Need to know what time the 2016 Grand National gets underway? Or which of the three days is Ladies Day? We’ve put together a 2016 Grand National meeting schedule with all the answers, including race-times for all three days.
The 2016 Cheltenham Festival may already be just a memory, but thoughts now turn towards the next big jumps racing fixture, and the three-day Aintree Grand National meeting is the next top-class bonanza meeting to come over the horizon.
Getting underway on Thursday 7 April, and over the course of three days, there is plenty of classy action to look forward to, not least with the main event itself – the Grand National – which takes place on the third day. Before then though, there are two days of high class racing with several Grade One contests which could see several Cheltenham Festival performers line up once again.
THURSDAY 7 APRIL – GRAND OPENING DAY
Getting the fantastic three-day Aintree Festival underway, the seven-race fixture includes four cracking Grade One contests, accompanied by live music and entertainment after racing for racegoers to enjoy.
Gates open for the opening day at 10am , with the first race getting underway at 1.40pm. The Crabbie’s Fox Hunters’ Chase (4.05pm) gives racegoers their first opportunity of the three days to get a look at the Grand National fences.
1:40 – Merseyrail Manifesto Novices´ Chase (Grade 1) Cl1 2m3f200y
2:15 – Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) Cl1 2m209y
2:50 – Betfred Bowl Chase (Grade 1) Cl1 3m210y
3:25 – Doom Bar Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) Cl1 2m4f
4:05 – Crabbie´s Fox Hunters´ Chase Cl2 2m5f19y
4:40 – Red Rum Handicap Chase (Grade 3) Cl1 1m7f176y
5:15 – Goffs Nickel Coin Mares´ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) Cl1 2m209y
FRIDAY 8 APRIL – LADIES’ DAY
Girls, dig out your finest and bring a touch of elegance and glamour to the races as Ladies’ Day provides the ideal opportunity for racegoers to dress to the nines and compete in the style stakes. And don’t forget there is plenty of top-class horse racing action taking place too!
The Grand National fences will be in action at 4.05pm as the Crabbie’s Topham Chase goes to post.
Gates for day two open at 10am, with the first race getting underway at 1.40pm.
1:40 – Alder Hey Children´s Charity Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) Cl1 2m4f
2:15 – Top Novices´ Hurdle (Grade 1) Cl1 2m103y
2:50 – Betfred Mildmay Novices´ Chase (Grade 1) Cl1 3m210y
3:25 – JLT Melling Chase (Grade 1) Cl1 2m3f200y
4:05 – Crabbie´s Topham Chase (Handicap) (Grade 3) Cl1 2m5f19y
4:40 – Doom Bar Sefton Novices´ Hurdle (Grade 1) Cl1 3m149y
5:15 – Weatherbys Private Bank Champion Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) Cl1 2m209y
FRIDAY 9 APRIL – GRAND NATIONAL DAY
The world’s most famous steeplechase spearheads the action on the third day of the Aintree Festival, and the spectacular event has been moved to fill the penultimate race slot of the day, with a start time of 5.15pm.
A race where legends are forged, the race will once again stop the nation as the tapes go up and forty runners will bear down on the first of the fearsome Aintree fences that include Becher’s Brook, Canal Turn, Valentine’s, Foinavon and The Chair.
As with previous days, gates open at 10am for the third day, with the opening race of the seven-race card going to post at 1.40pm.
1:45 – Aintree Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) Cl1 3m149y
2:25 – EZ Trader Mersey Novices´ Hurdle (Grade 1) Cl1 2m4f
3:00 – Doom Bar Maghull Novices´ Chase (Grade 1) Cl1 1m7f176y
3:40 – Liverpool Stayers´ Hurdle (Grade 1) Cl1 3m149y
4:20 – Betfred Handicap Chase (Listed Race) Cl1 3m210y
5:15 – Crabbie´s Grand National Chase (Handicap) (Grade 3) Cl1 4m2f74y Card Betting
6:10 – Pinsent Masons Handicap Hurdle (For Conditional Jockeys And Amateur Riders) Cl2 2m103y
