A great start to Grand National day for AP McCoy as he rides Lac Fontana to victory in the opening race, the Pertemps Mersey Novices' Hurdle. Is that a good sign for later on? The 18-time champion jockey is aboard Double Seven in the big race.

Tom Fordyce
BBC Sport's chief sports writer at Aintree

Image source, PA

"Before the main card got under way, the most enjoyable sport on National Day is punter-watching and ear-wigging.

"Few events in the calendar combine top-notch sport, wedding outfits and fake tan as effectively as this afternoon.

"As ebullient owner Graham Regan - whose much-loved Niche Market pulled up injured in 2010 and then led in 2011 before finishing fifth - once told me, "Aintree is like a disco with horse-racing.'"

"And with the hours ticking by until the big race, the dance-floor is filling fast."

And now we're off in the first race of the day, the Pertemps Mersey Novices' Hurdle. We'll bring you the result of that shortly.

Ahead of the first race, which starts shortly, the huge crowd packed into Aintree have taken part in a minute's applause in memory of the 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster which happened 25 years ago on 15 April 1989.

Weights…what are they and how do they affect my horse? Well, unlike the Cheltenham Gold Cup where horses race off level weights, the Grand National is a handicap.

Horses are ranked according to their previous form, with the best given top weight. The handicapper's ultimate (although in practice unfeasible) aim is for the horses to pass the winning post in a dead heat.

The closest finish came in 2012 when Neptune Collonges denied Sunnyhillboy by the shortest possible distance - a nose. Tidal Bay, trained by Paul Nicholls, heads today's weights as the 13-year-old seeks to become the oldest winner for more than 90 years.

Jarleth Eaton:, external Gone for Trio D'Arlene because of the Henderson/Geraghty wins yesterday, and Balthazar King because of Cornelius Lysaght!

Image source, PA

King Kenny's arrived, and he's searching for a winner alongside rugby player James Simpson-Daniel. Maybe, with his Liverpool connections, he'll back 50-1 shot Walkon to do the business this afternoon? Or will he be persuaded to back Monbeg Dude by joint-owner Simpson Daniel? Dalglish's son-in-law is Welsh rugby player Nicky Robinson, who is also one of the co-owners of Monbeg Dude.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Aintree

Image source, BHA

It has been a cool, showery start to the day and the going on the Grand National course at Aintree is officially described as Good to Soft, Good in places.

Parts of the track were watered on Friday evening, with three to four millimetres of water put on around the 13th and 14th fences and other areas the grandstand side of the Melling Road.

Clerk of the course Andrew Tulloch said: "It was a dry night, though dampish with plenty of dew. We did a bit of selective watering basically to maintain good safe jumping ground around the whole course."

Over at Aintree, there's currently a parade of former champions - including Monty's Pass, Bindaree and Hedgehunter. Returning heroes.

BBC horse racing correspondent Cornelius Lysaght, external at Aintree: My 1-2-3-4 = Balthazar King, Long Run, Teaforthree, Across The Bay.

Teaforthree is proving to be a popular bet this morning and is the 12-1 favourite at the moment. Here are some of the others attracting attention in the market: 12-1 Teaforthree, 14-1 Double Seven, 16-1 Long Run, 18-1 Rocky Creek & The Package, 20-1 Balthazar King, Burton Port, Monbeg Dude, Bug Shu, 22-1 Tidal Bay.

Image source, Getty Images

Can Katie Walsh become the first female jockey to win the Grand National? She gets the chance after replacing the injured Mikey Fogarty on Vesper Bell, an outsider in the 40-strong field.

Walsh, 29, is the most successful female jockey in Grand National history having finished third on Seabass two years ago. She is the only woman jockey in the 167th edition of the National.

Fogarty was ruled out of Saturday's big race after fracturing his spine in a fall during the Topham Chase on Friday. Andrew Tinkler, Noel Fehily and Paul Carberry have all been passed fit to ride after a doctor's check.

Before we go any further, here's today's full racecard:

13:10 - Crabbie's Charity Race (Flat)

13:30 - Pertemps Network Mersey Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)

14:05 - Doom Bar Maghull Novices' Chase (Grade 1)

14:50 - Silver Cross Stayers' Hurdle (Registered Liverpool Hurdle) (Grade 1)

15:25 - Betfred TV Handicap Steeplechase (Listed)

16:15 - Crabbie's Grand National Steeplechase (Grade 3)

17:10 - Maxilead Metals Handicap Hurdle (conditionals and amateurs) (Class 2)

17.45 - Weatherbys Private Banking Champion Standard Open NH Flat (Grade 2)

BBC Radio 5 live

Struggling to get near a television this afternoon? Don't fret - BBC Radio 5 live will be bringing you live commentary from the big race. And, speaking as a man who once cheered Don't Push It over the winning line in the car park of a shopping centre, it's just as good as watching the race. In fact it's probably better in terms of excitement! Give it a go this afternoon.

Right then. Let's be having your tips and, more importantly, where do they come from? Has Mick down the pub told you Teaforthree can't lose? Did you get 125-1 shot Kruzhlinin in the office sweep? Maybe you walked past a phone box, heard the phone ringing and the voice on the other end cryptically told you to back Mr Moonshine? Or maybe not!

Whatever horse you're cheering on today, make sure you let us know via #bbcracing on Twitter,, external or 81111 on the old SMS.

Go on, share the wealth.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Aintree

"Red Rum, Aldaniti, Foinavon, Devon Loch, the void race, the bomb scare race - the Grand National is a sporting occasion that always delivers a story.

"The headlines will scream 'National Velvet' should late call-up Katie Walsh - third with Seabass two years ago - become the first female jockey to triumph, aboard Vesper Bell.

"Whatever happens, Aintree officials and jump racing fans hope for a good news story, with all runners and riders coming home safely as they did last year. There were two equine fatalities in each of the two previous runnings and a number of safety improvements were introduced afterwards.

"Showers throughout the morning have dampened the ground at the Merseyside track, which will make for a softer landing for any fallers."

Oh yes, it's what Saturdays in April were made for.

Thousands of people will be packed into the racecourse this afternoon, millions more will be watching worldwide and the UK will collectively stake around £250m on one race: the 4.15 at Aintree - perhaps the greatest steeplechase race in the world.

Image source, Getty Images

It's that one Saturday morning of the year when you overlook the football fixtures and head straight for the racing section of your morning newspaper. You struggle to say Shakalakaboomboom with a mouth full of cornflakes and, before you can say Triolo D'Alene, you've picked your fancied winner and headed straight for the local bookies.

Then you get on with the rest of your day, all the while making sure you're tuned in at 1615 GMT - be it in your front room, the pub or even through the window of a television shop. That's when the excitement really kicks in.

Welcome to Grand National Saturday, everyone.