Randox Grand National to become a 72-hour declaration race in 2026
Aintree Racecourse announces today that the world’s greatest steeplechase, the £1 million Randox Grand National, will become a 72-hour declaration race from this year onwards.
First staged in 1839, the Randox Grand National takes place for the 178th time at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday 11th April.
The change means that the final declaration stage now moves forward to the Wednesday preceding the Randox Grand National (Wednesday 8th April in 2026) rather than the Thursday as in previous years.
Explaining the reasons for the changes, Sulekha Varma, Clerk of the Course at Aintree Racecourse, said: “We’re really pleased to be able to make the Randox Grand National a 72-hour declaration race from 2026, providing greater clarity for not only participants and racing stakeholders but also fans.
“The Jockey Club successfully introduced 72-hour declarations for the Betfred Derby at Epsom Downs last year and, while the Randox Grand National is now the only UK jumps race to implement this, it also brings us in line with other global races such as the Melbourne Cup and Kentucky Derby.
“We’re extremely grateful to the British Horseracing Authority for their support in helping us make this change.”
Dickon White, who runs Aintree Racecourse as The Jockey Club’s North West Regional Director, added: “The Randox Grand National is not only a Great British institution but a truly global sporting event which is broadcast in around 170 countries with a huge audience worldwide.
“We hope that by introducing 72-hour declarations we’re able to get people excited about and engaged in the race from an even earlier stage, whether a racing fanatic, someone having their once-a-year flutter or doing a sweepstake.”
Acknowledging that a move to 72-hour declarations may increase the chance of non-runners, it is also announced today that the number of reserves for the race, which were reintroduced in 2025, will increase from four to six. Reserves can be brought into the Randox Grand National up to 1pm the day before the race (Friday 10th April in 2026).
Changes to running order on Randox Grand National Day
In another move announced today, there will be a slight change to the order of running on Randox Grand National Day from 2026.
While the Randox Grand National will remain in its current slot of 4pm, the racing will now start earlier, with the first race scheduled for 12.45pm.
Sulekha Varma explained: “Our annual review following the 2023 Randox Grand National resulted in the start time for the race moving forward to 4pm in order to reduce the time between any irrigation taking place and the race being run, and also to shorten the build-up to the race for participants.
“While this move has been well-received for the Randox Grand National itself, feedback we have received pointed to it not being ideal having a race of the stature of the Grade One Maghull Novices’ Chase following immediately afterwards.
“We have therefore decided to make a small change to the running order, with the first race will now taking place at 12.45pm rather than 1.20pm, with both Grade One races on the day being staged prior to the Randox Grand National.
“As has been the case in previous years, moving forward the only race following the Randox Grand National will be the Grade Two Bumper, which starts at 5pm.”