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)
- Any Second Now, 11, 11-12, Mr John P. McManus T. M. Walsh
- Noble Yeats, 8, 11-11, Mr Robert Waley-Cohen Emmet Mullins
- Galvin, 9 ,11-11, Mr R. A. Bartlett Gordon Elliott
- Fury Road, 9, 11-6, Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott
- The Big Dog, 10, 11-5, Damien J. Kelly/Colin Kelly Peter Fahey
- Capodanno, 7, 11-5, Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins
- Delta Work, 10, 11-4, Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott
- Sam Brown, 11, 11-4, Mr T. C. Frost Anthony Honeyball
- Lifetime Ambition, 8, 11-3, Linda Mulcahy/Mary Wolridge Mrs J. Harrington
- Carefully Selected, 11, 11-1, Miss M. A. Masterson W. P. Mullins
- Coko Beach, 8, 11-0, Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott
- Longhouse Poet, 9, 11-0, Sean & Bernardine Mulryan Martin Brassil
- Gaillard du Mesnil, 7, 11-0, Mrs J. Donnelly W. P. Mullins
- Darasso, 10, 10-13, Mr John P. McManus Joseph Patrick O’Brien
- Le Milos, 8, 10-11, The Jolly Good Partnership Dan Skelton
- Escaria Ten, 9, 10-10, McNeill Family Gordon Elliott
- The Big Breakaway, 8, 10-10, Eric Jones, Geoff Nicholas, John Romans Joe Tizzard
- Cape Gentleman, 7, 10-8, Mr Pierre Manigault John Joseph Hanlon
- Roi Mage, 11, 10-8, Pryde/Van Der Hoeven/McGladery/Beaumont Patrick Griffin
- Diol Ker, 9, 10-8, Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade
- A Wave of The Sea, 7, 10-6, Mr John P. McManus Joseph Patrick O’Brien
- Minella Trump, 9, 10-6, Mr T. G. Leslie Donald McCain
- Vanillier, 8, 10-6, Mrs H. M. Keaveney Gavin Cromwell
- Velvet Elvis, 7, 10-6, Mr D. Kierans T. Gibney
- Ain’t That A Shame, 9, 10-5, Robcour Henry de Bromhead
- Corach Rambler, 9, 10-5, The Ramblers Lucinda Russell
- Enjoy d’Allen, 9, 10-5, Mr John P. McManus Ciaran Murphy
- Mr Incredible, 7, 10-4, Mr P. Byrne W. P. Mullins
- Mister Coffey, 8 10-4 Lady Bamford & Alice Bamford Nicky Henderson
- Cloudy Glen, 10, 10-4, Exors of the late Mr Trevor Hemmings Venetia Williams
- Hill Sixteen, 10, 10-2, J Fyffe & S Townshend Sandy Thomson
- Gabbys Cross, 8, 10-2, Mr R. S. Brookhouse Henry de Bromhead
- Recite A Prayer, 8, 10-1, The Turner Family W. P. Mullins
- Eva’s Oskar, 9, 10-1, Sally & Richard Prince Tim Vaughan
- Our Power, 8, 10-0, Walters Plant Hire & Potter Group Sam Thomas
- Dunboyne, 8, 10-0, S. P. O’Connor Gordon Elliott
- Francky du Berlais, 10, 10-0, Mr Roddy Owen Peter Bowen
- Fortescue, 9, 9-13, Mrs L Nixon Henry Daly
- Back On The Lash, 9, 9-13, Maughan, Redknapp, Ryan, Salters Martin Keighley
- 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.