Millions from world wide will tune in to look at the Grand National this afternoon (Saturday April 13). Thousands flock to Aintree, in Merseyside, to look at jockeys and their horses compete within the prestigious race.
Last yr’s winner Corach Rambler is among the many 34 runners on this yr’s Randox Grand National. The 10-year-old, skilled by Lucinda Russell, is vying to hitch the likes of Red Rum and Tiger Roll in successful the race for the second consecutive yr.
However, these watching at home and in-person will discover a variety of adjustments this yr. Five new measures have been launched this yr to make sure the security and welfare of the horses and jockeys by making an attempt to cut back the variety of fallers and accidents.
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The Jockey Club introduced the adjustments to this yr’s race, which is held at Aintree, again in February, together with making the beginning time earlier and decreasing the variety of horses collaborating within the Grand National from 40 to 34 to decrease the probability of incidents occurring in the course of the race.
The first fence has been moved 60 yards nearer to the beginning with the intention that runners will method it at a slower pace from a standing begin. There will probably be no parade of the sphere earlier than the race with the horses participating in a canter previous the stands as an alternative. The peak of the eleventh fence has additionally been lowered by two inches to 4ft 10ins.
The evaluate was carried out by Aintree’s house owners the Jockey Club after protests disrupted final yr’s race. The Grand National was delayed by 14 minutes whereas police and safety handled protesters who acquired onto the course – whereas a whole lot of others tried to interrupt by means of perimeter fences.
With hopefully no disruptions this yr, this is what time the Grand National kicks off and how you can tune in.
How can I watch the Grand National?
The race will probably be aired reside on ITV1 in addition to Racing TV. It may also be streamed reside on ITVX.
ITV Racing may be discovered on Sky Channel 103 and Virgin Media Channel 103. RacingTV may be watched in your TV, pill, or cell, in addition to Sky Channel 426 and Virgin Media Channel 536.
What time does the Grand National begin?
This yr, the Grand National begins on the earlier time of 4pm. It has been introduced ahead from its common time of 5.15pm.
To take part with the build up and different races on the day, you possibly can tune in to ITV’s protection from 12.55pm on Saturday. The program wraps up for round 5pm.
