Race One - Manifesto Novices Chase - 2 and a half miles - The newest addition to the National meeting. First run in 2009 to replace the amateur riders novice chase that had been run after the National. Run on the first day it was upgraded to Grade One status in 2012 and since 2015 it has opened the meeting. It normally attracts a small but select field. The most notable winner has been Menorah, victorious in 2012 who went on to gain legendary status at Sandowns jumps finale winning the Oaskey Chase an incredible four times in a row. Another notable winner was Protektoratin 2021 who went on to finish third in a Gold Cup and win the Ryanair Chase at the Festival in 2024.

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Race Two - Anniversary Four Year old Novices Hurdle - 2 miles - First run in 1976 this is the second most prestigious juvenile hurdle in the calender after the Triumph. Since 1990 four horses have won both races Detroit City (2006), future Champion Hurdle winner Katchit (2007), Zarkander (2011) and Pentland Hills (2019). Other notable winners include Champion Hurdlers, Hors La Loi III (1999) and Binoculor (2008), eleven times Grade One winner Apples Jade (2016) and two future National runners Le Duc (2003) and Walkon (2009). The race has been run as part of the first day since 1992 and in 2009 & 2013 it was the first race of the meeting.

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Race Three - The Aintree Bowl - 3miles, 1 furlong - see above

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Race Four - The Aintree Hurdle - 2 and a half miles - see below

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Race Five - Foxhunters Chase - 2miles five and a half fulongs - Prior to 1999 the race was run on the Friday.

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Race Six - Red Rum Handicap Chase - 2 miles - First run in 1976 and was formally known under a variety of sponsored guises and then as the Aintree Chase. Until 1992 it was the first race on Grand National day and until the introduction of the Melling Chase in 1991 often attracted the leading two mile chasers. In 2001 it was moved to the first day of the meeting, renamed after Aintrees favourite son and changed to become an ordinary handicap. As a result the race has lost much of its former status but as a Grade 3 event it always attracts a very competitve field.  

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Race Seven - The Nickel Coin Mares Open Standard National Hunt Flat Race - Two miles - First run in 2005 and upgraded to Grade 3 status in 2016 this has always closed proceedings on the first day. It hasn't yet produced a superstar amongst its winners, probably the best was Turbo Linn (2007) who never actually jumped a hurdle in public as, after winning five National Hunt Flat races on the bounce, she won three flat races including the Lancashire Oaks and a listed event at Newmarket before running unplaced in the 2008 Coronation Cup at Epsom.