Grand National
The Grand National festival begins on Thursday 7 April. Getty

One of the highlights of the racing calendar is almost upon us. The Grand National Festival at Aintree will gather thousands of racing fans from across the country, with millions more tuning on from home or the pub. There are full racecards on Thursday 7 April and Friday 8 April, culminating in The Crabbie's Grand National itself at 5.15pm on Saturday 9 April. Who's your money on?

Where to watch

Channel 4 are dedicating over 18 hours of live coverage to this year's event. The show will begin at 1:45pm on Thursday and Friday. Saturday's coverage begins at 2pm, right through until 6:30pm.

The Grand National itself has been moved back to a later time of 5:15pm. Almost nine million people tuned into watch Many Clouds cross the finishing line last year in a race that started at 4:15pm, but Channel 4 and Aintree execs hope the later start time will increase their audience even further.

Who is the favourite?

The 169<sup>th Grand National sees 2015 winner Many Clouds once again favourite to take the crown. Jockey Leighton Aspell is looking to become the first jockey to ride three National winners on the trot.

Many Clouds
Many Clouds the favourite for another Grand National win. Getty

Grand National schedule (all times BST)

Thursday 7 April 2016

1:40pm – Aintree Manifesto Novices Chase (Grade 1)

2:15pm – Anniversary 4YO Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1)

2:50pm – Betfred Bowl (Grade 1)

3:25pm – Aintree Hurdle (Class 1)

4:05pm – Foxhunters Chase (Grade 3)

4:40pm – Red Rum Handicap Chase (Grade 2)

5:15pm – Aintree Mares flat race

Friday 8 April (Ladies Day)

1.40pm – Alder Hey Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

2.15pm – Top Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)

2.50pm – Betfred Midway Novices' Chase (Grade 1)

3.25pm – JLT Melling Chase (Grade 1)

4.05pm – Crabbie's Topham Chase (Grade 3)

4.40pm – Doom Bar Sefton Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)

5.15pm – Goffs Nickel Coin Mares' Standard Open (Grade 2)

Saturday 9 April (Grand National Day)

1.45pm – Aintree Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

2.25pm – EZ Trader Mersey Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)

3.00pm – Doom Bar Maghull Novices' Chase (Grade 1)

3.40pm – Liverpool Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1)

4.20pm – Betfred Handicap Chase (Listed)

5.15pm – The Crabbie's Grand National (Grade 3)

6.10pm – The Pinsent Masons Handicap Hurdle (Class 2)

Latest Grand National odds via Betfair (subject to change)

Many Clouds – 7/1

The Last Samuri – 10/1

Silviniaco Conti – 12/1

Holywell – 14/1

Saint Are – 14/1

The Druids Nephew – 14/1

Cause of Causes – 16/1

Bishops Road – 20/1

Boston Bob – 20/1

Gallant Oscar – 20/1

Goonyella – 20/1

Shutthefrontdoor – 20/1

Kruzhlinin – 25/1

Morning Assembly – 25/1

O'Faolains Boy – 25/1

Triolo Dalene – 25/1

Ucello Conti – 25/1

Unioniste – 25/1

Alvarado 33-1

First Lieutenant – 33/1

Just a Par – 40/1

Le Reve – 40/1

Midnight Prayer – 40/1

Onenightinvienna – 40/1

Pineau De Re – 40/1

Sir Des Champs – 40/1

The Romford Pele – 40/1

Ballynagour – 50/1

Black Thunder – 50/1

Buywise – 50/1

Double Seven – 50/1

Gilgamboa – 50/1

Hadrian's Approach – 50-1

Highland Lodge – 50/1

On His Own – 50/1

Rocky Creek – 50/1

Royale Knight – 50/1

Rule the World – 50/1

Soll – 50/1

Vic's Canvas – 50/1

Viex Lion Rouge – 50/1

Wonderful Charm – 50/1

Ballycasey – 66/1

Double Ross – 66/1

Home Farm – 66/1

Katenko – 66/1

Pendra – 66/1

Perfect Candidate – 66/1

Aachen – 100/1