The Grand National Festival 2022 is almost here and as thousands are set to descend on Aintree racecourse, we have some words of wisdom.
People from Liverpool and beyond will take over the world-famous course this week, planning the perfect day at the races as the three-day festival returns. Those who have attended before will know there are just some things you only know if you’ve spent the day at Aintree races during the Grand National Festival. From tips and tricks to the sights you'll see - when you know, you know.
READ MORE: What date and time is the race and what TV channel is it on?
1. Your feet will feel like you’ve been walking on hot coals by the end of the day, no matter how comfy your shoes were first thing
2. Whatever you wear, you’ll always see someone whose outfit you prefer and wish you’d done better
3. Beginners will have a degree level understanding of betting odds by the end of the day, then promptly forget it all for the next 12 months
4. Your fascinator can never be too big
5. Or your heels too high
6. There’ll always be one trying to sneak handbag vodka in
7. The train ride to and from Aintree racecourse is almost as fun as the racing itself - with a guaranteed sing-a-long on board
8. ALWAYS ACCEPT A PAIR OF FLIPFLOPS - you will need them
9. No matter what the weather, a pair of sunglasses is always a good idea
10. As is an umbrella
11. Champagne sippers are life savers... and lipstick savers
12. The silly suits that stag parties wear are almost as great as the lovely ladies' dresses
13. The Queens Pub is a great after party destination
14. Picking horses by their colour and name is a given
15. There’s nothing like the buzz when racegoers hear ‘AND THEY’RE OFF’
16. Standing at the finish line is where you'll get the best atmosphere
17. In the ladies', the queues for the mirror are longer than the queues for the toilet
18. Mini hairspray, brushes and clips are classed as essentials
19. But remember, perfume bottles are banned
20. Trying to spot a celebrity is all part of the fun
21. You’ll learn a thing or two about the history of Aintree
22. You’ll also learn about the course itself - there are 16 jumps altogether
23. And by the end you'll know the Grand National Steeplechase is four miles and a two and a half furlongs
24. If you hang around at the end of the day on Saturday you'll discover some bars cut their prices
25. The prosecco and champagne bags are the accessory you never knew you needed - or wanted
26. You’ll find the most glamorous ladies in the Ladies Day Style Award queue - and they all look stunning
27. The Red Rum Garden and Aintree Pavilion go off after the racing has finished.
28. It’s a nightmare trying to find your group if you get separated
29. You’ll be surprised how hard it is to find a space to watch Saturday’s main race if you’re in the Tatterstalls
30. You may even forget to even look at the course at all - there's so much happening on the other side
31. You’ll forget to eat anything then suddenly realise you’re starving - and a bit tipsy - after the last race
32. There’s nothing quite like the buzz of cheering on your horse as you realise it just might win
33. If you’re wearing heels, you need to take it slow - the ground can be really hard to walk on
34. You'll be grateful for public transport, despite the queues, as your taxi won’t be able to park near the racecourse
35. The Tote now matches or exceeds the starting price offered by the bookies
36. The sneaky entrance by Aintree Tandori saves you so much time when it comes to getting in
37. You don’t need to be a betting person to enjoy your day out
38. You’re guaranteed to see a footballer, or an old pro
39. You’ll realise that Liverpool really is the friendliest and funniest place on earth as you get chatting to everyone you meet
40. Chances are you’ll spend more than you win
41. There's a minimum spend at the bookies stalls (some are £5 or some are £2 - but it's worth checking before you start spending)
42. Buying bottles will save you time queuing at the bar
43. And, you’ll start accepting anything that the bar with the smallest queue serves
44. You always make new friends in the toilets
45. And you’ll become best friends with the Racecourse staff too
46. KFC afterwards is always a good idea - or McDonald’s if you don’t mind walking a bit further
47. You’ll know not to get stuck behind the barriers when they put them up for the horses to walk through
48. Cash machines are few and far between
49. There’s always one that cheers for the wrong horse, or thinks they’ve won when they haven’t
50. But, you’ll realise just how much fun you can have at Aintree’s Grand National Festival
