What Time is the Grand National on Television?
The Grand National at Aintree racecourse, held from April 11th to 13th in 2024, draws thousands of spectators annually. But if you can’t attend in person, you can still catch all the racing action on TV. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to watch the Grand National on television.
The Grand National is the world’s most-watched horse race. If you’re unable to be at Aintree, you can easily watch the entire Grand National meeting from the comfort of your home. Prepare for three days of thrilling races by getting comfortable and tuning in.
Where can you watch the Grand National? If you have a Racing TV subscription, you can watch all races live. For viewers in the UK, the main ITV Channel provides comprehensive coverage by the ITV Racing team. The live broadcast is also available on ITVX, both on their website and app. For those on the go, BBC Radio 5 Live offers live audio coverage.
ITV Racing, presented by Ed Chamberlin and a team of expert pundits, will broadcast five races daily during the three-day festival, with an extended show on Grand National Day itself. The coverage includes insights from Grand-National winning jockeys like Sir Anthony McCoy, Ruby Walsh, and Mick Fitzgerald. Reporters will provide updates from around the course, the betting ring, and the starting line. Oli Bell will engage with viewers and delve into race statistics. The commentary team includes renowned voices such as Richard Hoiles, Mark Johnson, and Stewart Machin. Following the Grand National, Ruby Walsh and Oli Bell will provide a detailed analysis of the race, examining each fence jump.
For viewers outside the UK, accessing ITVX might require a VPN to watch the races live.
Using a VPN to watch the Grand National is a simple three-step process. First, download and install a VPN service, such as ExpressVPN. Next, connect to a UK server location within the VPN app. Finally, navigate to the ITVX live stream to watch the races. VPNs are recommended for legal recreational use, such as accessing services from other countries within the terms and conditions of those services, and enhancing online security and privacy while abroad. Illegal or malicious use of VPN services is not supported.
ITV Racing’s coverage begins at 2 pm each day, concluding at 5 pm on Thursday and Friday. On Grand National Saturday, coverage extends from 12:55 pm to 5 pm.
For those eager to delve into the pre-race excitement, ITV4 broadcasts the Opening Show, hosted by Oli Bell and special guests, from 9:30 am to 10:30 am on Thursday and Friday, and from 9:30 am to 11 am on Saturday. This show features expert analysis, previews of the major races, and insights from around the course. Guests will include prominent figures like Sir Anthony McCoy and Ruby Walsh.
The main event, the Grand National race, starts at 4 pm on Saturday, April 13th. You can stay updated with all the latest news and results on the Horse & Hound website and in their April 18th magazine issue.
The Horse & Hound magazine, published weekly, offers extensive coverage of equestrian sports, including news, reports, interviews, and training advice. Various subscription options are available, including print and online access. Stay informed about major equestrian events throughout 2025 with a Horse & Hound subscription, which provides comprehensive pre-event information, live online reports, and in-depth analysis in commemorative magazines.
