Grand National: Live updates from Opening Day at Aintree Racecourse

It’s finally here. One of the most anticipated events of the year in Liverpool and across the sporting world, the Randox Grand National Festival 2025.

The Grand National Opening Day, April 3, is upon us and the gates open at 11am. Expect first-class racing, brilliant entertainment, breathtaking atmosphere, and of course, great fashion across the next three days at Aintree Racecourse.

Like with every year, The Guide Liverpool will be bringing you all the action, live through socials and across our website, including this live feed, which will be providing updates as they happen.

Today our team of Jay Hynd and Rachael Rhodes will be covering all the action at Aintree Racecourse for Grand National Opening Day.

Keep up to date with everything happening through our social media channels and right here on this live feed and don’t forget to tag us in on socials!

6:00pm – What an incredible Opening Day at Aintree Racecourse for the Grand National 2025.

Rach & Jay are signing off with all your Thursday highlights, but we will be back tomorrow for Liverpool’s most glam day of the year, Ladies Day 2025, and we’ll have Gemma & Pete joining the team once again too.

5:25pm – The Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt

Seo Linn wins the last race of the day, concluding today’s racing.

4:55pm – The Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Stepple Chase

Sans Bruit wins race six on opening day.

4:47pm – The Art School is back at Aintree Racecourse for the Randox Grand National 2025

Jay spoke to Chef Paul Askew who told us what’s on the menu and how he’s paying tribute to the former owners of Aintree building he’s using as his restaurant for the next three days.

4:16pm – The Randox Foxhunters’ Stepple Chase

Gracchus De Balme wins race five in a very close contest.

3:45pm – There are so many amazing outfits here on opening day

Jay has news on how you can enter this year’s Style Award from home! And Rach is on the hunt for her fave looks.

3:40pm – The William Hill Racing Aintree Hurdle

Lossiemouth wins race four on opening day.

3:25pm – Racegoers enjoy the sun

The crowds continue to gather ahead of the William Hill Racing Aintree Hurdle.

3:06pm – The Brooklands Golden Miller Chronograph Bowl

Gaelic Warrior wins race three on opening day.

3:05pm – Very are bringing the style to Aintree

https://www.tiktok.com/@theguideliverpool/video/7489085105906978070

Very have brought the goods to Aintree this year they have a pop-up where you can your make-up touched up, and even a blow dry! Plus there’s loads of prizes to be won.

2:50pm – James Rennard answers your questions about this year’s Grand National

James Rennard from Aintree Racecourse has everything you need to know about the Randox Grand National 2025.

2:30pm – The Boodles Anniversary 4-y-o Juvenile Hurdle Race

Murcia wins the second race on opening day at Aintree.

2:10pm – There is so much amazing food on offer at Aintree this year

The Randox Grand National has never tasted so good, with so many delicious dishes for you to tuck into this year including BOXPARK Liverpool, Art School and so much more! Jay spoke with Lee who is in charge of the Food & Drinks Outlets at Aintree to find out more.

1:53pm – Your first winner

Impaire Et Passe wins the first race of the day.

1:45pm – The first race of the day

We are underway here at Aintree as The EBC Group Manifesto Novices’ Steeple Chase gets started.

1:25pm – We meet some super-stylish visitors to opening day here at the Randox Grand National Festival

It is glorious at Aintree Racecourse right now. And it’s not just the race course looks glam, the race-goers are too!

12:35pm – Seamus is back at Aintree Racecourse

The Irish Guards are back at Aintree Racecourse for 2025 alongside regimental mascot Seamus.

12:24pm – BOXPARK Liverpool is Aintree ready

BOXPARK Liverpool is bringing the entertainment to Aintree. Tuck into Yum Cha, Rogue Pizza, Filthy Fries & ChicnWings and enjoy DJs across the weekend.

12:02pm – Welcome to Aintree Racecourse, for day one of Randox Grand National

Jay & Rach have all your info for opening day at Aintree Racecourse.

11:00am – Gates Open

Gates have opened for day one of the Randox Health Grand National Festival.

10:17am – Get there by train

Merseyrail are running a special timetable throughout the Grand National Festival

9:55am – A glorious day at Aintree Racecourse

The Sun is shining on Aintree Racecourse ahead of opening day.

9:03am – Today’s race times

The times for all of today’s action at Aintree Racecourse

8:20am – Aintree is ready

The stage is set and Aintree Racecourse is ready for the next three days.

7:45am – Giveaways to look out for today

For Grand National Opening Day and across the entire festival there will be loads going on and give aways too! Find out what you should look out for.

7:35am – Entertainment and the Style Awards at the Randox Grand National Festival 2025

Find out all the info on what’s happening for entertainment at this year’s Grand National Festival and news on how to enter this year’s Style Award, what prizes are up for grabs and a new way to win.

7:00am – Weather update

According to the Met Office, Liverpool is to be dry today with lengthy periods of warm sunshine. Temperatures of up to 19 degrees are expected.

That’s what’s we love to see!

Stay with The Guide Liverpool across the Randox Grand National Festival 2025 to find out what’s happening before, during and after the event.