The Grand National takes place at the iconic Aintree Racecourse in April each year. Considered the ultimate test for horse and jockey, the Grand National attracts bettors who rarely take much notice of horse racing. Hundreds of millions of people watch the race, which has been broadcast on free-to-air TV in the UK since 1960.
Grand National 2023: Schedule
The Grand National is the highlight of Aintree’s Grand National Festival, which runs from Thursday April 13 until Saturday April 15. The main race takes place on Saturday at 17:15, but the festival plays host to three days of top quality racing. The schedule is as follows:
Thursday April 13th Randox Opening Day
Opening Ceremony
13:45 The SSS Super Alloys Manifesto Novices’ Steeple Chase
14:20 The Doom Bar Anniversary 4YO Juvenile Hurdle
14:50 The Betway Bowl Steeple Chase
15:25 The Betway Aintree Hurdle
16:05 The Rose Paterson Randox Health Foxhunters’ Steeple Chase
16:40 The Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Steeple Chase
17:15 The Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat
Thursday April 14th Randox Ladies Day
13:45 The Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle
14:20 The Betway Top Novices’ Hurdle
14:50 The Betway Mildmay Novices’ Steeple Chase
15:25 The Marsh Steeple Chase (Registered as the Melling)
16:05 The Randox Health Topham Steeple Chase
16:40 The Doom Bar Sefton Novices’ Hurdle
17:15 The Pinsent Masons Handicap Hurdle
Saturday April 15th Randox Grand National Day
13:45 Horse Racing The EFT Systems Handicap Hurdle
14:25 Horse Racing The Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle
15:00 Horse Racing The Doom Bar Maghull Novices’ Steeple Chase
15:35 Horse Racing The Ryanair Stayers’ Hurdle (Registered as the Liverpool Hurdle)
16:15 Horse Racing The Betway Handicap Steeple Chase
17:15 Horse Racing The Randox Grand National Steeple Chase
18:20 Horse Racing The Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race
Grand National: Can Cheltenham’s top performers challenge at Aintree?
A big question among punters is whether the top performing horses at the Cheltenham Festival can still be at their peak to challenge in the National. There are three weeks between the two events and with fields at the two meetings stacked with quality it takes a high class, well trained horse to still be on top form and be fully recovered.
Over the last decade 21 winners (20 placed) from 71 runners (29.58%) followed up with a win at Aintree after a victory at the Cheltenham Festival.
Top Grand National Trainers
The following trainers have enjoyed success at the Grand National Festival over the last ten years:
Nicky Henderson: 8 winners from 201 runners
Paul Nicholls: 16 winners from 196 runners
Colin Tizzard: 14 winners from 78 runners
Willie Mullins: 14 winners from 94 runners
Top Grand National Jockeys
The top Grand National Festival Jockeys over the last decade are:
Nico de Boinville: 8 winners
Harry Cobden: 8 winners
Robbie Power: 8 winners
Who are the favourites for the 2023 Grand National?
The latest odds for the Grand National are as follows:
| Noble Yeats | 11/1 | bet365 |
| Corach Rambler | 16/1 | William Hill |
| Gaillard Du Mesnil | 16/1 | bet365/William Hill/Betfred/BetVictor |
| Any Second Now | 16/1 | BoyleSports/bet365/Betfred |
| Delta Work | 20/1 | bet365/William Hill/BetVictor/Betfair/Paddy Power |
| Longhouse Poet | 25/1 | Betfair/Paddy Power |
| Le Milos | 25/1 | Betfair/Paddy Power |
| Remastered | 25/1 | bet365/William Hill/Betfred/BetVictor |
| Mr Incredible | 33/1 | William Hill |
| Conflated | 33/1 | Betfred |
Follow the links for more on horse racing and the Grand National.