Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Dan Haygarth

Grand National 2023: 32 pictures show how much fun people had on opening day

The Grand National is back and people have returned to Aintree in their droves.

The festival kicked off with Opening Day and gates opened at 11am, with the first race starting at 1.45pm. Plenty of keen visitors were seen making their way through the gates early in the day.

Today's first day of racing began with the Racehorse Lotto Manifesto Novices’ Steeple Chase and ended with the Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat.

READ MORE: Full list of Grand National runners and riders 2023 pinstickers' guide

The big change for racegoers this year was announced back in February, when The Jockey Club said dress codes would no longer be in place at any of its 15 racecourses, including Aintree. The removal of dress codes came as The Jockey Club aimed to make events more comfortable and accessible.

While many attending today took a more casual approach, many still dressed as Aintree racegoers have for years. Regardless of how they were dressed, people made the most of the day.

Photographers were on hand to capture people enjoying all that Aintree has to offer.

The sign up page for The Grand National 2024 is already available for those who want to get tickets for next year. Those who enter their details will be the first to hear about the tickets and can sign up here

READ NEXT

Grand National sweepstake 2023 printable: Free PDF to download of 40 runners for the big race

Grand National Thursday live 2023: First arrivals, racecard, tips, odds and weather for today at Aintree

Glamorous first arrivals on Grand National Thursday at Aintree

Grand National 2023: This is how much drinks cost at Aintree Racecourse

Grand National tips 2023: Top 10 runners and riders tipped for Aintree glory

Mum who started at Greatie Market now dresses city for Grand National

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.