What date and time is the 2025 Grand National?
The Grand National race takes centre stage at Aintree every April, but there are actually three days of elite jumps racing across the duration of the Grand National Festival. The 2025 Grand National times and schedule have been reorganised following the decision to move the big race to earlier on the Saturday afternoon.
Grand National start times, dates and race day programs
The Grand National 2025 will start at 4pm on Saturday 5th April.
The Grand National 2025 will start at 4pm on Saturday 5th April. The post time has been changed from the 5:15pm start of recent years, but the big race will still air live on ITV1. The Grand National runners will not be fully confirmed until a couple of weeks before the race starts.
The Grand National Festival’s highlight is undoubtedly the 34-runner showpiece, but there are a host of top races spread across three days at Aintree each April. The 2025 Aintree Grand National meeting kicks off on Thursday 3rd April. The start time for the first race is 1.45pm, with ITV1 broadcasting the biggest races, and many leading bookmakers also providing free streaming options.
The action continues over the three-day event, with Ladies Day on Friday and Grand National Saturday providing the pinnacle of the meeting.
As the Aintree gates open around 10.30am each day, racegoers will have plenty of time to get into the course before the first race. With bars and restaurants open all day, plus corporate boxes and suites offering lunch before the racing starts, many racegoers will flock to the track early to make the most of their day.
The track will also have other entertainment going on so, if you’re attending the 2025 Grand National meeting on any of the three days, be sure to explore. Generally, there are shops and stalls onsite that will sell racing fashion items or racing memorabilia like pictures or books.
Also look out for competitions dotted around the track – for example, ‘Best Dressed Lady’, Best ‘Dressed Man’, or ‘Best Dressed Couple’. There can often be some decent sponsors prizes for the winners, like cash or even a car!
Here are the confirmed start times and details for each race over the three days, to help you plan your Grand National viewing.
How can you live stream the 2025 Grand National?
There are an abundance of options available to watch the Grand National live. You will be able to watch the race live on many betting sites, including bet365 and Paddy Power. Most betting sites will require you to place a bet on the race in order to watch it live. You can also watch the Grand National via ITVX. All you need to do to live stream on ITVX is create an account.
How many horses are in the 2025 Grand National?
There will be lots of horses in the running for the Grand National. The list of Grand National Runners will be narrowed down to 34 horses before the day of the race. In the build up, we could see about 50 horses be entered in the running for the 2025 Grand National.
Grand National Opening Day – Thursday 3rd April 2025
| Grand National Start Times | Watch | Race | Distance | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:45pm | Watch at Paddy Power | Manifesto Novices’ Chase | 2m 4f | 1 |
| 2:20pm | Watch at Unibet | Anniversary 4YO Juvenile Hurdle | 2m 1f | 1 |
| 2:55pm | Watch at William Hill | Aintree Bowl Chase | 3m 1f | 1 |
| 3:30pm | Watch at Betfair | Aintree Hurdle | 2m 4f | 1 |
| 4:05pm | Watch at Unibet | Foxhunters’ Chase | 2m 5f | Handicap |
| 4:40pm | Watch at William Hill | Red Rum Handicap Chase | 2m | 3 |
| 5:15pm | Watch at Paddy Power | Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat | 2m 1f | 2 |
Grand National Ladies Day – Friday 4th April 2025
| Grand National Start Times | Watch | Race | Distance | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:45pm | Watch at William Hill | Mildmay Novices’ Chase | 3m 1f | 1 |
| 2:20pm | Watch at Paddy Power | William Hill Handicap Hurdle | 2m 4f | 3 |
| 2:55pm | Watch at Betfair | Top Novices’ Hurdle | 2m ½f | 1 |
| 3:30pm | Watch at Betfair | Melling Chase | 2m 4f | 1 |
| 4:05pm | Watch at William Hill | Topham Handicap Chase | 2m 5f | 3 |
| 4:40pm | Watch at Paddy Power | Sefton Novices’ Hurdle | 3m ½f | 1 |
| 5:15pm | Watch at Paddy Power | Lydiate Handicap Hurdle | 2m ½f | Handicap |
Grand National Day – Saturday 5th April 2025
The revised start times for Grand National Day 2025 are now confirmed. The Grand National itself will begin earlier than in recent years, at 4pm.
| Grand National Start Times | Watch | Race | Distance | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:20pm | Watch at William Hill | Bridle Road Handicap Hurdle | 3m ½f | 3 |
| 1:55pm | Watch at Paddy Power | Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle | 2m 4f | 1 |
| 2:30pm | Watch at Unibet | William Hill Hanicap Chase | 3m 1f | 3 |
| 3:05pm | Watch at Betfair | JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle | 3m ½f | 1 |
| 4:00pm | Watch at William Hill | Randox Grand National Chase | 4m 2½f | 3 |
| 5:00pm | Watch at Unibet | Maghull Novices’ Chase | 2m | 1 |
| 5:35pm | Watch at William Hill | Standard Open NH Flat Race | 2m 1f | 2 |
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Check ticket availability as well as our handy betting guides, our recommended bets, best odds and tips.
Grand National 2025 FAQs
When is the Grand National 2025?
The 2025 Grand National is on the 5th April 2025. Aside from the main race, the Grand National festival begins a couple of days earlier on Thursday 3rd April 2025 and ends on the 4th April 2025.
When time does the Grand National start?
The Grand National Steeple Chase, which is the main event at the festival, is currently scheduled to start around 4PM on Saturday 5th April, with last year’s winner I Am Maximus one of the current favourites.
How long is the Grand National?
The Grand National is around 494 yards, which is 4 miles, 2 furlongs and around 74 yards. This makes it a very long race and one which can have many changes in the running order throughout.
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