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The pinnacle of the National Hunt racing season is upon us, with the Grand National taking place today at Aintree.
Only three weeks on from the Cheltenham Festival comes another highlight of the British sporting calendar as Liverpool plays host to the world’s most famous steeplechase.
The three-day meeting is headlined by the feature race, which will include 2024 winner I Am Maximus.
The action at Aintree began on Thursday, followed by Ladies’ Day on Friday and then the showpiece comes today at 4pm.
Here’s everything you need to know…
When is the Grand National 2026?
The 2026 Grand National meeting runs from Thursday, April 9, to Saturday, April 11, with the Grand National steeplechase taking place at 4pm BST on the third day.
A new, earlier time for the feature race of the meeting was introduced in 2024, bringing the race forward by 75 minutes, and remains in place for the 2026 edition.
As ever, the famous Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool will host the race.
Nick Rockett won last year’s race
Peter Byrne/PA Wire
How to watch the Grand National 2026?
TV channel: In the UK, the Grand National meeting is being shown live and free-to-air on ITV1, with coverage starting at 12.45pm BST, today, Saturday.
ITV will broadcast every race bar the final of the day, with subscription channel Racing TV the only place to watch all the action across the three days.
Coverage of the National itself is from 3:15pm BST with the race getting underway at 4pm.
Live stream: The race will also be available to watch live and for free online via the ITVX app and website.
Live blog: You can follow every race live from Grand National Day at Aintree with Standard Sport’s live blog.
Grand National 2026 weather forecast
The UK has been blessed with sunshine of late, but there is expected to be showers across all three days of the meeting.
Hitting a high of just 12C, expect overcast conditions with occasional sun at Aintree.
Grand National 2026 prize money
The total prize fund for the race is £1 million, the highest amount of money that any race over obstacles is contested for, and it breaks down as follows:
- Winner – £500,000
- Second place – £200,000
- Third place – £100,000
- Fourth place – £65,000
- Fifth place – £40,000
- Sixth place – £30,000
- Seventh place – £20,000
- Eight place – £ 15,000
- Ninth place – £10,000
- Tenth place – £5000
Aintree hosts the three-day meeting
Getty Images
Grand National 2026 latest odds
- I Am Maximus: 7/1
- Panic Attack: 7/1
- Grangeclare West: 8/1
- Jagwar: 8/1
- Oscars Brother: 12/1
- Montys Star: 12/1
- Jonnywho: 12/1
- Haiti Couleurs: 20/1
- Captain Cody: 16/1
- Gorgeous Tom: 20/1
- Gerri Colombe: 20/1
- Perceval Legallois: 25/1
- Final Orders: 20/1
- Lecky Watson: 22/1
- Champ Kiely: 25/1
- Stellar Story: 25/1
- Spanish Harlem: 28/1
- Quai De Bourbon: 28/1
- Jordans: 28/1
- Banbridge: 33/1
- Favori De Champdou: 33/1
- Three Card Brag: 40/1
- Mr Vango: 40/1
- High Class Hero: 40/1
- Twig: 40/1
- Firefox: 50/1
- Marble Sand: 50/1
- Top Of The Bill: 50/1
- Imperial Saint: 50/1
- Beauport: 66/1
- The Real Whacker: 66/1
- Answer To Kayf: 66/1
- Amirite: 80/1
- Aint That A Shame: 100/1
- Deep Cave: 100/1
- Buddy One: 150/1
(Odds subject to change.)
12:45: Hallgarten & Novum Wines Maghull Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
13:20: William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
13:55: Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
14:30: William Hill Handicap Chase (Freebooter) (Premier Handicap)
15:05: Jet2 Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1)
16:00: Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
17:00: Weatherbys Nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat (Grade 2)
Thursday, April 9 results
13:45: Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1)
- Mange Tout
- Selma De Vary
- Indian River
14:20: William Hill Manifesto Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
- Koktail Divin
- Blueking D’oroux
- Mambonumberfive
14:55: Racing Welfare Bowl Chase (Grade 1)
- Jango Baie
- Protektorat
- Pic D’Orhy
15:30: Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase
- Barton Snow
- Lets Go Champ
- Take All
16:05: William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1)
- Brighterdaysahead
- The New Lion
- Alexei
16:40: Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
- Ryan’s Rocket
- Highlands Legacy
- Sans Bruit
17:15: Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2)
- Nan’s Choice
- Lennon Grove
- Fairy Park
13:45: William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
- Wellington Arch
- Ike Sport
- Favour And Fortune
14:20: William Hill Mildmay Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
- Gold Dancer
- Regent’s Stroll
- Salver
14:55: Thatprizeguy Top Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
- Storming George
- Sinnatra
- Baron Noir
15:30: Jcb Melling Chase (Grade 1)
- Grey Dawning
- Solness
- Heart Wood
16:05: Randox Topham Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
- Will The Wise
- Ile Atlantique
- Madara
16:40: Oddschecker Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
- Zeus Power
- Catchintsavo
- Johnny’s Jury
17:15: Debenhams Handicap Hurdle (Conditional Jockeys & Amateur Riders)
Follow the Grand National live with Standard Sport!
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