The first day of the Grand National festival at Aintree saw driving wind and rain, but crowds topped 28,000, a 22% increase from last year. More than 150,000 racegoers are expected over the three-day festival, with around £250 million anticipated to be gambled on the Grand National race on Saturday.
Rachael Blackmore, who made history as the first woman to win the Grand National in 2021 on Minella Times, was made an official Grand National legend and had a bar named after her, Blackmore's, opened at Aintree. Blackmore, who is eight months pregnant, retired from racing in May last year and will be a TV pundit for ITV covering the Grand National on Saturday.
I don't know if this is going to help punters at all, but I think a really intelligent horse is such a help. Look at the likes of Tiger Roll. He wasn't the best jumper. People knew that about him. But he won two Grand Nationals because he worked out very quickly how to get from A to B without wasting too much time.
The Grand National race on Saturday will feature 34 runners and 30 fences. The current favourite to win is Panic Attack at odds of seven to one, according to bookmakers Paddy Power. Following the withdrawal of last year's winner Nick Rockett, 2024 champion I Am Maximus is likely to go into Saturday's race as the favourite of the 34 declared runners.
Celebrity and royal attendance added glamour to the festival, with Coleen Rooney attending on Saturday with her husband Wayne. Anne, The Princess Royal, was pictured in a VIP box on the first day of the meeting. Other celebrities in attendance on the first day included former England striker Michael Owen and ex-Olympic hockey player Sam Quek.
I think it has such a different feel in the weighing room beforehand to any of the Cheltenham races. There's more of an air of excitement rather than divine focus. You know what I mean? Before a Champion Hurdle, some people sit quietly and are in their own thoughts, while others are over-chatty because that's how they deal with it. But the National, everyone's just kind of, there's a bit of a buzz. There's definitely a buzz. There's a bit of slagging, a few jokes and a few good looks here and there. It's got a real different feel to it. You don't get that with any other race.
The festival atmosphere is marked by a relaxed dress code, with organizers telling attendees to come 'dressed to feel your best'. More than 45,000 usually descend on Aintree for Ladies Day, and the festival is broadcast live to a television audience of around 800 million people worldwide.
Rachael Blackmore shared insights and tips for the festival races, emphasizing the unique atmosphere of the Grand National. She described the weighing room beforehand as having more excitement and buzz compared to other races. She believes an intelligent horse is more important than good jumping for winning the Grand National. For the Melling Chase on Friday at Aintree, she tipped Heart Wood.
I feel like Aintree is such a Grand National-focused meeting, but Henry's going to go over there with Heart Wood. He's sensational and he was, I thought, at Cheltenham.
Aintree Racecourse in Sefton, Merseyside, has hosted the historic Grand National Festival since 1839.
Aintree is such an incredibly special place and I was so lucky to have an amazing day here in 2021, and I absolutely love coming back here. I love Liverpool - I love the city, I love the people, and it's just a fantastic place. When I see the list of names - including equine athletes - on the Grand National legends roll of honour, it's so special to be part of that and a great honour. I never thought there would be a racecourse bar named after me. It does hit home how lucky I am.
Winning the Randox Grand National at Aintree on Minella Times is a moment in my life I will never forget. Seeing my name now included on the list of Grand National Legends is such an honour, I feel very lucky to be part of that history. I'm also looking forward to opening Blackmore's Bar at the racecourse, something I definitely thought I would never be saying! It's a cool idea and something a bit different that people can hopefully enjoy during the week.