The Grand National is back and people have returned to Aintree in their droves.
The festival kicked off with Opening Day and gates opened at 11am, with the first race starting at 1.45pm. Plenty of keen visitors were seen making their way through the gates early in the day.
Today's first day of racing began with the Racehorse Lotto Manifesto Novices’ Steeple Chase and ended with the Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat.
READ MORE: Full list of Grand National runners and riders 2023 pinstickers' guide
The big change for racegoers this year was announced back in February, when The Jockey Club said dress codes would no longer be in place at any of its 15 racecourses, including Aintree. The removal of dress codes came as The Jockey Club aimed to make events more comfortable and accessible.
While many attending today took a more casual approach, many still dressed as Aintree racegoers have for years. Regardless of how they were dressed, people made the most of the day.
Photographers were on hand to capture people enjoying all that Aintree has to offer.
32 pictures show people having a ball at Grand National opening day
The sign up page for The Grand National 2024 is already available for those who want to get tickets for next year. Those who enter their details will be the first to hear about the tickets and can sign up here
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