Grand National 2022: All the latest from Aintree Racecourse as gates open for day one of the Randox Grand National Festival 2022

Grand National 2022 is on!

The big day has arrived, after three years gates are finally back open at Aintree Racecourse for the first day of the Randox Grand National Festival 2022.

The Randox Grand National Festival 2022 starts now taking place at Aintree Racecourse until Saturday.

Crowds are heading back to Aintree for the Randox Grand National after two years away due to Covid – and we as you’ll see the excitement on course is electric.

2020 was a virtual one, and last year’s big race had to be held behind closed doors, but now the full-on festival can happen again and we’re all under starter’s orders for world class racing and partying.

The Guide Liverpool are there giving live coverage of all the action on and off the course every day so keep it here on our live feed from Aintree Racecourse.

More race-goers, more amazing outfits for Grand Opening Day

More race-goers, more amazing outfits @AintreeRaces.

Follow all of the action as it happens here
👉 https://t.co/loSwfYF2eN#GrandNational2022 pic.twitter.com/Qcqg8mPaZK

— The Guide Liverpool 🌇 (@TheGuideLpool) April 7, 2022

We speak to some of the 10,000 NHS staff members who received free tickets to Opening Day (Thursday) at Aintree

All the latest tips and advice on how to choose the right horse with Shinners from Sky Bet

The fashion stakes are already high at this year's Grand National Festival

Rach & Josh are chatting to race-goers about their outfits, style choices and there’s even a wedding dress that makes an appearance!

Millers Bank is the first horse to win at the Festival for 2022

Alder Hey celebrates years working with the Jockey Club at Aintree

.@AlderHeyCharity & the @TheJockeyClub are celebrating 20 years of working together this year 🤝 We're delighted the NHS is being honoured with a special day at Aintree today 🏇💙 We hope everyone attending has an amazing day! 🤩 #LiverpoolNHSDay pic.twitter.com/SoY6gi6PZn

— 🏥 Alder Hey 💙 (@AlderHey) April 7, 2022

Even under grey clouds, what a view Aintree!

Excitement for first race at Aintree

Chef Paul Askew chats as he opens the doors to the Art School Liverpool at Aintree

The Randox Grand National Festival 2022 is underway at Aintree Racecourse ad one of the best parts of being at the races, apart from the racing obviously, is the fabulous food and hospitality you get at the racecourse.

This year one of Liverpool’s top chefs, Paul Askew, has brought The Art School to Aintree for the first time which is a safe bet to be an amazing experience for anyone lucky enough to be there.

Jay spoke to Paul before his race course restaurant doors opened…

Last year's Grand National winning jockey Rachel Blackmore pictured on her first ride of this year's festival

Rachel Blackmore won the National 2021 and this year she takes to the course again, starting at 1.45pm today, riding Gin on Lime

Jay speaks with The Jockey Club's Dickon White

Dickon White is Chief Executive of The Jockey Club which oversees Liverpool’s biggest event at Aintree Racecourse

Gates are OPEN at Aintree Racecourse for the first time since 2019!

The gates are officially open for the Randox #GrandNational Festival 2022 @AintreeRaces 🐎

Follow all of the action as it happens here
👉 https://t.co/loSwfYF2eN pic.twitter.com/sWNdXVE8Fm

— The Guide Liverpool 🌇 (@TheGuideLpool) April 7, 2022

10.55 - The Randox Grand National Festival 2022 gets underway with Jay, Josh and Rach