Grand National Betting Odds & Tips
First contested back in 1839, it’s fair to say that the Grand National is a horse race with a whole lot of history. Today, with a total prize fund of £1m on the line, it’s also fair to say that the Grand National is a race that many jockeys want to win.
It can be confusing for punters unfamiliar with the race, with a large field of quality stayers and steeplechasers in the running for one of British racing’s richest prizes. However, in this Grand National betting guide, we’ll reveal some handy hints and tips that might help you when placing your wagers on the Aintree Racecourse showpiece.
We’ll also outline how you can bet on the race, where to find the best Grand National odds, and all the other useful insights that may help you to identify the winner of the four-mile race. We’ll also let you know where you can read our Grand National betting tips.
About the 2024 Grand National
Where: Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool
When: Saturday, April 13th 2024, 16:00 BST
TV Coverage: ITV, Racing TV
Grand National 2024 Runners
A list of Grand National runners 2024 has to offer can be found in our Grand National betting section, although this is subject to change right up until the race begins.
A long history of Grand National bets
The Grand National’s long and storied heritage is just one of the reasons why it is one of the most famous horse races in the world. It is also famous because of the huge field of up to 34 runners – which used to be as many as 40 until a rule change in 2023 – and fences that are so challenging that many have even been given nicknames.
So, who will conquer the infamous Becher’s Brook? Who will successfully vault The Chair? These are just some of the questions that punters could ask themselves when placing their Grand National bets. However, with extensive each-way place terms available (more on those shortly), sometimes even backing a horse that finishes second, third or even fourth in the National can prove successful.
Where to find Grand National betting tips
The final field of runners in the Grand National isn’t decided until around 48 hours before the start, but this is not to say that you can’t read Grand National betting tips in advance of race day (which is typically in April).
Throughout the National Hunt season, there are ‘warm-up’ races that indicate the horses are jumping well and look primed to travel the mammoth four-mile, two-and-a-half-furlong distance successfully – for anyone planning their Grand National bets; these races can be vital.
There are the likes of the Winter Festival at Kempton Park, the Welsh and Scottish Grand Nationals, and races such as the Becher Chase and the Grand Sefton Chase – the latter two are run on the Grand National course at Aintree. The Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival is also considered a crucial tune-up race.
If you’re seeking betting tips for the Grand National, it’s worth waiting until closer to race day, as the experts will have a better picture of the going and the horses that have thrived in the prep races mentioned above.
How to bet on the Grand National online
In a general sense, there are two ways to bet on the Grand National online: ante-post and after the declarations.
You can place Grand National bets at any time during the year, thanks to the ante-post betting market at LeoVegas. If you wager on a horse months in advance of the race, you take the risk that your selection might not run – however, you will likely get better odds via the ante-post market than you would after declarations, so it’s very much a case of each to their own.
As with all horse racing betting markets, you can wager on the Grand National in a way that suits you. You could back the favourite – that is, the shortest-priced horse expected to have the best chance of winning the race or opt for a longer-odds fancy; you can bet on them to win only or each way, with a return paid out if your pick finishes in the places.
If you wait for the declarations process in April, you will know that each of the horses has been confirmed to run in the Grand National (unless they are declared a non-runner).
Grand National betting guide: a glossary
If you are new to sports betting, it’s possible that you will encounter some terms and phrases that make no sense to you.
So, here’s a quick glossary that will help you when placing your Grand National bets:
- Win – This simply means betting on a horse to win a race.
- Each way – You place two bets, half to win and half to place. If your horse finishes in either of the places, you will be paid a prize.
- Favourite – This is the shortest-odds horse that is considered to have the best chance of winning the race.
- Odds-on – When a horse is really fancied to win, they might be odds-on – e.g., their price is shorter than even money. This is not to say that they are guaranteed to win, as favourites lose often.
- Odds-against – A horse with a lower win probability is odds-against, where the price paid out is greater than even money if they do prevail.
- Ante-post – This is a speculative betting market opened up months in advance of a race. It can be high risk, but the odds tend to be higher.
- Lucky 15 – The Grand National takes place towards the end of the Aintree Festival. You bet on multiple horses to win their respective races, placing them together in an accumulative bet. Here, you can get a return even if some of your selections don’t win.
Bet On The Grand National At LeoVegas.
At LeoVegas, we offer both ante-post and post-declaration betting markets for the Grand National. It’s always worth remembering that a horse’s odds to win the Grand National will fluctuate in line with their performances during the season. If they are winning races or running well, then their odds will likely shorten. Conversely, if they are under-par, then their Grand National odds will lengthen – choosing when to bet is almost as important as deciding who to back.
You can bet on the Grand National online with us. Navigate to the horse racing section of our website or app via the ‘browse sports’ menu. You can use the ‘meetings’ or ‘ante-post’ tabs to locate the Grand National betting market (it will typically be ante-post if you’re wagering before April).
You’ll see a list of the horses running and their respective odds. To place your Grand National bets, simply tap on the odds of the horse you want to back. The selection will be added to your betslip, where you can enter your stake and choose whether to bet each way or on the nose – always double-check the details before clicking to confirm your bet.
Grand National betting tips: what to look out for
There’s no exact science to picking out a Grand National winner: if there was, everybody would be at it!
However, the best Grand National betting tips will focus on the long history of the race. Which jockeys/trainers/owners have enjoyed repeat success in the Grand National? Which of the handicap weights has the best chance of winning? How have the odds been shaped over the season? Which horses have thrived on the going (e.g., is the ground firm, soft or heavy)?
While not advice to follow without further research, note that between 2013 and 2023, eight of the 10 winners of the race were bred in Ireland – this is an excellent starting point for any betting tips for the Grand National.
Grand National Odd
The odds for the Grand National are constantly fluctuating, so it’s a good idea to pay attention to the market changes in the lead-up to the race, as prices of each horse are likely to change based on betting patterns. When betting on the Grand National, it’s important to consider when you want to place your wagers, as ante-post markets may offer more value through enhanced odds than gambling on the day. It’s worth also bearing in mind that the favourite has only won twice since the year 2000, although two other winners in that time have been joint-favourites. When it comes to the odds, prices in double-digits have been more successful than those in single figures in recent history.
Grand National Festival Races
Many people both in the UK and abroad are unaware that the Grand National isn’t an isolated race, but is actually part of a bigger festival. In fact, 21 horse races are scheduled across three days, with the National itself actually the penultimate race of the meeting. Find out all you need to know about the other scheduled races below.
Opening Day
The Manifesto Novices’ Chase is the first race of the meeting, open to novices five years old and above. It is named after an eight-time Grand National runner who won the race twice. The first running of this race was in 2009, and winning horses include Mad Max, Finian’s Oscar, and Protektorat.
The Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle was first run in 1976, and in that time both AP McCoy and Robert Thornton have ridden three winners each. There are also two trainers tied for most wins, with Alan King and Paul Nicholls each training four winners this century.
The Aintree Bowl Chase is open to horses aged four and up, and is run over a distance of three miles and one furlong. It was originally intended as a chance for Cheltenham Gold Cup losers to compete for success, but it has evolved over time. The Bowl was promoted to Grade 1 status in 2010, having first been run in 1984.
The Aintree Hurdle has a rich history, having first been run in 1976. Morley Street saw success four years in a row between 1990 and 1993, with Toby Bading (who had also trained 1989’s Beech Road) being the outright leading trainer in this race until 2022, when Nicky Henderson earned his fifth win through Epatante.
The Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase is one of three races to be run over the Grand National fences during the festival. It is contested over a distance of two miles and five furlongs.
The Red Rum Handicap Chase is a Grade 3 race along the Milmay course across a distance of one mile, seven furlongs, and 176 yards. It was named after Red Rum in 1997, having been known as the Aintree Chase since 1976. It is open to horses aged five years and up.
The Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat is run over a distance of two miles and is a Grade 2 race.
Ladies Day
The Top Novices’ Hurdle features nine hurdles across a distance of just over two miles. The race has been run since 1976 and some of its more well-known winners include Granville Again in 1991, Straw Bear in 2006, Darlan in 2012, My Tent Or Yours in 2013, Buveur d’Air in 2016, and Jonbon in 2022.
The Mildmay Novices’ Chase is a race over 3 miles and 1 furlong, where 19 hurdles need to be jumped on the way. The winners of the first two races in its history, Bregawn and Burrough Hill Lad, went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup. More recent winners include Native River, Might Bite, and Lostintranslation in 2016, 2017, and 2019 respectively.
The Melling Chase was first run in 1991, and often includes horses that ran in either the Ryanair Chase or the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham the previous month. Barry Geraghty is the most successful jockey in the history of the race, having won on Moscow Flyer in 2004 and 2005, Finian’s Rainbow in 2012, and Sprinter Sacre in 2013.
The Topham Handicap Chase is, along with the Foxhunters’ Chase and the National itself, one of the three races contested over the Grand National fences. Since first being run in 1949, a few different horses have won this race twice in a row, including Culworth (1950 & 1951), Roughan (1957 & 1958), and Ultragold (2017 & 2018). However, Always Waining is the only horse to win the race three times, in 2010, 2011, and 2012.
The Sefton Novices’ Hurdle is a Grade 1 race over three miles and half a furlong, where 13 hurdles need to be jumped. It has often featured horses that have also competed in the Spa Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham the previous month, with Fishers Cross winning both in 2013.
Grand National Day
The Bridle Road Handicap Hurdle is run over three miles and half a furlong, with 13 hurdles to be jumped. It has had many names over the years, largely due to sponsorship reasons, and 2007 winner Albertas Run may be one of the most well-known.
Mersey Novices’ Hurdle was upgraded to a Grade 1 race by the British Horseracing Authority in 2014, and has been a popular race with horse racing fans since its inauguration in 1977. In 1988, the length was reduced to the current distance of two miles and four furlongs.
Maghull Novices’ Chase was established in 1954, with Paul Nicholls absolutely dominating the results in terms of trainer wins. He has seven to his name, through horses as varied as Flagship Uberalles, Armaturk, Le Roi Miguel, Twist Magic, Tataniano, San Benedeto, and Diego Du Charmil.
The Liverpool Hurdle was held at Ascot for the first 30 years of its existence, before moving to Aintree in 2004. It is run over a distance of just over three miles.
The Freebooter Handicap Chase is a Grade 3 race over a distance of three miles and one furlong.
The Grand National is the big race, and the one that attracts the most bettors online, in bookmakers, and at Aintree.
The Weatherbys Standard Open National Hunt Flat is the closing race of the festival, and is open to horses aged between four and six years old. It has been run most years since 1987, with the Twiston-Davies family being the most successful over the years.
Grand National Betting Trends
When betting on the Grand National, it’s important to consider a number of factors, including the overall horses’ form and significant elements such as the weather and the status of the ground underfoot. However, a great guide to assist you, especially if you’re placing your first bet on the Grand National, would be the trends and patterns seen in recent winners.
For the big race, there are a few recent trends that may assist you. First up is the fact that a huge proportion of recent winners claimed victory while being involved in the Grand National for the first time. Furthermore, Irish horses have also dominated in recent years, so that might be an area to explore further. When it comes to the age of recent winners, the stats suggest you should be looking between the ages of 8 years and 12 years old.
Grand National Winners
The Grand National has had its fair share of notable past winners since its inception in 1839, where Lottery became the first horse to win the prestigious event, when the 9-year-old favourite was ridden by Jem Mason to give trainer George Dockeray his first of several wins. See below for recent winning horses, jockeys, and trainers.
Grand National Winning Horses
- 2023: Corach Rambler
- 2022: Noble Yeats
- 2021: Minella Times
- 2019: Tiger Roll
- 2018: Tiger Roll
- 2017: One For Arthur
Grand National betting tips FAQs
Can I bet on more than one horse in the Grand National?
Yes, you can! Because the odds of each horse tend to be longer in this large-field, unpredictable race, you can bet on multiple runners together and could still see a positive return if they win or place.
What type of bets can I place on the Grand National?
You can bet to ‘win only’ or ‘each way’ on the Grand National, the latter of which will net you a return even if your selection doesn’t win but does finish in the specified number of places.
Is there a favourite in the Grand National?
The Grand National is a hard race to win and so the favourites change every year for this race – but yes, the Grand National does have a favourite – this is the shortest-priced horse at the start of the race.
How can I place a bet on the Grand National?
You can place your Grand National bets right here at LeoVegas! Simply head to our horse racing section and then search for the Grand National betting market there.