If you’re one of the lucky racegoers heading to this year’s Randox Grand National Festival (7–9 April 2022), check out our guide to visiting Aintree with all the information you need.
How to get there
If you’re planning a trip to Aintree Racecourse, then don’t miss our complete guide on how to get to Aintree, to help make your journey as stress-free as possible.
What to wear
Aintree racecourse doesn’t set an official dress code as such, however, smart wear is expected and what most spectators opt for.
There is often a mixture of attire from tweed (depending on the weather) and summer dresses (regardless of the weather!), with plenty of fake tan — after all this is Liverpool.
Described as a ‘spectacle of colour’, many visitors will showcase their favourite raceday outfits, so expect some interesting sights among the crowd.
Sports clothes and fancy dress are a definite no-no at the Grand National meeting.
Walk the Grand National course
Get close to the huge National fences — including The Chair, Becher’s Brook and the Canal Turn — during tours organised by the racecourse each morning over the three-day meeting.
It is important that you gamble responsibly and you can read more advice on how to bet here.
Know your betting lingo
Accumulator: bet involving two or more selections in different races — winnings from one are placed on the next
Also ran: any horse not finishing 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th in a race
Bar: denotes that all horses not already listed in the betting market for a race are at the bar price or longer odds
Each-way: a bet in two equal parts — one backing a horse to win and the other backing it to finish in the first three
Even money: betting odds where your stake exactly equals your winnings
Form: A horse’s race record. This is denoted by figures next to its name on a racecard
Odds on: odds where the winnings are less than the stake
On the nose: betting on a horse to win only
Placed: when a horse finishes in the first three.
Starting price: the official odds of the horse at which the bets are settled in betting shops.
Eating and drinking
There is a selection of food outlets for racegoers to enjoy and is guaranteed to suit all tastes — including international cuisine, street food stalls, selling hog roast, pizza, curry, traditional burgers, fish and chips plus more.
Costa coffee is also available from the bars (as well as alcohol of course!) or if you’re treating yourself head to the Moet et Chandon Champagne Bar.
Picnics are not allowed at the racecourse.
Keep up to date with all of Horse & Hound’s Grand National coverage this week via horseandhound.co.uk, where you will be able to read all of the latest news and features on the three-day meeting at Aintree.
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