Grand National Declarations Changed To 72 Hours Out

The £1-million Randox Grand National will become a 72-hour declaration race beginning in 2026, Aintree Racecourse announced on Wednesday.

This year's edition is the 178th at Aintree and will be run on Saturday, April 11. The final declaration stage will be Wednesday, April 8. Previously, the final declarations were held on Thursday. The number of reserves for the race, which were reintroduced in 2025, will increase from four to six. Reserves can be brought into the Randox Grand National up to 1 p.m. the day before the race. This year, that date is Friday, April 10. Racing will also begin earlier on the Grand National card at 12:45 p.m. The Grade 2 bumper will be the card's finale after the 4 p.m. Grand National.

Sulekha Varma, clerk of the course at Aintree Racecourse, said, “We're really pleased to be able to make the Randox Grand National a 72-hour declaration race from 2026, providing greater clarity for not only participants and racing stakeholders but also fans.

“The Jockey Club successfully introduced 72-hour declarations for the Betfred Derby at Epsom Downs last year and, while the Randox Grand National is now the only UK jumps race to implement this, it also brings us in line with other global races such as the Melbourne Cup and Kentucky Derby.

“We're extremely grateful to the British Horseracing Authority for their support in helping us make this change.”