Opening day at the Grand National Festival

Opening Day at the Grand National is a new-look day for the Thursday of the festival.

Transcript

00:00 And they're off. The Randox Grand National Festival has officially begun.

00:06 With opening day on Thursday, this is a new look for 2024, with a more relaxed

00:12 feel than Ladies Day and National Day itself on Saturday.

00:16 There's nowhere better than Aintree. Aintree is the best place ever.

00:21 We've been to other race courses, but nowhere beats Aintree.

00:25 The atmosphere, the people.

00:27 We come on every Thursday with the girls.

00:30 Nice time to catch up, chill and put all the stresses away.

00:35 We just love the experience.

00:37 We try and come every year because it's here, it's on our doorstep, and why not?

00:41 Get the training, get yourself here, slammed up, slammed down, whatever way you want to do it.

00:47 And that's why we just love it because it's great.

00:49 And we meet people like you, Emily.

00:53 Aintree's got a special place in my heart. So I got married in Aintree in 2000 in the Queen Mother stand.

01:00 Then I passed my driving test in Aintree.

01:03 There's a mix of equestrian lovers and those who want to have a good time and soak up the atmosphere.

01:08 With a backdrop of racing alongside live music and entertainment, there's plenty to keep busy with.

01:14 And we're also celebrating both our birthdays. Mother and daughter, day between.

01:20 This is a birthday celebration, so that's why we're here.

01:23 The organisation is spot on. Mersey Vale and then obviously the National Games.

01:28 I'm here today because the racing's good, by the way.

01:32 The racing's good today. It's a proper race day as well. That's in my heart.

01:37 I mean, for us, being from Merseyside, it's so fantastic to be here with our family and friends.

01:43 We always come on the Thursday and we've been coming for many, many years now.

01:47 And it's just wonderful. It's a great start to the National. I think the racing is fantastic.

01:53 And you know what? I picked a few horses out there for my dad, which I'd like to think will come in for us.