Grand National Betting: The Ultimate Guide
The National Hunt race that everyone in the nation looks forward to year on year, is played out at the Aintree Racecourse in Merseyside. This Grand National betting guide will provide you with the ultimate look at the historic race. We will delve into betting offers, promotions, odds, and other things related to choosing the best bookies. What’s more, we will also look at stats, facts, and the history of the race, in order to give you the best insight possible.
How we choose the bookies
Win, Each-Way, Show Bet
Tiger Roll, One For Arthur, & others
Red Rum, Manifesto
Facts, stories and betting
Your questions answered
The following sections are rammed to the rafters with information, you can gallop on through to your preferred section by clicking on the menu above, or you can canter along at a slow pace and read all the information below. We’d recommend doing the latter for you to have the best understanding of the race, and to be able to bet with confidence.
Betting on the Grand National: The Best Operators
Often times it is hard to choose the best sites for betting on the Grand National. That’s why we have endeavoured to do the work for you. Below you will find our listing of the top 5 sites to place a punt. How did we reach this conclusion, you may ask? Well, carry on reading and you will find our list of stringent criteria used in the process.
Bookmaker | Bonus Offer | Features | Rating | Secure Link | T&C’s |
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William Hill | Up to £30 | 23+, 93.68% | 5/5 Score | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! New online customers only, min £10/€10 stake, win only, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 3 X £10/€10, 30 day expiry, free bet/payment method/player/country restrictions apply. |
Grosvenor | Up to x2 Odds | 18+, 92.54% | 4.5/5 Score | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! Exclusive to new members. Offer applies to Sport bets only. Maximum total stake is £10. Each way bets are a maximum of £5 each way (£10 total stake). Valid for 60 days after registration. 18+ |
Ladbrokes | Up to £20 | 22+, 91.86% | 4.5/5 Score | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! 18+ New UK+IRE customers. Paypal and certain deposit types and bet types excluded. Min €5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4 x €5 free bets. Free bets valid for 4 days on sports, stake not returned, restrictions apply. T&Cs apply. |
Betway | Up to £10 | 19+, 90.99% | 4.5/5 Score | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! *New customers only. Min Deposit: £10. First deposit matched up to £10. 1 x wagering at odds of 1.75+ to unlock Free Bet. Debit Card & PayPal deposits only. This offer is valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. |
888sport | Up to £30 | 18+, 91.02% | 4/5 Score | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs Apply! Under the terms of this Promotion, eligible members will receive £30 in free bets at the Site. In order to receive the welcome offer, members must first place a qualifying bet. A qualifying bet is a ‘real money’ stake of at least £10 with odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater. Bets that are ‘Cashed Out’ do not qualify. First qualifying bet must be placed within 30 days of registration. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ |
How we Chose the Best Bookmakers for the Grand National
There are a number of factors that go into determining the top Grand National betting sites. In the box below you will find the top four factors our experts look out for when logging on to place a bet. If they fare well here, then you will be sure they rank highly with us.

- 1. A high level of payouts and therefore great profit potential.
- 2. Fantastic promotions that are solely dedicated to the Grand National.
- 3. The schedule of the streaming and race coverage.
- 4. Number of pre-race markets and betting options on the platform.
As you see, things like payouts, promotions, streaming services and types of markets available all are listed. Of course, not every site with do well in each category, even so they remain important. Carry on reading to find out why they are.
The Importance of Payouts
One of the first things we assess when looking at Grand National bookmakers is the payout on offer. This is important as you don’t want to be left with lower winnings than you expect. In essence, the higher payout percentage, the more you win. You can see how we calculated these levels on our home page, and you’ll see it’s an intricate equation. We did the maths for you, and you’ll see the results below. You’ll notice there isn’t much variation, and these are the expected levels from all the top bookies.
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- William Hill
- Grosvenor
- Ladbrokes
- Betway
- 888sport
- ..
- .....
- Payout (%)
Best Grand National Betting Offers
Another thing we look at are specific Grand National betting offers. Of course, you will find many welcome bonuses, but we are talking about promotions related to the race. These won’t be on offer year-round, instead you are likely to find them in the weeks and months leading up to the big day. Many times you’ll see things like enhanced odds, or each-way being paid up to six places. The best operators with have a plethora of offers for you to choose from.
Live Streaming
When talking about horse racing, live betting is not generally available. This is due rules and regulations regarding fixing. However, most bookies do offer some live streaming, and this is often times the forte of the sport. It is great to watch the horses run round the track and you cheer them on as they cross the line for a big win. The very best sites will ultimately have streams and commentary broadcast for the Grand National, so be careful to make sure the site you choose does show it!
Number of Markets Available
If you are looking at betting on the horses there are numerous markets and bet types available. From the simple to the exotic. In the following paragraphs we will be going into detail on some of these, for more information our dedicated horse racing page will point you in the right direction.
The Type of Grand National Markets
When it comes to Grand National betting, many punters are first-timers or those who only play once a year. That’s why there is a proliferation of simple or so-called ‘straight’ bets. These are easy to understand and perfect for the average fan. Other ‘exotic’ bets are also part of an experience punter’s repertoire and we’ll be discussing them further down.
Straight Bets
Straight bets are the easiest type of wager that you can play. They are often suited to beginners or those casual fans that only bet once a year. They often require very little skill, and you have less liability. This means, for many it is the best way to have a punt, whilst enjoying the experience of the Grand National.
The Win Bet
This bet is exactly what is says. You bet on a horse to win, if it does you win too. In other words, you choose from the starting list of horses your predicted winner. You can base this prediction on form, the ground it’s running on, or simply from the name you like! It truly is a simple wager and is one of the most popular.
The Place Bet
Another easy bet to get into is the place bet. Here you are saying that your selected horse will finish in either first or second position. This bet is a good one for one of the favourite’s and gives you a bit of leeway if they don’t ultimately win outright. Obviously, the payout you receive here will be lower than the aforementioned win bet.
The Each-Way Bet
When it comes to horse racing, this is the most popular bet for punters. It’s a bet made up of the two above. Basically, you bet on a horse to win, and to place. You see a return if a horse wins or places. The places can vary from bookie to bookie, but usually, they are from position 1,2,3,4. On some occasion, bookies even offer to place 6! Your liability is doubled, as you are essentially making two bets, but it insurance of the places is what makes it an attractive type of bet for many punters.
Exotic Bets on the Grand National
The other type of wager that many punters use when betting on the Grand National are the so called ‘exotic bets’. These are generally used by those who know a lot about horse racing and betting in general. They require a clear strategy and can be rewarding with huge profits, but be aware, they can also require a big liability.
The Tricast Bet
In this bet you have to select which horses will finish in position first, second, and third. You must predict the exact order, so it is not an easy bet to win, however, as you would expect the rewards are very handsome. It also requires knowledge on the field and which horses are expected to perform well. It has become one of the staples of horse racing betting and every punter loves to have a go on this type of bet. It is very easy to place and after a few tries, you will be better at it.
The Forecast Bet
This is the simplest of the exotic bets, as all you need to do is predict the top two horses. The ones that will finish in first and second position in the exact order. You can win a decent amount here and doesn’t require as much luck as the tricast bet. Obviously, you still need a fair amount of luck for them both come in though. It is a great introduction to the exotic wagers and allows you to find your way around this type of gambling.
Superfecta Bet
This is the bet that will win you the most money, yet it is notoriously difficult to win. It is an extension of the forecast, and the tricast, as you have to choose the top four horses in correct order. First, second, third, and fourth. The combined odds will be massive, and so will the payout. However, it is one that hardly ever comes in. This is a bet that you don’t expect to get right very often, but when you do, it will be amazing!
All you Need to Know about the Grand National
Grand National Info | |
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Nome: | The Grand National |
Headquarters: | Aintree |
Year of foundation: | 1839 |
Sponsor: | Randox Health |
Website: | Grand National |
Race Type: | Steeplechase |
Surface: | Turf |
Prize Money: | £1,000,000 |
The Grand National is a historic event that everyone in the UK knows about. It is a National Hunt race held annually at the Aintree Racecourse, not far from Liverpool. It was first held in 1839 and has developed into one of the most famous horse races in the world. With a burgeoning prize fund of £1 million, it attracts all the best runners from the UK, Ireland, and even some international horses. The amazing thing about the National is that it has developed to become part of British culture and many bet on the race even if they aren’t regular gamblers.
The race distance is about 4 miles and 2 1/2 furlongs, with the horses having to jump 30 fences over two laps, meaning only the strongest stayers can win. It has always been shown on free television in the UK, being covered by the BBC, Channel 4, and ITV over different time periods. The race has also had many different sponsors throughout its history, with it currently being Randox Health. The crowds flock to fill the stands and often it is a raucous occasion. It is the premier event of the calendar and will remain that way.
The race always takes place on the first Saturday in April and has is often the most anticipated race of the year. Unlike other horse races, it is highly anticipated and gathers interest from all corners of the globe. Horses can achieve infamy, and as a result, every trainer wants to win here. It’s a notoriously difficult race, and accidents happen. So sometimes an upset can occur.
All the Info on the Horses of the Grand National
Now we come to the section you’ve all be waiting for. We will be providing you with lots of interesting information about horses, trainers, and jockeys from both past and present. This will then allow you to become informed on the race and move forward with a better understanding as a whole.
The Past 5 Placed Winners
The most famous champion of previous years is Tiger Roll, who won two in a row from 2018 and 2019. As you see from the list below, this is a rare occurrence! So rare the last time it happened was the 1970’s and online betting sites didn’t even exist!
Placed finisher for Grand National in the past 5 years | |||
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Year | 1st (Horse, Trainer) | 2nd (Horse, Trainer) | 3rd (Horse, Trainer) |
2019 | Tiger Roll, Gordon Elliott | Magic of Light, Jessica Harrington | Rathvinden, Willie Mullins |
2018 | Tiger Roll, Gordon Elliott | Pleasant Company, Willie Mullins | Bless The Wings, Gordon Elliott |
2017 | One For Arthur, Lucinda Russell | Cause of Causes, Gordon Elliott | Saint Are, Tom George |
2016 | Rule The World, Mouse Morris | The Last Samuri, Philip Hobbs | Vics Canvas, Dermot McLoughlin |
2015 | Many Clouds, Oliver Sherwood | Saint Are, Tom George | Monbeg Dude, Michael Scudamore |
Who are the Best Trainers?
Many legendary horses come with top trainers. Some have won multiple wins, with George Dockeray, Fred Rimell, and Ginger McCain all having four winners. In recent years Gordon Elliott has become the main man. It often pays to pay attention to who trained a horse, or from which stable they came from as this could directly correlate with who will win. It wouldn’t surprise us if Elliott produces another winner in the coming years.
The Best Horses of Grand National
So that leads us to the most important question, who are the best horses? Well the top horse is undoubtedly Tiger Roll. His performance under pressure has been phenomenal. Check out the boxes below to find the other contenders and potential usurpers to his throne.
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Tiger Roll
The first horse since 1974 to win back-to-back Grand National’s, Tiger Roll is the ultimate thoroughbred and the top horse at the race.
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One For Athur
This Irish thoroughbred won the Grand National in 2017, becoming the second only Scottish trained horse to do so. He finished 6th in 2019.
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Magic of Light
This horse was a massive outsider coming into 2019, and was offered as far out as 125/1. She ultimately finished in second, and made good for those who place an each-way bet.
Legends of the Past
The Grand National is littered with legendary names and horses. Perhaps the most famous is Red Rum, who dominated the race in the 1970’s. Winning in 1973, 1974, and in 1977. Other legends include Manifest who ran an incredible eight races. Others such as jockey Michael Scudamore rode a fantastic 16 consecutive races between 1951-66, winning once. There are many stories and legends and that is the most endearing thing about the race.
The Horses with the most Wins
Nowadays, with big fields and better trained horses it is difficult for repeat winners to rear their head. Nevertheless, there have been some stand out names. In the table below we list all the horses that have won the most races. Red Rum stands alone atop of the list, but Tiger Roll is trying his best to catch him.
Horses that have won the most Grand National Titles | |||||
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Horse | Number of Races | Number Won | Owner | Years Active | |
Red Rum | 5 | 3 | Noel Le Mare | 1973 – 1978 | |
Manifesto | 8 | 2 | Harry Dyas | 1892 – 1904 | |
Tiger Roll | 2 | 2 | Gigginstown House | 2014 – present | |
Abd-El-Kader | 5 | 2 | Joseph Osborne | 1850 – 1855 | |
The Colonel | ? | 2 | John Weyman | 1869 – 1875 | |
Reynoldstown | 2 | 2 | Noel Furlong | 1935 – 1937 |
Grand National Records
The Grand National is hundreds of years old, and with it comes many records. Below you will find all of the best records for the race. You may be surprised at who the quickest was! So what are you waiting for? Have a look now!
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Most Wins by a Horse at the Grand National
Perhaps the most famous horse of all time, Red Rum won three Nationals, in 1973, 1974, and 1977, he also finished second in 1975, and 1976.
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The Quickest Horse
The fastest winning time was posted by Mr Frisk in 1990, at 8:47.80. Of course, this time often depends on conditions and the strength of the field.
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Most Wins by a Jockey
George Stevens was the most successful jockey ever, winning a massive 5 times between 1856 – 1870. He later died in 1871 whilst falling, when riding his horse home.
History of the Grand National and Betting
The history of the Grand National and its relationship with betting is intertwined. Starting in 1839 the race has developed to become a mainstay of British culture. Every year punters throw millions upon millions of pounds onto the race. In 1993 the race was cancelled after two false starts and chaos that ensued. It was the darkest day in the sports history and resulted in millions of void bets. Nevertheless, this did not stop it from remaining at the heart of the UK, with many people only betting once a year, and on this race. All in all around £250 million gets spent by punters on the big race every year. A staggering amount.
Discover the best bookies for the Grand National
Grand National and Bookmakers Sponsorship
Due to its proximity with gambling there have been many sponsorships of Grand National betting sites for the race. Although never a main sponsor, Betway, for example are the official betting partner for the race. Such deals are often in place, and when you are watching on television you will be sure to see many different operators featured in many different ways. Whether it is advertising boarding, to badges on coats and so on.
Which Bookies Should You Avoid?
With such a famous race, comes the opportunity for many to offer you the chance to bet on it. It’s integral that you avoid certain bookies. On our site we only feature those that are fully regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. If you find an operator that is not so, we’d recommend keeping well away from them. Check out our best betting sites list for all the top trusted operators. There’s no point in playing on a site and winning if you never see the money! That’s why we say stick with us and your Grand National betting needs will be sufficed.
Facts and Anecdotes about Betting on the Grand National
Now we are coming to the end of our review about betting on the Grand National, we thought we’d provide you with some fun facts about big wins, and money spend on the race. This light-hearted conclusion can provide you with inspiration in the future! Check the boxes below.
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The average odds
The average odds for Grand National winners throughout the years is a mammoth 20/1. That represents a massive potential win for punters.
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Big money spent in 2019
Bookies estimated around £250 million was spent by punters betting on the Grand National in 2019, by no means a small amount!
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Massive number of punters
One of the biggest betting events of the year attracts around 12.9 million people to place a bet on the race. It’s pretty much unique in that sense.

Tiger Roll is an amazing horse, and much better this year than last year. He is the most gorgeous little horse and a joy to watch over these fences.
FAQ
Now we have come to the end of our review, we hope to have answered all your questions. If not, please read our FAQ below or feel free to send us an email. at info@bestbettingsites.com.
Can I live stream horse racing events?
Yes. It depends on the operator, of course. However, horse racing events are some of the best covered streaming options available at online operators.
Where can I find Grand National bonuses?
We'd advise waiting until the run-up to the event, where you will then be sure to find dedicated offers relating to the race. These often appear on the homepage of the operator, or in the horse racing section.