The 2024 Grand National will be held at Liverpool’s Aintree Racecourse on April 13th, featuring key safety changes. The race now limits participants to 34 horses, introduces a standing start, and the first fence is closer to the beginning.
Scheduled for a 4 pm start, these adjustments aim to enhance ground conditions and horse welfare. The event boasts a £1 million prize fund, rewarding the first ten finishers. It’s the centerpiece of Aintree’s three-day festival, spanning from April 11th to 13th, with the main race on the final day, promising excitement and competition.
Where to Watch 2024 Grand National
To watch the 2024 Randox Grand National on your TV, you have two main options: ITV Racing and RacingTV. You can find ITV Racing on channel 103 if you’re using Sky or Virgin Media. RacingTV is available on channel 426 for Sky subscribers and channel 536 for those with Virgin Media.
If you prefer to stream the event online, both ITVx and Racing TV’s websites will have live streaming available. This means you can watch the races on different devices, including smart TVs, laptops, tablets, or smartphones.
Watching on ITV is free, but if you choose Racing TV, there’s a monthly subscription cost of £24.98 with a 12-month contract, or you can opt for an annual pass costing £298.
Grand National 2024 Schedule and Start Times
| DAY & DATE | TIME | RACE NAME | DISTANCE |
| OPENING DAY – Thursday, 11 April | |||
| 1.45 pm | The Manifesto Novices’ Steeple Chase (Class 1) Grade 1 | 2m 4f | |
| 2.20 pm | The Boodles Anniversary 4-y-o Juvenile Hurdle (Class 1) Grade 1 | 2m 1f | |
| 2.55 pm | The Aintree Bowl Steeple Chase (Class 1) Grade 1 | 3m 1f | |
| 3.30 pm | The William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Class 1) Grade 1 | 2m 4f | |
| 4.05 pm | The Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase | 2m 5f | |
| 4.40 pm | The Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 1) Grade 3 | 2m | |
| 5.15 pm | The Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat (Grade 2) | 2m 1f | |
| LADIES DAY – Friday, 12 April | |||
| 1.45 pm | The Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices’ Steeple Chase (Class 1) Grade 1 | 3m 1f | |
| 2.20 pm | The William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Class 1) Grade 3 | 2m 4f | |
| 2.55 pm | The TrustATrader Top Novices’ Hurdle (Class 1) Grade 1 | 2m ½f | |
| 3.30 pm | The My Pension Expert Melling Chase (Grade 1) | 2m 4f | |
| 4.05 pm | The Randox Supports Race Against Dementia Topham Chase (Grade 3) | 2m 5f | |
| 4.40 pm | The Cavani Sartorial Menswear Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (Class 1) Grade 1 | 3m ½f | |
| 5.15 pm | The Lydiate Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) (Conditional & Amateur Jockeys) | 2m ½f | |
| RANDOX GRAND NATIONAL DAY – Saturday, 13 April | |||
| 1.20 pm | The Bridle Road Handicap Hurdle (Class 1) Grade 3 | 3m½f | |
| 1.55 pm | The Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Class 1) Grade 1 | 2m 4f | |
| 2.30 pm | The William Hill Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 1) Grade 3 | 3m 1f | |
| 3.05 pm | The JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (Class 1) Grade 1 | 3m ½f | |
| 4.00 pm | The Randox Grand National Steeple Chase (Grade 3) | 4m 2½f | |
| 5.00 pm | The Maghull Novices’ Steeple Chase (Class 1) Grade 1 | 2m | |
| 5.35 pm | The Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) | 2m 1f |
Grand National 2024 Preview
The 2024 Grand National at Aintree Racecourse is gearing up to be a must-see for horse racing fans. It’s shaping up as an especially competitive race this year, featuring a lineup of top horses and jockeys. The event is notorious for its tough fences and the surprise outcomes they often cause, adding to the excitement and making it a highlight of the racing year. With over £1 million up for grabs, the race is both high-stakes and fiercely contested.
Excitement is particularly high this year, with a strong field of contenders. Notably, the previous year’s champion is aiming to be the first since Red Rum to clinch consecutive Grand Nationals. But the competition is tough, including a promising Irish horse showing excellent form this season.
Beyond the race itself, the Grand National is a significant social event, attracting thousands to enjoy not just the sport but also the lively atmosphere. Attendees can look forward to live music, various food options, and entertainment, making it a fun day out for all.
The Grand National 2024 offers a mix of sporting thrill and social enjoyment, making it a standout event. It’s a day filled with unpredictable racing and a festive mood, perfect for both long-time enthusiasts and those new to the sport. So, it’s an event you’ll want to experience firsthand.
Horses to run in Grand National 2024
The Grand National 2024 runners includes only 34 horses instead of the usual 40. This change is to make the race safer. The list of these 34 horses will be final on Thursday, April 11, two days before the race. Starting from last year, if any horse is pulled out after this final list is made, no other horse will take its place.
Fences Included in 2024 Grand National
The race includes 16 different fences, with 14 of them being cleared twice, totaling 30 jumps. Building all the fences takes around three weeks.
- Fence 1&17 – 4ft 6in high, 2ft 9in wide
- Fence 2&18 – 4ft 17in high, 3ft 6in wide
- Fence 3&19 – Open ditch
- Fence 4&20 – 5ft high, 10ft 6in wide (including 7ft ditch on take-off side)
- Fence 5&21 – 5ft high, 3ft 6in wide
- Fence 6&22, Becher’s Brook – 4ft 10in high, 7ft 6in wide
- Fence 7&23, Foinavon – 4ft 6in high, 3ft wide
- Fence 8&24, Canal Turn – 5ft high, 7ft wide
- Fence 9&25, Valentine’s Brook – 5ft high, 7ft wide
- Fence 10&26 – 5ft high, 3ft wide
- Fence 11&27 – 4ft 10in high, 9ft wide (including 6ft ditch on landing side)
- Fence 12&28 – 5ft high, 8ft 6in wide (including 5ft 6in on landing side)
- Fence 13&29 – 4ft 7in high, 3ft wide
- Fence 14&30 – 4ft 6in high, 3ft wide
- Fence 15, The Chair – 5ft 2in high, 9ft wide (including 6ft ditch on take-off side)
- Fence 16, Water Jump – 2ft 6in high
Changes in Grand National 2024
Aintree races 2024 has faces significant changes to improve horse welfare and race safety, notably reducing the number of runners from 40 to 34 to decrease the risk of falls and crowded jumps. Other key adjustments include moving the first fence, implementing a standing start to slow initial speeds, and adjusting the race start time to around 4 pm for a more prompt beginning.
The minimum rating for horses has been raised from 125 to 130 to ensure better jumpers participate, likely leading to fewer falls. Additionally, modifications to fences, like lowering the 11th fence and adding foam and rubber boards, aim to cushion falls, enhancing safety. These measures reflect a commitment to modernizing the event while prioritizing participant safety and animal welfare.
Grand National Past Winners
| Year | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | SP |
| 2023 | Corach Rambler | Lucinda Russell | Derek Fox | 8/1 |
| 2022 | Noble Yeats | Emmet Mullins | Sam Waley-Cohen | 50/1 |
| 2021 | Minella Times | Henry De Bromhead | Rachael Blackmore | 11/1 |
| 2019 | Tiger Roll | G Elliott | Davy Russell | 4/1 |
| 2018 | Tiger Roll | Gordon Elliott | Davy Russell | 14/1 |
| 2017 | One For Arthur | Lucinda Russell | Derek Fox | 14/1 |
| 2016 | Rule The World | Mouse Morris | David Mullins | 33/1 |
| 2015 | Many Clouds | O Sherwood | Leighton Aspell | 25/1 |
| 2014 | Pineau De Re | Dr Richard Newland | Leighton Aspell | 25/1 |
Aintree Grand National 2024 Prize Money
For the 2024 Aintree Grand National, the prize money is set at £1 million. From this pool, the jockey who rides the winning horse typically earns around £45,000, highlighting a direct connection between the total prize fund and the jockey’s share.
2024 Grand National Results
| Position | Horse | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | I Am Maximus | 7/1 (Joint favourite) |
| 2 | Delta Work | 28/1 |
| 3 | Minella Indo | 28/1 |
| 4 | Galvin | 40/1 |
| 5 | Kitty’s Light | 12/1 |
| 6 | Ain’t That A Shame | 40/1 |
| 7 | Meetingofthewaters | 11/1 |
| 8 | Galia Des Liteaux | 28/1 |
| 9 | Roi Mage | 66/1 |
| 10 | Limerick Lace | 7/1 (Joint favourite) |
Bottom Line
The 2024 Grand National at Aintree introduces significant safety measures, including a reduced field of 34 horses and modifications to the course and fences, aiming to enhance horse welfare and race safety. With £1 million in prize money, the event promises competitive racing and social festivities, broadcast on ITV Racing and RacingTV, with live streaming available. These changes reflect an effort to modernize the race while prioritizing safety.
Sameed Aijax
April 12, 2024
3 weeks ago
