Welcome to the 2026 Grand National Meeting, three days of Liverpudlian glitter, questionable millinery choices, and the kind of sporting drama that makes even the most casual observer believe they can “read” a 34-runner handicap.
Running from Thursday, April 9 to Saturday, April 11, the Aintree Festival is the more relaxed, slightly louder cousin to Cheltenham. While Cheltenham is for the purists, Aintree is for the punters.