2009 Grand National Meeting Guide: Day 1

The 2009 Grand National meeting at Aintree Racecourse gets underway on Thursday the 2rd of April 2009. The first day of the event sees tens of thousands of visitors flock to Aintree to enjoy the first round of races. Tickets for the first day of the Grand National meeting tend to be cheaper and more readily available than those for the weekend; however it is still a good idea to book tickets in advance.

The Liverpool HurdleAINTREE, ENGLAND - APRIL 12: Richard Johnson and Mighty Man clear the last hurdle to land The John Smith's Liverpool Hurdle Race run at Aintree Racecourse on April 12, 2007, in Aintree, England. (Photo by Julian Herbert/Getty Images)

The Liverpool hurdle offers novices their first outing at the Grand National meeting over a hurdle course. This race is generally regarded as the second leg of the Cheltenham Festival World Hurdle, which also gives a good indication of which horse will produce a win in this race.

The Bowl Steeplechase

The Bowl Steeplechase is a Grade 2 chase which gives horses on the brink of graduating to Grade 3 chasing the opportunity to take on the obstacles of the Aintree racecourse. This race is not regarded as a particularly severe test of jumping ability and horses that have performed well in shorter races at other tracks are often very competitive.

4 Year Old Novices Hurdle

The third race on the Grand National card provides a glimpse of future Grand National racing talent. This race provides an excellent opportunity for serious punters to acquaint themselves with the character and abilities of the young horses on the verge of qualifying for steeplechase events in the 2009/2010 season.

Fox Hunter’s Steeplechase

The Fox Hunter’s Steeplechase gives the best hunter chasers the chance to contest a race run at furious pace over Aintree Racecourse. This exciting race provides one of the Grand National’s finest racing spectacles.

Red Rum Handicap Steeplechase

The Red Rum Handicap Steeplechase is the first Grade 3 chase of the Grand National meeting. The race is run over two miles and showcases the talents of the best sprinters in National Hunt racing.

The Mersey Novices’ Hurdle

The Mersey Novices’ Hurdle sees a big field take on the hurdle course. The race is a handicap, which also makes it one of the most challenging for picking a winner.

The Handicap Hurdle

As the last race on the Grand National card for day one, the Handicap Hurdle gives determined punters their final opportunity to cash in on the excellent Grand National odds in preparation for the following day’s racing.

Once you’ve familiarised yourself with our Grand National Meeting guide (day 1), we recommend William Hill for the best racehorse betting experience.