Dresses, suits and sunshine lit up Aintree as thousands of racegoers arrived to take in the first day of the famous Grand National festival. More than 150,000 people are due to attend the three-day event,

A horse has died on the first day of the Grand National Festival at Aintree on Thursday. Willy De Houelle, which was ridden by Rachael Blackmore, owned by Rich Ricci and trained by Willie Mullins, suffered a fatal injury after falling early in the Juvenile Hurdle, a two-mile-one-furlong event.

When the gates open at 11am, the temperature will be around 14°C. By the time the first race begins, temperatures will rise to between 17°C and 18°C. The final race is scheduled for 5.15pm, and temperatures at that time will be around 19°C.