Date – When Does The Meeting Start?
The 2026 Grand National date is Saturday 11th April, but the meeting is held over three days and officially starts on Thursday 9th, two days earlier.
Historic stories from Grand National winners make this meeting the most special in all of jumps racing and we’re expecting the 2026 edition to be no different.
Grand National Meeting Dates & Race Schedule
With three days of racing to indulge in at Aintree, see the full race schedule below.
Thursday 9th April 2026 – Opening Day
- 1:45pm – Boodles Anniversary 4-y-o Juvenile Hurdle, 2m4f (Class 1) (Grade 1)
- 2:20pm – William Hill Manifesto Novices’ Steeple Chase, 2m1f (Class 1) (Grade 1)
- 2:55pm – Aintree Bowl Steeple Chase, 3m1f (Class 1) (Grade 1)
- 3:30pm – Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase, 2m5f (Class 2)
- 4:05pm – William Hill Aintree Hurdle, 2m4f (Class 1) (Grade 1)
- 4:40pm – Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Steeple Chase, 2m (Class 1)
- 5:15pm – Goffs Mares’ Open National Hunt Flat Race, 2m1f (Class 1) (Grade 2)
Friday 10th April 2026 – Ladies Day
- 1:45pm – William Hill Handicap Hurdle, 3m1f (Class 1)
- 2:20pm – William Hill Mildmay Novices’ Steeple Chase, 2m4f (Class 1) (Grade 1)
- 2:55pm – Top Novices’ Hurdle, 2m 1/2f (Class 1) (Grade 1)
- 3:30pm – JCB Melling Steeple Chase, 2m4f (Class 1) (Grade 1)
- 4:05pm – Randox Topham Handicap Steeple Chase, 2m5f (Class 1)
- 4:40pm – Oddschecker Sefton Novices’ Hurdle, 3m (Class 1) (Grade 1)
- 5:15pm – Debenhams Handicap Hurdle (Conditional/Amateur Jockeys), 2m 1/2f (Class 2)
Saturday 11th April 2026 – Randox Grand National Day
- 12:45pm – Hallgarten And Novum Wines Maghull Novices’ Steeple Chase, 2m (Class 1) (Grade 1)
- 1:20pm – William Hill Handicap Hurdle, 3m (Class 1)
- 1:55pm – Turners Novices’ Hurdle, 2m4f (Class 1) (Grade 1)
- 2:30pm – William Hill (Freebooter) Handicap Steeple Chase, 3m1f (Class 1)
- 3:05pm – Liverpool Hurdle, 3m 1/2f (Class 1) (Grade 1)
- 4:00pm – Randox Grand National Steeple Chase, 4m2 1/2f (Class 1)
- 5:00pm – Weatherbys Open National Hunt Flat Race, 2m1f (Class 1) (Grade 2)
Why Is There A Bigger Break Before & After Grand National?
The break before after the Aintree Grand National is primarily for the safety of horses and jockeys. With longer between the fifth and sixth race (Grand National), it gives staff at the track plenty of time to prepare for the race and get all the horses down to the start safely.
There could be as many as 34 horses contesting this year’s Grand National so it would take a lot of time to get them all down to the start on time.
Who Won The 2025 Grand National?
Last year’s winner was Nick Rockett, who lines up a prep run at Down Royal before heading back to Aintree in a bid to defend his crown.
- 1st – Nick Rockett (Willie Mullins) @ 33/1
- 2nd – I Am Maximus (Willie Mullins) @ 7/1
- 3rd – Grangeclare West (Willie Mullins) @ 33/1
- 4th – Iroko (Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero) @ 13/2 f
- 5th – Meetingofthewaters (Willie Mullins) @ 20/1
- 6th – Senior Chief (Henry De Bromhead) @ 40/1
- 7th – Minella Cocooner (Willie Mullins) @ 18/1
With five of the first seven home in last year’s race, Willie Mullins has to be the favourite to win the race again this time around.
While the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse has been one of the best Grand National Trial races in recent years – a race Grangeclare West won in 2026.
WATCH: Nick Rockett Wins 2025 Grand National
NICK ROCKETT leads home a 1-2-3 for Willie Mullins in the 2025 Randox Grand National! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/RzMhjuQ7Ip
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 5, 2025
Nick Rockett’s trainer Willie Mullins has 121 Chetltenham Festival winners now and he also had the 1-2-3 in last year’s renewal of the Aintree Grand National. Could history repeat? See the betting odds below.
2026 Grand National Betting Odds
*Note – these odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change
- I Am Maximus (Willie Mullins) @ 10/1
- Grangeclare West (Willie Mullins) @ 10/1
- Haiti Couleurs (Rebecca Curtis) @ 12/1
- Iroko (Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero) @ 12/1
- Jagwar (Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero) @ 12/1
- Johnnywho (Jonjo & AJ O’Neill) @ 16/1
- Monty’s Star (Henry De Bromhead) @ 20/1
- Captain Cody (Willie Mullins) @ 20/1
- Final Orders (Gavin Cromwell) @ 25/1
- Oscars Brother (Connor King) @ 25/1
- Panic Attack (Dan Skelton) @ 25/1
- Nick Rockett (Willie Mullins) @ 28/1
- Favori De Champdou (Gordon Elliott) @ 33/1
- BAR 33/1
How To Watch 2026 Aintree Grand National – TV Channel & Times
You will be able to watch the 2026 Grand National on ITV Racing as the cameras head to Merseyside for all three days of the festival.
There will be six races shown each day on ITV Racing with the last race of seven shown exclusively on Racing TV.
