The Grand National
The Grand National is without a doubt the most famous jumps race in the world, boasting an iconic history to match and we love it! Taking place at the start of April each year, just a few weeks after the Cheltenham Festival, the Grand National captures a huge audience, with nothing better than those having a flutter on the big race. Record levels of bets are taken each year as punters flock to place their predictions, hoping to make a few quid from the bookies. And, this year is no different.
The Grand National takes place on Saturday, April 5th, at Aintree Racecourse. It marks the 180th running of the event, with 40 runners competing for a place in history, joining racing legends such as Red Rum and Tiger Roll.
Each year, more than 100 horses are entered, but after a series of qualification stages and withdrawals, only the top 40 horses (based on official ratings) make it to the final race at Aintree.
Betting on the Grand National
Nowadays, you can place your bets on your mobile within minutes, with over 50 bookmakers offering Grand National odds. The more nostalgic punter will be at their local betting shop on the morning of the race, jotting down their bets—often placing wagers for family and friends. Either way, it’s truly one of the most exciting betting events in the sporting calendar.
Grand National Betting Tips
If you’re looking for some pointers for this year's Grand National, you’re certainly in the right place! Not only do we have resident tipsters Barry Hill, John O’Keefe and Stephen Welch, but we also collate all the leading horse racing tips from the industry, providing you with a full outlook on the big race. Whether it’s former race winner Barry Geraghty tipping on William Hill or racing showman Matt Chapman sharing his tips on the Paddy Power Blog, you can access them right here on betting.bet.
Grand National Free Bets
With over 50 bookies to choose from, you have many options for placing bets while benefiting from a free bet. Ironically, bigger bookies often withdraw their free bet offers due to the sheer volume of punters claiming them. Whatever you decide, check out our free bets page for the most up-to-date list of free bets from UK bookmakers and sportsbooks.
Best Traditional Bookmakers for Grand National Betting
- William Hill – One of the most established bookmakers in horse racing, offering competitive odds, a wide range of markets, and Best Odds Guaranteed on selections where the starting price (SP) is better than the price taken.
- Ladbrokes – A strong presence in both retail and online betting, covering UK, Irish, and international races. They frequently offer enhanced places, price boosts, and money-back specials.
- Coral – Known for its user-friendly platform and extensive race coverage, featuring daily racing offers like extra places, faller insurance, and Best Odds Guaranteed.
- Betfred – Popular among horse racing bettors for innovative promotions like Double Delight and Hat-Trick Heaven on certain markets, alongside competitive each-way terms.
- BoyleSports – Ireland’s largest independent bookmaker, offering competitive odds, extra place specials, and enhanced odds for major racing festivals.
Best Online Bookmakers for Grand National Betting
- BetGoodwin – As one of the newer horse racing betting sites gaining traction with competitive odds and unique promotions such as refunds on fallers and second-place finishes.
- Fitzdares – A premium bookmaker known for high-end, tailored betting experiences, catering to VIP clients with concierge-style customer service.
- AK Bets – An independent bookmaker offering strong horse racing markets and fair pricing, competing with bigger names despite being a smaller operator.
- NAGS Bet – A racing-focused bookmaker dedicated to horse racing fans, providing competitive odds and regular promotions.
- QuinnBet – A modern, customer-friendly bookmaker with daily racing promotions, including extra places, Best Odds Guaranteed, and cashback deals.
Big Odds & Big Winners
With 8-10 horses competing in most National Hunt races, the Grand National stands out with 40 runners, making it much harder to pick winners. However, the potential rewards are significantly greater, with up to a dozen horses starting at 66/1 or more.
Each-Way Betting on The Grand National
The number of places paid for each-way bets depends on the bookmaker and the number of runners:
Standard Place Terms (if 40 runners start):
- 1st place – Win & place payout
- 2nd place – Place payout
- 3rd place – Place payout
- 4th place – Place payout
Enhanced Places (with some bookmakers):
- Many bookies offer 5 or 6 places for each-way bets.
- Some may even offer 7 or 8 places as special promotions.
Place Betting Guide
We’ve done the hard work for you and created a dedicated ‘Places Paid’ guide for the 2025 Grand National. Be aware that while some major bookies pay out more places, the odds may be reduced. Sometimes, a smaller bookmakeroffering standard place payouts (top 4 places) may have better odds, which can be more beneficial if you believe your horse has a strong chance of winning or placing.
Grand National Betting Trends
Favourites vs. Each-Way Success
The Grand National is unpredictable. Unlike shorter races, where favourites often dominate, the long distance, large field, and tough fences make it difficult to pick a clear winner.
Performance of Favourites
Since 2000, only four outright favourites have won:
- Comply or Die (2008) – 7/1 favourite
- Don’t Push It (2010) – 10/1 joint-favourite
- Many Clouds (2015) – 25/1 (not the shortest-priced favourite but well-backed)
- Tiger Roll (2019) – 4/1 favourite (shortest-priced winner since 1919)
Each-Way Betting & Placings
Each-way betting is extremely popular for the Grand National because:
- Many bookmakers offer enhanced place terms (5, 6, or even 7 places).
- Horses priced 20/1 or higher regularly finish in the places.
- Longshots have frequently placed, including:Magic of Light (2019) – 2nd at 66/1Saint Are (2017) – 3rd at 25/1Mon Mome (2009) – Winner at 100/1
- Magic of Light (2019) – 2nd at 66/1
- Saint Are (2017) – 3rd at 25/1
- Mon Mome (2009) – Winner at 100/1
Conclusion: Best Betting Approach
- Backing the outright favourite is risky due to the race's unpredictability.
- Each-way betting is often the most effective strategy.
- Horses priced between 10/1 and 40/1 historically offer strong value.
- Stamina horses with Aintree experience tend to place well.
The Grand National Course 2025 – Aintree
The Grand National course at Aintree Racecourse is one of the most challenging in the world. Covering 4 miles, 2½ furlongs (about 6.9 km) with 30 fences across two circuits, it tests stamina, jumping ability, and resilience.
Key Course Features
- Becher’s Brook (Fence 6 & 22) – Features a steep landing drop that often catches horses off guard.
- The Chair (Fence 15) – The tallest fence (5ft 2in) with a wide ditch before takeoff.
- Valentine’s Brook (Fence 9 & 25) – A tricky fence requiring precision jumping.
- Canal Turn (Fence 8 & 24) – A sharp 90-degree turn immediately after the jump.
Grand National Race Challenges
- Large Field Size – Up to 40 runners, increasing congestion and falls.
- Varying Ground Conditions – The going (track surface) can range from good to heavy, affecting race outcomes.
- Tactical Riding – Jockeys must balance pace and positioning for maximum endurance.
The Grand National remains one of the most thrilling and unpredictable races in horse racing, offering punters the chance to win big—or lose it all at the first fence!