What time does Grand National 2026 start? Field, results, weather forecast, latest tips and odds today

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…

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.

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.

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.

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:

(Odds via Betfair, 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)

13:45: Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1)

14:20: William Hill Manifesto Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)

14:55: Racing Welfare Bowl Chase (Grade 1)

15:30: Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase

16:05: William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1)

16:40: Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)

17:15: Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2)

13:45: William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)

14:20: William Hill Mildmay Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)

14:55: Thatprizeguy Top Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

15:30: Jcb Melling Chase (Grade 1)

16:05: Randox Topham Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)

16:40: Oddschecker Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

17:15: Debenhams Handicap Hurdle (Conditional Jockeys & Amateur Riders)

Follow the Grand National live with Standard Sport!