13 April 2024 , 13:38
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Today is the day as Aintree hosts the biggest fixture in jumps racing - the world famous Grand National.
Up to 75,000 spectators will be spectating the big race in Liverpool - with millions more up and down the country tuning in on television.
Corach Rambler won last year's edition and runs again this year. Decorated trainers Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott will be gunning for victory, too.
I Am Maximus, the winner of last year's Irish National, represents Mullins' best chance to claim his first victory since 2005. But after significant protests from animal rights groups last year, the famous race promises to look a little different this time around.
Twelve months ago, the National was delayed as activists demonstrated both in the grounds of Aintree and on the course itself. Therefore, race organisers have tweaked the format to ensure the horses running - and those in the saddle - are as safe as possible.
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The 34 runners - reduced from 40 in previous years - were announced on Thursday morning. And here's everything else you need to know about the big race.
When is the Aintree Grand National?
The Grand National is the highlight of Aintree’s three-day Grand National Festival, which runs this year from today, April 11, to Saturday, April 13.
The race takes place at Aintree Racecourse. The race has never officially been held anywhere else since the first edition in 1839.
The main event, the Grand National itself, is on Saturday afternoon.
Corach Rambler will be running again in this year's Grand National (Getty Images)What time does the 2024 Grand National start?
The runners will be sent on their way at 4pm on Saturday, April 13.
The start time has been brought forward from 5.15pm following last year’s edition, in a bid to ensure good ground.
Who will win the Grand National? Share your predictions in the comments below
How many horses are running in the Grand National?
For 2024, the total number of horses in the Grand National has been reduced from 40 to 34, in order to improve the safety of the race. The highest number of runners was 66, in 1929.
Corach Rambler won last year's Grand National (Getty Images)What is the criteria horses need to match to run?
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- Have an official rating (OR) of 130 or more (up from a rating of 125 in 2023).
- Aged 7 or older.
- Have completed three or more steeplechases.
- Have completed one steeplechase in the current season.
- Have finished between 1st and 4th in a steeplechase over 2 miles 7½ furlongs or further.
What is the race distance?
The official distance is four miles, two furlongs and 74 yards (4m 2f 74y). This distance is measured two yards inside the innermost rail.
The Grand National is the longest jump race held in the UK.
How many fences are there?
There are 16 individual fences in the race, 14 of which are jumped twice. That makes a total of 30 jumps.
The fences are made from Sitka spruce or Norway spruce, which is transported to Aintree from the Lake District. It takes about three weeks to construct all the fences which include the famous Beecher’s Brook and The Chair.
Major changes have been made to the Grand National (Getty Images)What are the changes to the 2024 Grand National?
Significant changes have been made. The alterations have been made after animal rights protesters ambushed the event last year - causing a delay of over 15 minutes.
However, the Jockey Club insists that the changes did not come as a direct response to those protests.
The most significant changes are as follows:
- The field has been reduced from 40 horses to a maximum of 34.
- The first fence has been brought forward, towards the start line, by 60 yards in order to reduce the speed at which the horses reach it.
- The start will now be a standing start at the tape, rather than the traditional rolling start. This change is also designed to reduce the speed that horses arrive at the first obstacle.
- Each horse must have an official rating of at least 130 - rather than 125.
- Fence 11 has been reduced in height by two inches and will have the drop on the landing side reduced.
- Horses will no longer be led onto the course by a handler before the race, instead being released to canter in front of the grandstands.
- The start time has been moved from 5.15pm to 4pm.