image source, Getty Images
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venue: Aintree Racecourse date: Saturday, April 13th time: 16:00 BST |
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coverage: Commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live. You can watch the live text on his website and app on BBC Sport. |
Follow the world's most famous horse races here on the BBC with live text and radio coverage from Aintree.
Will last year's winner Coach Rambler become the second horse since the legendary Red Rum to defend his title?
The three-day Grand National Festival begins on Thursday April 11th, with the big race itself taking place on Saturday April 13th with an early start time of 16:00 BST.
Listen to commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live, follow along on the BBC Sport website and on the BBC Sport mobile app.
As a result of a safety review, the start time of the National was moved up by 75 minutes and the maximum number of runners was reduced from 40 to 34.
Colac Rambler is aiming to follow in Tiger Roll's footsteps (2018 and 2019) as the only double-winner since Red Rum's triple in the 1970s.
aintree race schedule
Thursday, April 11th – Opening day
13.45 – Manifest Beginner's Steeple Chase (Class 1) Grade 1 2m 4m
14.20 – Boodles Memorial 4yo Juvenile Hurdle (Class 1) Grade 1 2m 1f
14.55 – Aintree Bowl Steeple Chase (Class 1) Grade 1 3m 1f
15.30 – William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Class 1) Grade 1 2m 4f
16.05 – Randox Foxhunters Open Hunters Steeple Chase 2m 5f
16.40 – Crows Brothers Red Rum Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 1) Grade 3 2m
17.15 – Goffs UK Nickel Coin Filly Standard Open NH Flat (Grade 2) 2m 1f
Friday 12th April – Ladies' Day
coverage: BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 14:00 – 16:15 BST – Details subject to change.
13.45 – Mildmay Beginner's Steeple Chase (Class 1) Grade 1 3m 1st Floor
14.20 – William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Class 1) Grade 3 2m 4f
14.55 – TrustATrader Top Beginner's Hurdle (Class 1) Grade 1 2m 1/2f
15.30 – My Pension Expert Melling Chase (Grade 1) 2m 4f
16.05 – Randox helps race against dementia Topham Chase (Grade 3) 2m 5f
16.40 – Cavani Menswear Sefton Beginner's Hurdle (Class 1) Grade 1 3m 1/2f
17.15 – Lydiate Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) (Conditional and Amateur Jockeys) 2m1/2f
Saturday, April 13th – National Foundation Day
coverage: Build and commentate on the National game live on BBC Radio 5 from Aintree. Read live text commentary, reactions and reports on his website and app on BBC Sport.
13.20 – Bridle Road Handicap Hurdle (Class 1) Grade 3 3m 1/2f
13.55 – Turner Mersey Beginner's Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f
14.30 – William Hill Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 1) Grade 3 3m 1f
15.05 – JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (Class 1) Grade 1 3m 1/2f
16.00 – Randox Grand National Steeple Chase (Grade 3) 4m 2 1/2f
17.00 – Maghull Beginner's Steeple Chase (Class 1) Grade 1 2m
17.35 – Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) 2m 1f
grand national course
Up to 34 horses and their riders must complete two laps of the course, covering 4.5 miles and jumping over 30 fences.
The chair is the tallest of the 16 fences at 5 feet 2 inches, but only works on the first lap along with the water jump.
The other 14 fences, including Betcher's Brook, Canal Turn and Valentine's Brook, will be jumped twice.
The course takes approximately 9-11 minutes, depending on the day's conditions.
