On Ladies Day at Aintree, the line between runway and racetrack disappears.
The Grand National Friday schedule for 2026 blends high-stakes jumps racing with the colour and thrill of Ladies Day fashion - delivering a spectacle that’s part championship sport, part social phenomenon.
This guide is for anyone wondering what races are on Ladies Day at the Grand National meeting, what to watch, and what time the big races unfold, all while keeping entertainment and safer gambling at the heart.
Friday's Aintree Card: Race Times
- 1:45pm – William Hill Handicap Hurdle
- 2.20pm – Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices’ Chase
- 2:55pm – TrustATrader Top Novices’ Hurdle
- 3:30pm – Melling Steeple Chase (Feature Race)
- 4:00pm – Randox Supporting Prostate Cancer UK Topham Handicap Chase
- 4:40pm – Oddschecker Sefton Novices’ Hurdle
- 5:15pm – Hallgarten & Novum Wines Handicap Hurdle
What Happens on Ladies Day at Aintree?
Ladies Day is more than the Aintree Friday card; it’s a living, breathing tradition. Expect a crowd buzzing with anticipation as racing fans and fashionistas blend into one.
From the moment gates open at 10:30 am, every corner of Aintree comes alive, offering Grade 1 and Premier Handicap action alongside a pageant of designer hats and style awards. Whether you’re drawn by the horses or the glamour, it’s a sports day like no other.
The Feature Race on Ladies Day
While each contest adds its own drama, the Topham Chase is the one that draws collective breath, with the race taking place over the famous Grand National fences.=.
As the feature race on Ladies Day at Aintree, recent years have seen fields deep in quality and storylines. The market often highlights the best chasers, but there’s always room for a surprise in a big handicap at Aintree.
Ladies Day Fashion: Style Meets Spectacle
What is the dress code for Ladies Day? There’s no official requirement, but ‘go bold or go home’ has long been the unofficial motto.
Expect to see vibrant dresses, tailored suits, extravagant millinery, and shoes that are as adventurous as the jumpers on the course. Style awards keep the stakes high off the track, and the crowd’s looks are as hotly debated as any tipster’s nap.
Top Tips To Enjoy Ladies Day At The Grand National Meeting
The best advice for a successful Grand National Festival Friday? Treat the day as a celebration, not a challenge.
Set a budget in advance and stick to it, make the most of session reminders, and remember that every bet is part of the entertainment, not a plan.
Use official racecards to follow the action, but don’t let the search for winners overshadow the sheer experience of the day. If you’re new to betting, check out our guide to responsible play and racecard basics.
How To Watch
With seven races on Friday at Aintree 2026, every half-hour brings a new chapter and coverage will be brought to terrestrial television, with ITV Racing broadcasting all three days of this year's meeting.
Plan your schedule around the Melling Chase, but don’t miss the build-up - novice races, competitive handicaps, and the Topham over the National fences keep the tension simmering all afternoon.
More News & Tips On The Aintree Grand National Festival:
- Grand National Prize Money Breakdown For 2026
- Race Schedule and Race Times for the 2026 Grand National Festival
- How to bet each way on the Grand National
- The biggest priced winners of the Grand National
- The most successful jockeys in Grand National history
- The most successful trainers in Grand National history
- How to enjoy Day 1 of the Aintree Grand National meeting
- How to enjoy Day 3 of the Aintree Grand National meeting
Safer Gambling: Enjoy the Grand National Festival as entertainment. Set limits, take breaks, and walk away if it stops being fun. For advice and support visit www.begambleaware.org or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.
