The world’s most popular jumps race returns to Aintree this week, as 40 runners tackle the 30 formidable jumps of the 4 and a half mile Grand National course.

More than 150,000 racegoers are expected to attend across the 3 days of the festival, taking place around 6 miles outside of Liverpool from Thursday 12th – Saturday 14th April. For those of us without a golden ticket to the event itself, coverage will be provided by ITV, with the grand attraction going off at 5:15pm on the final day.

105 horses were entered this year, each assigned a weight by the British Horse Racing Authority Head of Handicapping. The weights were released on Valentine’s Day, sparking the withdrawal of just under 2/3 of entries by owners and trainers between that date and the beginning of the festival. The final field of 40 (and 4 reserves) will be confirmed in the days leading up to the big race. You can check out the provisional entries and their ante-post odds, here.

If you are lucky enough to be attending, or in the area, we have compiled a list of pubs and bars in Liverpool with plenty of offers and events to entertain you before, after, and even during the meeting.

Tally-ho!