When is the Grand National 2022? What time is the Grand National? UK TV channel and race schedules

The famous Grand National is back once again and will showcase three days of horse racing at Aintree Racecourse, Merseyside, England.

The most famous event at the Grand National is the National Hunt handicap steeplechase which sees the horses jump over 30 fences over an official distance of about 4 miles and 2 ½ furlongs.

The first race to take place was in 1839 and is the most valuable jump race in Europe securing a prize fund of £1million in 2017.

Red Rum is the most successful horse at the Grand National and is the only horse to have won the race three times.

He won in 1973, 1974 and 1977, coming in second in the two intervening years. In 1973, the iconic horse also finished the race in nine minutes 1.9 seconds, taking 18.3 seconds off the previous record and this is a record that stood for 17 years.

The Grand National is sponsored by Randox Health, a deal that was first brought into action in December 2020 and will continue until at least 2026.

In 2021, history was made once again when Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the race with Minella Times.

So with just over a week to go until the event kicks off, here is all you need to know ahead of the Grand National...

When is the Grand National?

The three days will commence on Thursday 7 April 2022 with the Opening Day.

Ladies Day takes place on Friday 8 April 2022 and the Grand National Day takes place on Saturday 9 April.

The Randox Grand National Steeplechase itself will take place at 5:15pm on 9 April.

Where is the Grand National?

The Grand National takes place at Aintree Racecourse, Merseyside.

What are the requirements for horses at the Grand National

Horses must be seven years or older and have previously placed in a recognised chase of three miles or more.

It is also a handicap race so the horses must conform to specific weights.

How to watch the Grand National

The 2022 Randox Grand National will be shown live on ITV Racing and Racing TV.

The ITV Website and Racing TV will also stream the races.

Who is likely to win at the Grand National?

Tiger Roll has been phenomenally impressive at recent events but it was announced by his trainer, Michael O’Leary that he would not compete due to the weight requirements.

Minella Times may come back for a second win after an incredible Cheltenham Festival.

Blackmore will once more be riding Minella Times and they look like the pair to beat in 2022.

There are currently just under 80 horses hoping to compete but only 40 will get a final spot at the line-up.

What is the schedule?

Thursday 7 April:

• 1.45pm: The SSS Super Alloys Manifesto Novices’ Steeple Chase
• 2.20pm: The Anniversary 4-y-0 Juvenile Hurdle, Grade 1
• 2.55pm: The Betway Bowl Steeplechase, Grade 1
• 3.30pm: The Betway Aintree Hurdle 
• 4.05pm: The Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ SteepleChase
• 4.40pm: The Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap SteepleChase
• 5.15pm: The Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat

Friday 8 April: Ladies Day

• 1.45pm: The Orrell Park Handicap Hurdle
• 2.20pm: The Betway Top Novices’ Hurdle
• 2.50pm: The Betway Mildmay Novices’ SteepleChase
• 3.25pm: The Marsh SteepleChase
• 4.05pm: The Randox Health Topham SteepleChase
• 4.40pm: The Sefton Novices’ Hurdle
• 5.15pm: The Lydiate Handicap Hurdle

Saturday 9 April

• 1.45pm: The EFT Construction Handicap Hurdle
• 2.25pm: The Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle
• 3pm: The Maghull Novices’ Steeple Chase
• 3.35pm: The Liverpool Hurdle 
• 4.15pm: The Betway Handicap Steeple Chase
• 5.15pm: The Randox Grand National Steeplechase
• 6.20pm: The Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race