Grand National Festival start time: What time does Aintree racing start TODAY?
THE GRAND NATIONAL is back and Day Two of the popular horse racing event will commence today. So what time does the racing start?
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Day two of the Randox Health Grand National Festival 2019 brings seven races, ahead of Saturday’s flag-bearing event.
With around 600 million worldwide viewers, the main event is a highlight of the betting and racing calendar.
But almost as iconic is Grand National Friday - home of the spectacular Ladies’ Day.
ITV1 will broadcast today’s middle five races, from 2.20pm to 4.40pm.
What time does Aintree racing start TODAY?
The race schedule for today is as follows:
1.45 - The Alder Hey Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
Distance 2m 4f. £70,000 prize money
2.20 - The Crabbie’s Top Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Distance 2m 1/2f, £100,000 prize money, race shown on ITV1
2.50 - The Betway Mildmay Novices’ Steeple Chase (Grade 1)
Distance 3m 1f, £100,000 prize money, race shown on ITV1
3.25 - The JLT Melling Steeple Chase (Grade 1)
Distance 2m 4f, £200,000 prize money, race shown on ITV1
4.05 - The Randox Health Topham Steeple Chase (Grade 3)
Distance 2m 5f, £120,000 prize money, race shown on ITV1
4.40 - The Doom Bar Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Distance 3m 1/2f, £100,000 prize money, race shown on ITV1
5.15 - The Weatherbys Champion Standard Open NH Flat (Grade 2)
Distance 2m 1f, £45,000 prize money
Race times may be subject to changes.
What is Ladies’ Day?
Traditionally the ‘fun day’ of Grand National weekend, Ladies’ Day is an excuse to wear over-the-top, glamorous attire.
Famous faces mingle with regular race-goers in an expected crowd of 45,000, fighting for the ‘Style Award’ which is determined by judges in the Red Rum Garden.
Dubbed #FabulousFriday on social media, this party has no official dress code but colourful dresses and outrageous hats are encouraged.
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Are there any tickets available?
Tickets are selling fast for today’s event but there are a handful left for Festival Zone (£46) and Lord Daresbury Roof (£90), which can be bought on the official Randox Health Grand National website.
What will the weather be like?
The Met Office expects today to be better than Thursday’s showers, predicting a dry, cloudy, overcast day. Afternoon temperatures should be between 11C and 12C.
Visit the Random Health Grand National 2019 website to buy tickets.