Grand National 2025: Guide to three-day festival

The Randox Grand National festival opens at Aintree racecourse later.

More than 150,000 racegoers are expected at the three-day event which is estimated to boost the economy by about £60m.

Aintree racecourse, in Sefton, has hosted the festival since 1839, with Red Rum the most successful horse in Grand National history having won the steeplechase race three times.

This year, Saturday's main event is expected to be watched by 600m people worldwide, with 2024's Grand National winner I am Maximus getting the chance to defend his title.

Here is a guide on how to get to the festival and when to see the racing.

Racegoers heading to the iconic Aintree meeting are advised to plan ahead, use public transport where possible and leave plenty of time.

Merseyrail is operating a special service during the festival and said there would be trains running to Aintree station every seven and a half minutes.

If travelling by bus, the 300, 310 & 345 services run regularly between Queen Square bus station and the Aintree area.

Stagecoach will be operating a regular shuttle bus service from Liverpool city centre to Aintree Racecourse on all three days of the festival.

Shuttle buses will depart from Elliot Street [Stop GE] and return shuttles will depart from Park Lane (opposite Aintree rail station) - return trips will be running on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 April only.

For those travelling by road to Aintree Racecourse, follow the A59 to Liverpool and the yellow/tourism signs as you approach the racecourse for routes to the car parks - which must be booked in advance.

However, Merseyside Police are advising people to use public transport as there are a number of road closures, diversions and traffic management measures in place and heavy traffic is expected on the A59.

Gates open at 11:00 BST on Opening Day, which is often thought of as a day for true racing aficionados and can often be the place where new talent in the horse racing world will emerge.

This year, the 2023 champion hurdler Constitution Hill, trained by Nicky Henderson, returns to action after falling in the big race at Cheltenham last month when trying to regain his crown.

Grey Dawning, trained by Dan Skelton, is likely to go off favourite for the Bowl, with Spillane's Tower and Gaelic Warrior among rivals.

Willitgoahead and Lifetime Ambition are among hopefuls in the Foxhunters' Chase over the National fences.

The race times are as follows:

13:45: EBC Group Manifesto Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 2m 4f

14:20: Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f

14:55: Aintree Bowl Chase (Grade 1) 3m 1f

15:30: William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f

16:05: Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase 2m 5f

16:40: Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase 2m

17:15: Goffs Nickel Coin Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race 2m 1f

Ladies Day, the second day of the annual meeting is all about glamour and style, alongside the horseracing on the course.

The gates open at 10:30 BST - expect bright outfits and big hats as the crowd goes all out.

It will also see the Style Awards, where two best dressed racegoers will be crowned, along with the most sustainably dressed racegoer.

Here is the schedule for the second day of the Aintree meeting:

13:45: Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 3m 1f

14:20: William Hill Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f

14:55: Trustatrader Top Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m

15:30: My Pension Expert Melling Chase (Grade 1) 2m 4f

16:05: Randox Supporting Prostate Cancer UK Topham Handicap Chase 2m 5f

16:40: Sefton Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m ½f

17:15: Hallgarten and Novum Wines Handicap Hurdle 2m ½f

Gates open at 10:00 BST on Saturday, but all eyes will be on the 34 runners and riders taking on 30 unique fences for the main event, which takes place at at 16:00.

The 2024 winner I Am Maximus, trained by Willie Mullins, is among the leading contenders for owner JP McManus, along with Iroko and Perceval Legallois.

The latter is trained by Gavin Cromwell, who also runs 2023 runner-up Vanillier and Stumptown, winner of the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham in March.

Last year's Irish Grand National victor Intense Raffles and bargain buy Hewick, who cost just £800, are among other hopefuls.

The schedule for Grand National Day is as follows:

13:20: William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle 3m ½f

13:55: Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f

14:30: William Hill Freebooter Handicap Chase 3m 1f

15:05: Liverpool Hurdle 3m ½f

16:00: Randox Grand National 4m 2½f

17:00: Maghull Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 2m

17:35: Weatherbys NHStallion.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race 2m 1f

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