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Grand National Ladies Day (Friday) – Races, Runners & Racecard

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As the second day of the Grand National Festival settles in, it is time for the ladies to take over the Aintree Racecourse. The Grand National Ladies Day is the second day of the event that combines horse racing with some of the best examples of racecourse fashion.

It typically falls on a Friday and includes a style award that recognises bold and vibrant fashion in three categories: best dressed, best suited, and best hat. The headline race of the day is the Melling Chase.

In this article you will find detailed information on what to expect on the second day of the Grand National, what races it hosts, and what its race cards have in store for horse racing enthusiasts. 

 

Grand National Ladies Day Overview

The Grand National Ladies Day will take place on Friday, 10 April 2026 at the Aintree Racecourse in Merseyside, near Liverpool. It will host 7 out of the total of 21 races of the event. Out of these, 4 races are classified as Grade 1: Mildmay Novices’ Chase, Top Novices’ Hurdle, Melling Chase, and Sefton Novices’ Hurdle.

The main schedule of the Ladies Day is as follows:

  • Date: Friday, 10 April
  • Gate opening: 10:30 am
  • First race: 1:45 pm
  • Headline race: 3:30 pm
  • Last race: 5:15 pm

 

Grand National Ladies Day Races Schedule

The daily race card for the Ladies Day of the Grand National Festival 2026 is as follows:

Friday, 10 April

Going: Mildmay Course Hurdle: good (good to soft in places), Chase: good (good to soft in places); National Course Chase: good to soft (good in places)

Time Race Distance  Conditions 
1:45 pm THE WILLIAM HILL HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1) (PREMIER HANDICAP) (GBB RACE)  (CL 1) Two miles about four furlongs 

(2m 4f)

 4YO+ £75,000.00
2:20 pm THE MILDMAY NOVICES’ STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (Grade 1) (GBB RACE)  (CL 1) Three miles about one furlong 

(3m 210yds)

 5YO+ £120,000.00
2:55 pm THE TOP NOVICES’ HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1) (Grade 1) (GBB RACE)  (CL 1) Two miles about half a furlong 

(2m 103yds)

 4YO+ £100,000.00
3:30 pm THE JCB MELLING STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (Grade 1) (GBB RACE)  (CL 1) Two miles about four furlongs 

(2m 3f 200yds)

 5YO+ £250,000.00
4:05 pm THE RANDOX TOPHAM HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (PREMIER HANDICAP) (GBB RACE)  (CL 1) Two miles about five furlongs 

(2m 5f 19yds)

 5YO+ £150,000.00
4:40 pm THE ODDSCHECKER SEFTON NOVICES’ HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1) (Grade 1) (GBB RACE)  (CL 1) Three miles about half a furlong 

(3m 149yds)

 4YO+ £100,000.00
5:15 pm THE DEBENHAMS HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 2) (CONDITIONAL JOCKEYS’ AND AMATEUR RIDERS’ RACE) (GBB RACE)  (CL 2) Two miles about half a furlong 

(2m 103yds)

 4YO+ £50,000.00

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Grand National Ladies Day Racecards & Runners

Grand National Ladies Day runners will be announced for each race closer to the event date. The final runners are normally announced approximately 48 hours before the start of each individual race.

At the same time, the Grand National Ladies Day racecard is already publicly available, providing the schedule and conditions for each race.

 

Race 1: William Hill Handicap Hurdle – Racecard & Runners

  • Start time: 1:45 pm
  • Distance: about 2 miles and 4 furlongs (4,023 metres)
  • Course: 8 hurdles
  • Horses: four years or older

The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:

  1. Jingko Blue (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nicky J Henderson)
  2. Iberico Lord (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nicky J Henderson)
  3. Favour And Fortune (age 8, jockey Thomas Bellamy, trainer Alan King)
  4. Rambo T (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Olly Murphy)
  5. Indeevar Bleu (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Olly Murphy)
  6. Zanndabad (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer A J Martin)
  7. Scorpio Rising (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Olly Murphy)
  8. Fingle Bridge (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Olly Murphy)
  9. Joyeuse (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nicky Henderson)
  10. Fiercely Proud (age 7, jockey Kielan Woods, trainer Ben Pauling)
  11. Wellington Arch (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jonjo & A J O’Neill)
  12. Act Of Authority (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Olly Murphy)
  13. Captain Teague (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Paul Nicholls)
  14. Montemares (age 5, jockey Stan Sheppard, trainer Tom Lacey)
  15. Starmount ( age 6, jockey Ben Jones, trainer Ben Pauling)
  16. Frankie John (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Denis Gerard Hogan)
  17. Skyjack Hijack (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jennie Candlish)
  18. Swindon Village (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Longsdon)
  19. Jet To Vegas (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore)
  20. Hot Fuss (age 5, jockey David Bass, trainer Tom Dascombe)
  21. Bowmore (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Longsdon)
  22. Hold The Serve (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Olly Murphy)
  23. Glance At Midnight (age 6, jockey Harry Skelton, trainer Dan Skelton)
  24. Faivoir (age 11, jockey Miss Heidi Palin, trainer Dan Skelton)
  25. Fiveonefive (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Cian Collins)
  26. Jazzy Matty (age 7, jockey Danny Gilligan, trainer Cian Collins)
  27. Emid’io Pepe (age 5, jockey Tristan Durrell, Dan Skelton)
  28. Gatineau Park (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls)
  29. Ballykinlar (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Mickey Bowen)
  30. Top Jimmy (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies)
  31. George’s Lad (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Emma Lavelle)
  32. Lisnagar Fortune (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer John McConnell)
  33. Onlyforfrankie (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Alastair Ralph)
  34. Trustintimes (age 5, jockey Bryan Carver, trainer Harry Fry)
  35. Serious Chat (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Donald McCain Jr)
  36. Ike Sport (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Neil Mulholland)
  37. Sir Galahad (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Olly Murphy)
  38. Doc Mccoy (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jamie Snowden)
  39. Sherminator (age 5, jockey Bryan Carver, trainer Harry Fry)
  40. Static (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Donald McCain Jr)
  41. Kosac D’oudairies (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jamie Snowden)
  42. Harry Lowes (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Dan Skelton)
  43. Irandando Has (age 7, jockey Toby Wynne, trainer Sam Allwood)
  44. Hamsiyann (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer A J Martin)
  45. A Perfect Day (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ben Clarke)
  46. Masked Dance (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Mel Rowley)
  47. Pourquoi Pas Papa (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Paul Nicholls)
  48. Authentic Legacy (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gary & Josh Moore)
  49. A Different Kind (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Donald McCain Jr)
  50. Le Tiep’s Sacre (age 5, jockey Caoilin Quinn, trainer Gary & Josh Moore)

 

Race 2: Mildmay Novices’ Chase – Racecard & Runners

  • Start time: 2:20 pm 
  • Distance: about 3 miles and 1 furlong (3 miles and 210 yards, or 5,020 metres)
  • Course: 19 fences
  • Horses: five years or older

The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:

  1. Crest Of Fortune (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Anthony Honeyball)
  2. Doyen Quest (age 8, jockey Harry Skelton, trainer Dan Skelton)
  3. Gold Dancer (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Willie Mullins)
  4. Jordans Cross (age 6, jockey Sam Twiston-Davies, trainer Anthony Honeyball)
  5. Miami Magic (age 7, jockey Charlie Hammond, trainer Stuart Edmunds)
  6. Millforce (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Henry Oliver)
  7. Regent’s Stroll (age 7, jockey Harry Cobden, trainer Paul Nicholls)
  8. Salver (age 6, jockey Caoilin Quinn, trainer Gary & Josh Moore)
  9. Wendigo (age 7, jockey Jonathan Burke, trainer Jamie Snowden)

 

Race 3: Top Novices’ Hurdle – Racecard & Runners

  • Start time: 2:55 pm
  • Distance: about 2 miles and half a furlong (2 miles and 103 yards, or 3,313 metres)
  • Course: 9 hurdles
  • Horses: four years or older

The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:

  1. Ballyfad (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gordon Elliott)
  2. Baron Noir (age 6, jockey Thomas Bellamy, trainer Alan King)
  3. Generous Risk (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gordon Elliott)
  4. Lexington Wood (age 5, jockey Sean Bowen, trainer Olly Murphy)
  5. Montemares (age 5, jockey Stan Sheppard, trainer Tom Lacey)
  6. Mr Mcloughlan (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jack Jones)
  7. Rooster Crowing (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Mickael Seror)
  8. Sinnatra (age 6, jockey Harry Skelton, trainer Dan Skelton)
  9. Sober Glory (age 6, jockey Ben Jones, trainer Philip Hobbs & Johnson White)
  10. Starting Fifteen (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Eric McNamara)
  11. Storming George (age 6, jockey Jack Quinlan, trainer Neil King)
  12. La Conquiere (age 7, jockey Jonathan Burke, trainer Jamie Snowden)
  13. Lord Byron (age 4, jockey Harry Cobden, trainer Faye Bramley)
  14. Winston Junior (age 4, jockey Harry Cobden, trainer Faye Bramley)

 

Race 4: Melling Chase – Racecard & Runners

  • Start time: 3:30 pm
  • Distance: about 2 miles and 4 furlongs (4,023 metres)
  • Course: 16 fences
  • Horses: five years or older

The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:

  1. Gidleigh Park (age 8, jockey Bryan Carver, trainer Harry Fry)
  2. Grey Dawning (age 9, jockey Harry Skelton, trainer Dan Skelton)
  3. Heart Wood (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Henry De Bromhead)
  4. Impaire Et Passe (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Willie Mullins)
  5. Jonbon (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nicky Henderson)
  6. JPR One (age 9, jockey Brendan Powell, trainer Joe Tizzard)
  7. L’eau Du Sud (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Dan Skelton)
  8. Libberty Hunter (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Cath Williams)
  9. Matata (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies)
  10. Protektorat (age 11, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Dan Skelton)
  11. Saint Segal (age 8, jockey Ciaran Gethings, trainer Jane Williams)
  12. Solness (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Joseph O’Brien)

 

Race 5: Topham Chase – Racecard & Runners

  • Start time: 4:05 pm
  • Distance: about 2 miles and 5 furlongs (2 miles 5 furlongs and 19 yards, or 4,242 metres)
  • Course: 18 fences 
  • Horses: five years or older

The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:

  1. Solness (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Joseph O’Brien)
  2. Il Est Francais (age 8, jockey Jonathan Burke, trainer Tom George)
  3. Firefox (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gordon Elliott)
  4. Matata (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies)
  5. Gentleman De Mee (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Willie Mullins)
  6. Ile Atlantique (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Willie Mullins)
  7. Hitman (age 10, jockey Freddie Gingell, trainer Paul Nicholls)
  8. Croke Park (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gordon Elliott)
  9. Madara (age 7, jockey Harry Skelton, trainer Dan Skelton)
  10. Boombawn (age 9, jockey Tristan Durrell, trainer Dan Skelton)
  11. Etalon (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Dan Skelton)
  12. Amirite (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Henry De Bromhead)
  13. Eldorado Allen (age 12, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Joe Tizzard)
  14. Bad (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ben Pauling)
  15. Will The Wise (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gavin Cromwell)
  16. Addragoole (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gavin Cromwell)
  17. Soul Icon (age 9, jockey Thomas Bellamy, trainer Karl Burke)
  18. Coming Up Easy (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Henry De Bromhead)
  19. Viroflay (age 9, jockey Olive Nicholls, trainer Paul Nicholls)
  20. Prairie Wolf (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith)
  21. Conflated (age 12, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gordon Elliott)
  22. O’moore Park (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Willie Mullins)
  23. Heltenham (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Dan Skelton)
  24. Booster Bob (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Olly Murphy)
  25. Mahons Glory (age 10, jockey Lee Edwards, trainer Dylan Cunha)
  26. Lisnamult Lad (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ian Patrick Donoghue)
  27. Peaky Boy (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jonjo & A J O’Neill)
  28. Bill Baxter (age 10, jockey Sam Twiston-Davies, trainer Warren Greatrex)
  29. Teddy Blue (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Harry Derham)
  30. Pour Les Filles (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Mickey Bowen)
  31. Theatre Native (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Henry De Bromhead)
  32. Jipcot (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jonjo & A J O’Neill)
  33. The King Of PRS (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gavin Cromwell)
  34. Primoz (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore)
  35. Union Station (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gavin Cromwell)
  36. Indiana Jones (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Michael Morris)
  37. Excello (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nicky J Henderson)
  38. Glengouly (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Faye Bramley)
  39. Leader In The Park (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ben Pauling)
  40. Statuario (age 11, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Mickey Bowen)
  41. Sunnyvilla (age 11, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nicky G Richards)
  42. Bleu d’Enfer (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Donald McCain Jr)
  43. St Denis’s Well (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ian Patrick Donoghue)

 

Race 6: Sefton Novices’ Hurdle – Racecard & Runners

  • Start time: 4:40 pm
  • Distance: about 3 miles and half a furlong (4,964 metres)
  • Course: 13 hurdles
  • Horses: four years or older

The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:

  1. Catchintsavo (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Anthony Honeyball)
  2. Dalston Lad (age 6, jockey Harry Skelton, trainer Dan Skelton)
  3. Frankie John (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Denis Gerard Hogan)
  4. Gatineau Park (age 6, jockey Thomas Bellamy, trainer Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls)
  5. Harbour Island (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Olly Murphy)
  6. Hold The Serve (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Olly Murphy)
  7. Johnny’s Jury (age 6, jockey Jonathan Burke, trainer Jamie Snowden)
  8. Kaka’s Cousin (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jonjo & A J O’Neill)
  9. Kripticjim (age 6, jockey Brendan Powell, trainer Joe Tizzard)
  10. Legendary Luke (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jamie Snowden)
  11. Masked Man (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies)
  12. Mondoui’boy (age 6, jockey Ben Jones, trainer Ben Pauling)
  13. No Drama This End (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Paul Nicholls)
  14. Quantum Quest (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Henry De Bromhead)
  15. Seaniecon (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jonjo & A J O’Neill)
  16. Shadow Paddy (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Eoin Christopher McCarthy)
  17. Stride On (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore)
  18. Talk To The Man (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Paul Nicholls)
  19. The Big Clubman (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Paul Nolan)
  20. The Blue Room (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Olly Murphy)
  21. Tormund Giantsbane (age 6, jockey Tristan Durrell, trainer Dan Skelton)
  22. Ubatuba (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Olly Murphy)
  23. Zeus Power (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Joseph O’Brien)
  24. Diamond Du Berlais (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Willie Mullins)
  25. Good Girl Kathleen (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Emmet Mullins)
  26. Supreme Malinas (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Dan Skelton)
  27. Zanoosh (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Colm Murphy)

 

Race 7: Debenhams Handicap Hurdle Race – Racecard & Runners

  • Start time: 5:15 pm 
  • Distance: about 2 miles and 1/2 furlong (2 miles and 103 yards, or 3,312 metres)
  • Course: 8 hurdles
  • Horses: four years or older

The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:

  1. Zanndabad (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer A J Martin)
  2. Laafi (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer William Durkan)
  3. Captain Hugo (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Philip Hobbs & Johnson White)
  4. Gibbs Island (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Tom Lacey)
  5. Captain Ryan Matt (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Henry De Bromhead)
  6. Bowmore (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Longsdon)
  7. Jazzy Matty (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Cian Collins)
  8. Fiveonefive (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Cian Collins)
  9. Ballykinlar (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Mickey Bowen)
  10. Wreckless Eric (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jonjo & A J O’Neill)
  11. Last Kingdom (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Faye Bramley)
  12. Playtime (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gordon Elliott)
  13. Rubber Ball (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Neil King)
  14. Charlus (age 5, jockey Harry Atkins, trainer Dan Skelton)
  15. Litleangel Duseuil (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore)
  16. Queenie St Clair (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nick Scholfield)
  17. Wild Bill Hickok (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ciaran Murphy)
  18. Geromino (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Donald McCain Jr)
  19. Sir Galahad (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Olly Murphy)
  20. Static (age 5, jockey Charlie Maggs, trainer Donald McCain Jr)
  21. Ehteyat (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Michael Flannery)
  22. Sherminator (age 5, jockey Patrick Mullins, trainer Harry Fry)
  23. Mode Avion (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gordon Elliott)
  24. Harry Lowes (age 5, jockey Tristan Durrell, trainer Dan Skelton)
  25. Melon (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero)
  26. Wandering Ego (age 6, jockey Lewis Saunders, trainer Olly Murphy)
  27. Hamsiyann (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer A J Martin)
  28. The Mighty Celt (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Dan Skelton)
  29. Mr Mcloughlan (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jack Jones)
  30. Gooloogong (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer George Baker)
  31. Star Of Guiting (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ewan Whillans)
  32. Pourquoi Pas Papa (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Paul Nicholls)
  33. Next Twist (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Olly Murphy)
  34. No Ordinary Joe (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Faye Bramley)
  35. Afadil (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Paul Nicholls)
  36. Bibe Mus (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Paul Nicholls)
  37. Thank You Blue (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jennie Candlish)
  38. Indian River (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian Paul Keatley)
  39. Give Him A Chance (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Philip Rothwell)
  40. Raydamann (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gordon Elliott)
  41. A Different Kind (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Donald McCain Jr)
  42. Lord (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Donald McCain Jr)
  43. Count Of Vendome (age 6, jockey William Maggs, trainer Donald McCain Jr)
  44. Ice In The Veins (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Dan Skelton)
  45. Newtown Rambler (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian Paul Keatley)
  46. Munsif (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charles Byrnes)
  47. Across Earth (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gary & Josh Moore)
  48. Knock Off Soxs (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Kayley Woollacott)
  49. Misterdoc (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Dan Skelton)
  50. Secret Force (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gavin Cromwell)

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Key Races on Grand National Ladies Day

Grand National Ladies Day races include three major Grade 1 fixtures along with one headline race which is also Grade 1.

 

Melling Chase (Headline Race)

The Maghull Novices’ Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase that accepts both male and female horses aged five years or older. It is run over a distance of about 2 miles (1 mile 7 furlong and 176 yards, or 3,178 metres) and includes 12 fences to be jumped. This race is for novice chasers. The prize money is £250,000.

 

Mildmay Novices’ Chase

The Mildmay Novices’ Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase that accepts both male and female horses aged five years or older. It is run over a distance of about 3 miles and 1 furlong (3 miles and 210 yards, or 5,020 metres) and includes 19 fences to be jumped. This race is for novice chasers. The prize money is £120,000.

 

Top Novices’ Hurdle 

The Top Novices’ Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race that accepts both male and female horses aged four years or older. It is run over a distance of about 2 miles and half a furlong (2 miles and 103 yards, or 3,313 metres) and includes nine hurdles to be jumped. This race is for novice hurdlers. The prize money is £100,000.

 

Sefton Novices’ Hurdle

The Sefton Novices’ Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race that accepts both male and female horses aged four years or older. It is run over a distance of about 3 miles and half a furlong (4,964 metres) and includes 13 hurdles to be jumped. This race is for novice hurdlers. The prize money is £100,000.

GRAND NATIONAL BETTING

 

How to Read a Racecard for Grand National Ladies Day

Knowing how to read a race card is a useful skill for both bettors and recreational horse racing enthusiasts. A race card can provide you with all the essential information you will need to understand how a race is unfolding on the track and what to take into consideration when deciding on your next bet.

Race time: Every race card will let you know when each race of the fixture is scheduled to start. Besides using this information not to miss the set off, you can also calculate when the final declarations and subsequent non-runners will be announced, as these announcements are in direct connection to the start of the race. For those who want to place a bet on a particular race or horse, this information allows them to be prepared. 

Horse number: When horses come out on the track, each of them carries a large printed number on both sides. Assigned before the start, these numbers provide viewers with an easy way to follow the runners during a fast paced action on the track. However, they are in no way related to each horse’s odds or perceived probability to win the race. When placing a bet on a horse, bettors also use these numbers rather than names to avoid any confusion. 

Jockey: The jockey makes up a team with the horse on the tracks. Same as the horses, they have physical form, recent performance worth checking, as well as dynamics working with this particular horse. Another thing you may want to consider is how their set of skills translates into the requirements of the particular track and race.

Trainer: Trainers are the masterminds behind every training routine. Their style and ways of preparing for a race will translate differently for different horses as well as for different races. You can also check their past performance and achievements.

Weight: The horse’s weight is key information for the race. It is always displayed next to its name and age and provides a lot of indispensable insight for bettors. Traditionally, it is given in stones and pounds (for example, 9-7, i.e. 9 stones and 7 pounds) and includes the saddle, other equipment, as well as any additional weight a horse will be assigned. Depending on the weight, a horse will perform differently in different ground conditions, on long distances, and show different levels of acceleration. 

Official rating: While official rating (OR) can give you an overview of a horse’s recent performances, don’t use it as an indication of its odds or probability to win. In fact, official rating changes after every race: increases after a stellar performance, falls if the horse performed poorly, or stays the same if the outcome was within reasonable expectations. Besides, it directly influences the amount of weight a horse will be carrying in a handicap race. Horses with better OR are given more weight to balance them with slower horses. As a rule, 1 additional OR point equals to 1 additional pound. 

Form figures: Another piece of information to help you understand a horse’s current form are the form figures. It is displayed as a string of numbers next to the horse’s name, where each figure shows the place the horse took in the recent races. Races where the horse took the 10th place or lower will be shown as 0, dashes “-” show a break, and letters are the initials of outcomes like “fell” or “unseated rider”. The latter are more common in National Hunt races. Use this information to determine the horse’s current form and assess its chances to give a winning performance in the upcoming race.

 

Where to Find Latest Grand National Ladies Day Odds

Betting on the Grand National Ladies Day is as busy as during the other two days of the event. The variety of betting markets caters to the tastes and betting styles of all types of punters. Early odds are usually announced before the initial lists of runners are declared, with more stable odds coming in after the declarations.

An event of such significance as the Grand National Festival will be represented on all major bookmaking platforms that feature horse racing. Some of the most popular betting markets are:

  • Win: You are trying to predict which horse will come to the finish line first.
  • Place: You are betting that a horse of your choice will finish the race within the winning top, i.e. will be placed. 
  • Each way: You are placing two stakes on the same horse: one is for the horse to win the race and the other for it to take one of the paid placements, all within the same race.
  • Forecast: You are trying to predict the winner and the first runner up (i.e. the horse to come second to the finish line) in one race.
  • Tricast: You are trying to predict the winner, the first and the second runners up (i.e. the horses to come second and third to the finish line) in one race.

Always remember that horse racing odds have a tendency to change a lot before the start of the race. Factors that can influence the odds include the horse’s performance in races preceding the Ladies Day, its current physical form, ground conditions, and final declarations that may reveal non-runners.

If the bookmaking platform of your choice allows in-play betting, the odds will continue to fluctuate during the race at an even faster pace. Now that the race is in motion, every little development on the track changes the chances for its participants. That’s why live betting requires the ability to make quick decisions within a limited amount of time and under pressure.

As a UKGC licensed bookmaker, 7bet offers its customers a variety of horse racing betting markets and guarantees a safe and secure experience.

 

FAQ – Grand National Ladies Day

When is Grand National Ladies Day 2026?

Grand National Ladies Day takes place on Friday, 10 April 2026. It is held at the Aintree Racecourse in Merseyside, near Liverpool and is the second day of the Grand National Festival.

How many races are on Grand National Ladies Day?

The Grand National Ladies Day hosts 7 races out of the total of 21 conducted during the Grand National Festival.

What are the biggest races on Ladies Day?

The headline race of the Grand National Ladies Day is the Melling Chase, while other significant races include Mildmay Novices’ Chase, Top Novices’ Hurdle, and Sefton Novices’ Hurdle that are all Grade 1 races.

Betting is only available to participants aged 18 years and over. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org