When is the Grand National 2023? Day schedule and how to watch all the races

Nuray Bulbul and Beril Naz Hassan
Updated ·6-min read
This year at Aintree, more than 100 horses are expected to compete (Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)
This year at Aintree, more than 100 horses are expected to compete (Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)

In April, Liverpool will once again host the stars of the racing world competing for glory at the Grand National.

The world’s best-known steeplechase features 40 runners tackling Aintree’s 30 Grand National fences over four miles and two-and-a-half furlongs.

Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the event in 2021 but she was unable to retain her title the following year. However, she will probably be back among the competitors when fans return to Aintree this week. The BBC says Blackmore will have the choice between Ain’t That A Shame and Gin on Lime this time, and her selection is likely to prove popular with punters.

With the 2023 Grand National only days away, you might be wondering when exactly the beloved event is, what the day’s schedule looks like, and how you can get tickets.

Here is everything you need to know.

When is the Grand National 2023?

The Grand National will officially open on Thursday, April 13, with the championship race being held at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool on Saturday, April 15.

The championship race will begin at 5.15pm and 40 horses have registered to run. It is a UK handicap steeplechase that consists of 30 obstacles over two laps totalling four miles and 514 yards.

There are many well-known fences that runners and riders will have to cross, including the Chair, Valentine's Brook, Foinavon, Becher's Brook and the Canal Turn.

The prize fund for the Grand National is £1 million, which makes it the most valuable jump race in Europe. Approximately 600 million people are likely to be watching in more than 140 countries.

Grand National 2023: Runners and riders

This year at Aintree, more than 100 horses are expected to compete over the day in what is one of the most prestigious races in the world. However, only a maximum of 40 will run in the actual Grand National.

A full field of 40 looks likely after 50 horses stood their ground at the five-day confirmation stage on Monday. Corach Rambler is the current bookmakers’ favourite at 6/1.

Here are the runners and riders so far, with the confirmed line-up announced at Thursday’s final 48-hour declaration stage:

(Horse/Age/Weight in stone and pounds/Owner/Trainer)

  1. Any Second Now, 11, 11-12, Mr John P. McManus T. M. Walsh

  2. Noble Yeats, 8, 11-11, Mr Robert Waley-Cohen Emmet Mullins

  3. Galvin, 9 ,11-11, Mr R. A. Bartlett Gordon Elliott

  4. Fury Road, 9, 11-6, Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

  5. The Big Dog, 10, 11-5, Damien J. Kelly/Colin Kelly Peter Fahey

  6. Capodanno, 7, 11-5, Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins

  7. Delta Work, 10, 11-4, Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

  8. Sam Brown, 11, 11-4, Mr T. C. Frost Anthony Honeyball

  9. Lifetime Ambition, 8, 11-3, Linda Mulcahy/Mary Wolridge Mrs J. Harrington

  10. Carefully Selected, 11, 11-1, Miss M. A. Masterson W. P. Mullins

  11. Coko Beach, 8, 11-0, Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

  12. Longhouse Poet, 9, 11-0, Sean & Bernardine Mulryan Martin Brassil

  13. Gaillard du Mesnil, 7, 11-0, Mrs J. Donnelly W. P. Mullins

  14. Darasso, 10, 10-13, Mr John P. McManus Joseph Patrick O’Brien

  15. Le Milos, 8, 10-11, The Jolly Good Partnership Dan Skelton

  16. Escaria Ten, 9, 10-10, McNeill Family Gordon Elliott

  17. The Big Breakaway, 8, 10-10, Eric Jones, Geoff Nicholas, John Romans Joe Tizzard

  18. Cape Gentleman, 7, 10-8, Mr Pierre Manigault John Joseph Hanlon

  19. Roi Mage, 11, 10-8, Pryde/Van Der Hoeven/McGladery/Beaumont Patrick Griffin

  20. Diol Ker, 9, 10-8, Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade

  21. A Wave of The Sea, 7, 10-6, Mr John P. McManus Joseph Patrick O’Brien

  22. Minella Trump, 9, 10-6, Mr T. G. Leslie Donald McCain

  23. Vanillier, 8, 10-6, Mrs H. M. Keaveney Gavin Cromwell

  24. Velvet Elvis, 7, 10-6, Mr D. Kierans T. Gibney

  25. Ain’t That A Shame, 9, 10-5, Robcour Henry de Bromhead

  26. Corach Rambler, 9, 10-5, The Ramblers Lucinda Russell

  27. Enjoy d’Allen, 9, 10-5, Mr John P. McManus Ciaran Murphy

  28. Mr Incredible, 7, 10-4, Mr P. Byrne W. P. Mullins

  29. Mister Coffey, 8 10-4 Lady Bamford & Alice Bamford Nicky Henderson

  30. Cloudy Glen, 10, 10-4, Exors of the late Mr Trevor Hemmings Venetia Williams

  31. Hill Sixteen, 10, 10-2, J Fyffe & S Townshend Sandy Thomson

  32. Gabbys Cross, 8, 10-2, Mr R. S. Brookhouse Henry de Bromhead

  33. Recite A Prayer, 8, 10-1, The Turner Family W. P. Mullins

  34. Eva’s Oskar, 9, 10-1, Sally & Richard Prince Tim Vaughan

  35. Our Power, 8, 10-0, Walters Plant Hire & Potter Group Sam Thomas

  36. Dunboyne, 8, 10-0, S. P. O’Connor Gordon Elliott

  37. Francky du Berlais, 10, 10-0, Mr Roddy Owen Peter Bowen

  38. Fortescue, 9, 9-13, Mrs L Nixon Henry Daly

  39. Back On The Lash, 9, 9-13, Maughan, Redknapp, Ryan, Salters Martin Keighley

  40. Defi Bleu, 10, 9-12, Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Also entered...

Gevrey, 7, 9-10, Denis Gallagher Racing Gordon Elliott

Punitive, 9, 9-10, Pioneer Racing Gordon Elliott

Milan Native,10, 9-10, Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Born By The Sea, 9, 9-10, Natalie Gilligan Paul John Gilligan

Fakiera, 8, 9-8, Mr T. O’Driscoll Gordon Elliott

Mortal, 11, 9-8, Mr A. Dunlop Gordon Elliott

Darrens Hope, 9, 9-8, Robert Murphy Robert Murphy

Captain Cattistock, 10, 9-5, Mr Nic Brereton Fergal O’Brien

Secret Reprieve, 9, 9-5, Mr & Mrs William Rucker Evan Williams

Fantastikas, 8, 9-5, Imperial Racing Partnership Nigel Twiston-Davies

Grand National 2023: Championships race day schedule

Saturday, April 15 at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool

  • 1.45pm: Systems Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

  • 2.25pm: Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

  • 3.00pm: Maghull Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)

  • 3.35pm: Ryanair Stayers’ Hurdle (registered as the Liverpool Hurdle) (Grade 1)

  • 4.15pm: Betway Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

  • 5.15pm: Randox Grand National Chase (Grade 3)

  • 6.20pm: Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open NH Flat Race (Grade 2)

Grand National 2023: How to watch or listen

The race will be broadcast on Racing TV (Sky channel 426) and ITV 1. Talksport will broadcast live radio coverage of the event from 5pm.

Grand National 2023: How to get tickets

Those who would like to experience the thrill in person can buy tickets and hospitality packages via The Jockey Club website.

Tickets for some areas of Aintree on Saturday have already sold out but, as of the first week of April, the Telegraph reported that there were still tickets available. These ranged in price from £40 for a child ticket in the ‘Festival Zone’ to £85 for adults.

Hospitality tickets are also available, ranging in price from £405 to £1,095. Car parking is an additional £30.

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