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 2026.

The Grand National Opening Day, April 9, 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 Leanne Campbell 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!

5:50pm – Leanne & Jay look back on an amazing first day at Aintree

5:27pm – Watch as our very own Rachael Rhodes gives her tips on how to be in with a chance of winning tomorrow’s Style Awards

5:24pm – Nan’s Choice is the final winner of the day, finishing first in the Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race

4:56pm – Sam Quek is at Aintree Racecourse and loving day one of the Grand National

Jay caught up with Sam Quek on day one of The Randox Grand National Festival 2026.

4:44pm – Ryan’s Rocket wins the Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Steeple Chase

4:11pm – Brighterdaysahead wins the William Hill Aintree Hurdle Race

4:05pm – Leanne is on the hunt for more stunning outfits on day one at Aintree Racecourse

3:53pm – We spoke to Rachael Blackmore as she was inaugurated as an Aintree Legend

Winning Grand National Jockey, Rachael Blackmore chats to Jay at Aintree about the new bar named after her and the fact she’s been inducted as a Grand National Legend.

3:38pm – Barton Snow finishes first in the Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase

3:12pm – Rachael Blackmore has today been inducted as a Grand National Legend

Rachael Blackmore, the only female jockey to win the Randox Grand National, was inducted as a Grand National Legend at Aintree Racecourse earlier today

3:03pm – The winner of the Racing Welfare Bowl Chase is Jango Baie

2:51pm – Racegoers are making the most of being back at Aintree for this year’s huge edition of the Randox Grand National Festival.

2:29pm – Koktail Divin wins the William Hill Manifesto Novices’ Chase

2:23pm – We caught up with Michael Shinners from Sky Bet to get some advice for anyone placing bets over the next couple of days at Aintree.

2:01pm – The atmosphere is building at Aintree

1:57pm – Mange Tout wins The Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle Race.

Becoming the first winner of this year’s Grand National Festival!

1:50pm – Watch as we take a look at some of our favourite outfits from the Opening Day so far!

1:33pm – The first race of the Randox Grand National Festival 2026 is about to begin!

The Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle Race will kick off at 1:45pm

Find the full schedule below!

12:51pm – Take a look at some of the incredible food at Aintree Racecourse

With the likes of BOXPARK Liverpool, Bus Yard and The Art School at Aintree this year there really is something for everyone.

12:37pm – Watch as Leanne takes a look around the racecourse and speaks with some stylish racegoers

12:21pm – Don’t forget to grab your Merseyrail flip flops

Merseyrail’s iconic flip flops are back with a new look for 2026.

12:18pm – Aintree Racecourse is starting to fill up for opening day

12:03pm – There are so many great food & drink options this year!

11:37am – Merseyrail makes travel to and from Aintree Racecourse even easier with new updates to its app

Trains will be running every 7 and 1/2 minutes!

Get more info here.

11:33am – There are still tickets available on the door for the Grand National’s Opening Day

Wanting to get a slice of the action? Well you’re in luck as there are still tickets available on the door for today at the Randox Grand National Festival 2026.

Friday & Saturday are both already sold out.

11:17am – Leanne & Jay are live at Aintree as gates open for Opening Day

11:07am – The Bus Yard is ready at Aintree Racecourse

Find out how you can get there here.

11:00am – Gates are open for day one at Aintree!

10:51am – An update from Merseyside Police for those heading to Aintree

10:45am – Take a look inside Hospitality at Aintree Racecourse

Here’s Liverpool Chamber’s suite, hosting some of the city’s leading businesses today.

10:37am – BOXPARK Liverpool is bringing the beats to Aintree

BOXPARK Liverpool is hosting live music at Aintree throughout the weekend.

10:28am – There is so much to do at Aintree Racecourse this year

From great food and drink to live music there is so much for you to explore at Aintree Racecourse this year.

Take a look here.

10:15am – Take a look inside O Beach at Aintree Racecourse

9:40am – Aintree Racecourse is ready

The stage is set for the 2026 Grand National Festival.

7:45am – The Grand Reveal at Exchange Flags

Aintree launched the weekend in style with The Grand Reveal at Exchange flags with legendary jockeys and Liverpool sports stars in attendance for a family-friendly free day in the city centre.

7:29am – Today’s race schedule

The official race schedule for Opening Day 2026.

6:45am – Everything you need to know about Opening Day

It doesn’t matter how many times we’ve watched or been to The Randox Grand National Festival, every year it comes round again we look forward to it more than the one before.

It’s the excitement of the racing, the glamour of the racegoers, and the glory of one of Merseyside’s most famous and popular sporting events.

We just love it!

Find out more here.

6:30am – Get the train with Merseyrail

The easiest way to get to Aintree is by train and, as always, Merseyrail will be running a special timetable throughout The Grand National Festival with trains between Liverpool City Centre and Aintree Racecourse running every 7½ minutes before and after the races each day.

Find out more on the Merseyrail website.

6:20am – Gates open at 11am

The Grand National Festival is back. Gates for Opening Day at Aintree Racecourse are 11am.

The first race of the day starts at 1:45pm with the last race today at 5.15pm.

6:00am – Aintree Racecourse gets set for Grand National 2026

We met Regional Director of the Jockey Club, Dickon White to find out how plans were going and what we can expect from Grand National 2026 at Aintree Racecourse.

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