Grand National 2016: When will the runners and riders be confirmed?

Place your bets!

The start of the Grand National in 2015 (Getty)

The Grand National, one of the highlights of the sporting calender, takes place this weekend.

At 5.15pm on Saturday, Aintree racecourse will see 40 horses set out with 30 jumps ahead of them over the course of 4 miles 3½ furlongs.

It is one of the most betted on events of the year - but when will we know the 40 runners from which to pick from?

Many of the horses can be predicted with a degree of certainty, such as a return for last year's winner Many Clouds. However, the confirmed line-up will not be announced until Thursday at 10am.

It is at that time the last declaration takes place, at which point the 40 horses will be named along with four reserves.

At 10am on Friday any non-runners must be declared and be replaced by one of the four reserves.

Full racecard for the Grand National Meeting...

Thursday, April 7 (Grand Opening Day)

1.40: The Merseyrail Manifesto Novices' Chase (Grade 1)

2.15: The Anniversary 4YO Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1)

2.50: The Betfred Bowl (Grade 1)

3.25: The Doom Bar Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1)

4.05: The Crabbie's Foxhunters' Chase (Grade 2)

4.40: The Red Rum Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

5.15: The Goffs Nickel Coin Mares' Standard Open (Grade 2)

Friday, April 8 (Ladies Day)

1.40: The Alder Hey Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

2.15: The Top Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)

2.50: The Betfred Midway Novices' Chase (Grade 1)

3.25: The JLT Melling Chase (Grade 1)

4.05: The Crabbie's Topham Chase (Grade 3)

4.40: The Doom Bar Sefton Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)

5.15: The Goffs Nickel Coin Mares' Standard Open (Grade 2)

Saturday, April 9 (Grand National Day)

1.45: The Aintree Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

2.25: The EZ Trader Mersey Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)

3.00: The Doom Bar Maghull Novices' Chase (Grade 1)

3.40: The Liverpool Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1)

4.20: The Betfred Handicap Chase (Listed)

5.15: The Crabbie's Grand National (Grade 3) Full information at the foot of this article

6.10: The Pinsent Masons Handicap Hurdle (Class 2)

The latest betting odds can be found at BetVictor.