ITV PRESENT THE GRAND NATIONAL FESTIVAL 2022

Francesca Cumani and Ed Chamberlin present coverage of the opening races on Grand National day ahead of the feature race later in the afternoon.

Before the National there are three excellent grade one contests, including the Liverpool Hurdle (3.35pm) which features some of the horses that fought out a thrilling Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival earlier this year.

Analysis from Sir AP McCoy, Mick Fitzgerald and Ruby Walsh, reporting from Alice Plunkett, Oli Bell, Matt Chapman and Luke Harvey, Social Stable news with Chris Hughes, betting news from Brian Gleeson and commentary from Richard Hoiles.

1pm - 2pm: Virtual Grand Nation 2022 Nick Luck and Alice Plunkett head to Aintree to see if a computer can forecast the outcome of the most unpredictable race in the UK. Commentary comes from Stewart Machin.

ITV Racing: The Grand National Festival 2.25pm - The Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle Race 3.00pm - The Maghull Novices’ Steeple Chase 3.35pm - The Liverpool Hurdle Race 4.15pm - The Betway Handicap Steeple Chase

5.15pm - The Randox Grand National Handicap Steeple Chase

Ed Chamberlin and Francesca Cumani are joined by Sir AP McCoy, Ruby Walsh and Mick Fitzgerald for coverage of the 2022 Randox Grand National live from Aintree.

Twelve months on from Rachael Blackmore's historic win aboard Minella Ti-mes in front of empty grandstands, this year the crowds are back on Merseyside for what promises to be another spectacular renewal which is due off at 5.15pm. After the race has been run, there's a chance to see how your horse fared with Oli Bell and Ruby Walsh in the re-run analysis.

Reporting from Alice Plunkett, Matt Chapman and Luke Harvey, all the betting news from Brian Gleeson and commentary from Richard Hoiles, Mark Johnson and Ian Bartlett, plus social stable news from Chris Hughes.

The Grand National Festival takes place on Saturday 9th April on ITV.