2022 Randox Grand National: start time, TV details, tickets, contenders and more

The Randox Grand National is the biggest jumps race in the world and on Saturday 40 runners will head to Aintree bidding to join the famous roll of honour.

The Grand National is the highlight of three days of top-class racing on Merseyside, with the meeting running between Thursday, April 7 and Saturday, April 9 in 2022.

Last year Rachael Blackmore, fresh from being crowned top jockey at the Cheltenham Festival, created history by becoming the first female jockey to win the race aboard Minella Times for Henry de Bromhead, who saddled a 1-2 with Balko Des Flos in second. JP McManus's second winner in the race scored behind closed doors, while the 2020 contest was cancelled entirely due to Covid-19.

This year, crowds will flock to Liverpool for the first time since Tiger Roll made it back-to-back wins in the £1 million race in 2019.

5.15 Aintree Saturday: Randox Grand National racecard and betting

When and where does the Grand National take place?

The Grand National is run at Aintree, situated on the outskirts of Liverpool, on Saturday, April 9. The National is one of seven races on the final day of the meeting and is off at 5.15, having been run at that later start time since 2016 to avoid clashing with the nation's 3pm football kick-offs.

The Aintree festival begins on Thursday at 1.45, with four Grade 1s on the opening day. There are four more top-level contests on Friday and an additional three on Saturday.

What are the conditions of the race?

The Grand National is famous due to the difference it holds to all other races in the traditional racing calendar. The extreme distance of four miles and two and a half furlongs make it the longest race of the season. The race is also run over the historic Grand National course, which is used for only five races each season, three of which are at this meeting.

Horses will jump 30 fences over two circuits and the obstacles are renowned for being more difficult in comparison to traditional fences, although the test is not as stiff as it once was.

Becher's Brook is perhaps the most famous of the obstacles, while The Chair, Canal Turn and Foinavon fence are also renowned.

Big-race tips: why this horse can win the Grand National at Aintree

Who are the main Grand National contenders?

Irish trainer Ted Walsh knows what it takes to win a Grand National, having won the race with Papillon in 2000 and he holds a strong chance with last year's third Any Second Now, who warmed up for the race with a narrow success over Escaria Ten, who reopposes, in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse.

Leading owner JP McManus can also rely on last year's winner Minella Times and Enjoy D'Allen, while Cheltenham Cross Country winner Delta Work, who defeated dual Aintree hero Tiger Roll at the festival last month, and Run Wild Fred are among a host of chances for Gigginstown, which have taken three of the last five runnings of the race.

Snow Leopardess: one of Britain's leading hopes having won over the National fencesCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The Charlie Longsdon-trained Becher Chase winner Snow Leopardess offers the best hope of the British-trained contingent according to the betting.

Confidence high for 'incredibly talented' Grand National gamble

Has the 2022 Grand National field been confirmed?

Yes. Declarations for the big race were made at 10am on Thursday, with the highest-rated 40 horses left in contention guaranteed a run. Four reserves were also named and they had until 1pm on Friday for any horse above them in the list to be withdrawn to allow them to sneak into proceedings. Luckily for Commodore, School Boy Hours and Romain De Senam, three of the qualified horses – Phoenix Way, Easysland and Lord Du Mesnil – were declared non-runners before that deadline.

Grand National: confirmed runners and riders for Saturday's big race

How can I watch the racing and can I buy tickets?

With racegoers eager to return to watch the Grand National in person for the first time since 2019, tickets for next Saturday's extravaganza have been in high demand with the grandstand areas having long been sold out.

However, some tickets have come back on sale in the 'Festival Zone' which are available here on Aintree's website for £95. A wider variety of ticketing options are still available for Thursday's opening day and the big day for the women of Liverpool, Ladies Day on Friday.

However, if you are unable to make it to Merseyside, the Grand National will as usual be broadcast to millions around the world with ITV, Racing TV and Virgin Media One in Ireland all showing the race.

What other big races and horses should I keep an eye on?

The Grand National is the feature race on Saturday, but there is high-quality action across the three-day festival with a total of 11 Grade 1 races taking place.

The opening day will see the renewal of the SSS Super Alloys Manifesto Novices' Steeple Chase (1.45), Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (2.20), Betway Bowl Chase (2.55) and Betway Aintree Hurdle (3.30).

Clan Des Obeaux is among the star names on the opening day when he bids to defend his title in the Betway Bowl, although Gold Cup third Protektorat is among the opposition. Champion Hurdle second and third Epatante and Zanahiyr clash in the Aintree Hurdle, while Pied Piper and Cheltenham Festival winner Brazil are two notable entries for the Juvenile Hurdle.

Seven Cheltenham Festival absentees with a score to settle at Aintree

On Friday, which is Ladies Day, there will be four more Grade 1s as the Betway Top Novices' Hurdle (2.20), Betway Mildmay Novices' Chase (2.55), Marsh Chase – registered as the Melling – (3.30) and Cavani Menswear Sefton Novices' Hurdle (4.40) take place.

Jonbon, Bravemansgame, L'Homme Presse and Fakir D'Oudaries are among the top names set to be in action on the second day of the meeting.

The action concludes on Saturday with the Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle (2.25), Maghull Novices' Chase (3.00) and JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (3.35), before the Grand National at 5.15.

Who should I bet on during the Grand National festival?

Have a look at the cards and check out our free bet offers to start with, then stay up to date with the Racing Post website, mobile app and newspaper for our expert betting advice and all the latest news in the run-up to the big week.

2022 Grand National festival offers

• Join Paddy Power and back one horse and get another one free – plus they are paying six places on the Grand National. Sign up here.
• Sky Bet are paying an industry-leading seven places on the Grand National. Anyone with an account can claim these, but sign up here if you don't have an account.
• New Betfair customers can get a free bet when they sign up and also get six places on the Grand National. Sign up for a new account here.
• Ladbrokes are going six places on the Grand National. Sign up for a new account here.
• Coral are paying six places on the Grand National. Not got an account? Sign up here to benefit from the extra places here.
• bet365 have a new customer offer available when you sign up to a new account. You can also claim six places on the Grand National. Get started here.
• New William Hill customers can claim a free bet for Sunday if they bet on Saturday and also get six places on the Grand National here.
• 888 Sport have free bets for all new customers. Sign up here. New and existing customers can get six places on the Grand National.
• If you're a new customer, Tote will give you a free bet. Sign up here to claim and bet on the Grand National.

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Place a £10 bet with Paddy Power and get a £10 free bet to use. New customer offer. Place a €10 Sportsbook bet, minimum odds 1.5 (1/2), and get €10 in sports free bets. Only deposits made using cards and Apple Pay will qualify for this promotion. Free bets will be awarded after the qualifying bet has been settled and are valid for 30 days. T&Cs apply. Sign up here.