Your Ultimate Guide to Aintree’s Randox Health Grand National 2019

Who’s ready for a weekend of racing and style?

The Randox Health Grand National returns to Aintree on 4th – 6th April 2019 for three days of thrilling horseracing action and glamour. The spotlight will be firmly on our city as guys and girls in their thousands descend on Aintree to back a winner and this year The Guide Liverpool is officially part of the action.

We will be teaming up with Aintree on this year’s Style Award on Ladies Day and of course, bringing you all of the action as it happens, across the three days, so don’t move a muscle!

There are some tickets available for Thursday’s Grand Opening Day and Friday’s Fabulous Ladies Day. Book yours here.

We’ve got all the info you need from bottomless brekkie and bubbles to where to pick up your free flip flops, what time the gates open and where the best entertainment is to keep the party going.

Watch all of our coverage from last year’s Randox Health Grand National here.

This is your ultimate guide to The Randox Health Grand National 2019…

Brekkie & Bubbles

Now you can’t start your Grand National day out with a bit of toast and a cuppa! It’s just not the done thing! Get your group together and get booking a brekkie and bubbles package to kick start an epic weekend. Here’s 6 of our faves.

Grand Central

Get your day off to a winner with the Grand Central Grand National Champagne Breakfast. On both Ladies Day and Grand National Day with champagne on arrival paired with a full continental or cooked breakfast. All for just £15 per person. Being a stone’s throw away from Liverpool Central you can hop on to Aintree in no time. More info here.

The Old Bank

There’s a number of Grand National offers on at The Old Bank, James Street throughout the racing weekend. Book in for breakfast, bubbly and transport to Aintree or your evening meal after the racing. More info here.

Hard Days Night Hotel

How do you like your eggs on Grand National weekend? We like ours with Prosecco and so does Hard Days Night Hotel! It’s just £19.95 for a full English and glass of prosecco! Book here. 

The Florist

Start your #FabulousFriday Ladies Day out in the super stylish surroundings of The Florist, Hardman Street with brunch and bubbles from 10am. You can also benefit from return travel to and from Aintree racecourse too! Book your spot here. 

The Venue at the Royal Liver Building

Now talk about starting your Ladies Day in style! The Venue at the cities most iconic location, The Royal Liver Building is offering a Ladies Day Brunch with hot and cold food, plenty of bubbles and entertainment from 9:30am on #FabulousFriday. Book your spot here. 

The Sir Thomas

The Sir Thomas, Victoria Street is getting the Grand National party started nice and early! How do you fancy a luxury champagne breakfast from as early as 8am? There’s also a transport to Aintree option too. Book here. 

More: Here’s 12 more Liverpool venues to book a Grand National champagne breakfast

Pullman Hotel – Bed & Breakfast

Plus if you are looking for somewhere to stay then check out this Ladies Day offer at Pullman Liverpool. Book your room here.

Getting There

Merseyrail

The quickest and most convenient way to get to Aintree Racecourse is  by train with Merseyrail. Trains between the city centre and Aintree will run every 7 and a half minutes before and after the races, Thursday to Saturday. Click here to check the official times and station info and don’t forget to pick up your free Merseyrail flip flops after the races.

We recommend buying your tickets online, on the app or in advance from the station to avoid queues. Find out more here. 

Race Day Top Tips

Sadly we can’t help you pick a winner but we can offer you some sound advice for having an absolute ball at Aintree throughout The Randox Health Grand National.

Get Money

There are cash machines at Aintree Racecourse but why miss any of the action by queueing up? We recommend hitting the atm’s in town before you jump on the train or bus and obvs, leave some space for your winnings!

Rain or Shine

We’ve all turned into avid weather watchers now that there’s less than a week until the Grand National actions kicks off! We recommend checking the official Met Office website here for the most up to date, accurate weather forecast and basically keep everything crossed! It’s also worth checking out the nearest bars at Aintree here in case you need to run for cover!

Accessibility

Aintree Racecourse ensures there is easy access to all parts of its premises for people with disabilities where reasonably practicable. There are induction loops in bars and suites, braille on signage, disabled viewing areas and many more facilities. If you require assistance during The Randox Health Grand National Festival, check out info page here. 

The All Important Dress Code

While there is no official dress code for The Randox Health Grand National meeting, smart is always best. The world will be watching as the three day event builds to the greatest horse race on the globe, what more reason do you need to dress up? Hats are optional but style is mandatory. Fancy dress and sports clothing are not permitted.

If you’re still looking for some style inspiration, watch above as we chat with Liverpool based tailor Phil from Noble Fox to get some race day fashion tips. More here. 

Style Award & #FabulousFriday

#FabulousFriday returns to Aintree with a whole new Style Award judging panel including none other than our very own Jay Hynd. Joining fashion partner Chi Chi London, our Jay will be on the look out for the most stylish guy or girl and this year’s prize package is worth more than £35,000. If you fancy winning a brand new Range Rover Evoque and a fashion bundle from Chi Chi London make sure you get your picture taken at the designated flower walls in the Red Rum Garden and near the festival entrance.

Watch above as our Gemma gets some race day fashion tips. Strike a pose and keep your fingers crossed.

More: Check out the Hatfields Range Rover Evoque that could be yours on Fabulous Friday.

Times

Grand Opening Thursday

Gates Open: 11am, First Race: 1:45pm, Last Race 5:15pm

Entertainment: The Mersey Beatles, Aintree Pavilion

Fabulous Friday – Ladies Day

Gates Open: 10:30am First Race: 1:45pm Last Race: 5:15pm

Entertainment: Run The World, Aintree Pavilion

Entertainment: Anton Powers, Red Rum Garden

Grand National Saturday

Gates Open: 10am First Race: 1:45pm Last Race: 6:20pm

Grand National: 5:15pm

Fillies & Flip Flops

You’ll be pleased to know that this years Style Award fashion partner, Chi Chi London will be at the racecourse and Merseyrail will be at Aintree station giving out free flip flops! After a long day in your highest of heels, who doesn’t love a bit of relief on the train back into Liverpool before the party starts all over again?

After Parties

Just because the last race has been run, it doesn’t mean it’s the end of your Grand National fun. With loads of deals, discounts and Grand National after parties to check out, we’ve lined up our top 5 faves. Splash those winnings all weekend long.

Garlands

It’s Old Skool V Techno at Garlands on Saturday night after the big race. If you’re no intention of going home til you’ve spent all your winnings, this all-nighter is for you. Some tickets still available here. 

Revolution Royal Albert Dock

Up the style stakes in all your races finery and head to Revolution at Royal Albert Dock after the racing (Thursday to Saturday). With VIP booths and brilliant drinks packages on offer, raise a toast to the finest filly you backed on the waterfront. More info here. 

53 Liverpool

53 Liverpool, Berry Street is bringing Grand National fever back to the city centre after #FabulousFriday with none other than K Klass and a whole host of DJ’s taking to the decks after the Grand National on Saturday too. Bookings and more info here. 

Circo

The Grand National Freakshow Special takes place at Circo, Seel Street after the big race itself and the brekkie butler himself, Lee Butler will be on the decks from 10pm. Expect 1920’s twisted glamour, trapeze and hot house. Tickets and info here. 

Red Door, Berry Street

We’re back to the top of town for this Grand National after party. Red Door is taking bookings for after your Grand National day out. With kick ass cocktails, party vibes and plenty of beats to shake your winnings to, don’t fall at the first hurdle, book here. 

You can still get your hands on tickets for Grand Opening Day and Ladies Day at the Randox Health Grand National by heading to the official website www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/aintree or by clicking here.

Don’t forget The Guide Liverpool team will be bringing you all the Randox Health Grand National action from Aintree as it happens. Keep it locked to @TheGuideLpool on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for updates right across the weekend.