Grand National Betting Guide

Horses jumping a fence at the Aintree Grand National

The Grand National betting guide offers you everything you need to bet on the 2025 Grand National Steeple Chase and as well as all other races of the three-day Grand National Festival held at Aintree Racecourse. Get the latest race cards, odds comparisons, bookie specialssign-up offers, tips and results, for every race of the 2025 Aintree Grand National Festival.

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About the Aintree Grand National Festival

The Aintree Grand National Festival is a premier event in the National Hunt racing calendar, held annually in April at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England. Spanning three days with a total of 21 races, this prestigious festival culminates in the world-famous Grand National steeplechase, widely regarded as the ultimate test in jump racing.

The festival attracts thousands of visitors to Merseyside, while an estimated 800 million people watch the main event on television worldwide. It showcases some of the most challenging and prestigious horse races, featuring elite horses, jockeys, and trainers competing for substantial prize money and sporting glory.

The Grand National Festival combines thrilling racing action with a vibrant social atmosphere, making it one of the most anticipated sporting events in the British calendar.


History of the Festival

The origins of the Grand National can be traced back to the early 1800s. The Grand Liverpool Steeplechase, which would later become known as the Grand National, was first run in February 1839, with Lottery becoming the inaugural winner.

The race was founded by William Lynn, proprietor of the Waterloo Hotel, on land leased from the Earl of Sefton. Lynn established the course and built a grandstand, with the foundation stone being laid on February 7, 1829. The race transformed from a small local affair to a national event around 1839 due to three significant developments:

  • The end of the competing Great St. Albans Chase
  • The expansion of railway links to Liverpool, enabling nationwide attendance
  • The formation of an organizing committee

Edward William Topham, a respected handicapper and member of Lynn’s syndicate, played a crucial role in the race’s development, turning it into a handicap race in 1843 after it had been a weight-for-age race for the first four years. The Topham family’s influence grew, eventually purchasing the course outright from Lord Sefton in 1949.

Throughout its history, the Grand National has created many legendary stories, perhaps none more notable than Red Rum, who recorded the first of his three victories in the Grand National over 40 years ago. He remains the only horse to have won the Grand National three times, cementing his place in racing history as a phenomenon of extraordinary talent and durability.

The post-war years presented challenges for Aintree, leading to a sale to a property developer and concerns about the future of the Grand National. Bookmaker Ladbrokes stepped in to manage the event until 1984, when Seagram Distillers became sponsors, providing the foundation for Aintree’s revival. Today, Aintree is owned and managed by Jockey Club Racecourses. The Grand National continues to evolve, with the prize fund reaching seven figures for the first time in 2014.


The Racecourse

The Grand National is run over the National Course at Aintree, consisting of two laps of 16 fences, the first 14 of which are jumped twice. Horses completing the race cover a distance of 4 miles 514 yards (6.907 km), making it the longest National Hunt race in Britain.

Originally designed as a cross-country steeplechase in 1839, the race initially took runners from a lane on the edge of the racecourse out over open countryside towards the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, before returning to finish in front of the stands. Although the modern course now incorporates this countryside, commentators still often refer to it as “the country.”

The Grand National course is famous for its challenging and distinctive fences, including the legendary Becher’s Brook (named after Captain Martin Becher, who fell there in the first official race in 1839), and other iconic obstacles like Valentine’s and the Canal Turn. These formidable jumps have become synonymous with the challenge of the Grand National, testing both horse and rider to their limits.

As part of ongoing safety improvements, in recent years the start of the race was moved forward, reducing the distance slightly from the historical 4 miles 856 yards. For the 2024 race, further safety measures were implemented, including reducing the field from 40 to 34 runners and moving the first fence closer to the start line to slow horses down at the beginning of the race.


Attendance at the Grand National Festival

The Aintree Grand National Festival is one of the most well-attended racing events in the British calendar, drawing thousands of spectators over its three-day duration. Merseyside welcomes vast crowds for the races each year, while an estimated 800 million people watch the main event on television globally. This makes it not just a national but a truly international sporting phenomenon.

In 2024, the festival once again demonstrated its immense popularity, with over 120,000 racegoers attending across the three days:

  • Opening Day – Just over 22,000 spectators
  • Ladies Day – More than 42,000 attendees
  • Grand National Day – Nearly 56,000 fans packing into Aintree

Dressing up is a significant aspect of the Grand National experience, with many attendees using the occasion to showcase their finest attire. Though not as formally prescribed as at Royal Ascot, the Grand National Festival sees women in elegant dresses, stylish hats, and fashionable outfits, while men often wear smart suits or coordinated ensembles. This tradition enhances the festival atmosphere, making the event as much a social occasion as a sporting one.


Key Races of the Festival

The Aintree Grand National Festival is spread across three days, offering a total of 21 races that showcase different aspects of National Hunt racing. Each day features distinctive races that attract top horses, jockeys, and trainers from Britain and Ireland.

Day 1: Opening Day

The first day of the festival features four Grade 1 races, setting the stage for a high-class racing spectacle:

Additionally, the Grade 3 Red Rum Handicap Chase is a popular race which is known for its competitive field.

Day 2: Ladies Day

While Ladies Day is famous for its fashion and social atmosphere, the racing remains top-class, featuring four key Grade 1 races:

The Grade 3 Topham Chase, run over the Grand National fences, is another highlight.

Day 3: Grand National Day

The final day of the festival centres around the Grand National, the world’s most famous steeplechase and the pinnacle of the entire festival. 

The Grand National itself is a premier handicap steeplechase run over the challenging National Course. It features the most formidable test in steeplechasing, with horses and jockeys negotiating 16 unique fences (14 of which are jumped twice) over a distance of 4 miles 514 yards. The race is open to horses aged seven years and older that are rated 125 or more by the British Horseracing Authority and have previously placed in a recognized chase of 2 miles 7½ furlongs or more.

The Grand National is a handicap race, meaning horses carry different weights based on their official ratings, with the maximum being 11 stone 12 pounds. This system aims to create a more level playing field, giving horses of different abilities a theoretical chance of winning. The prize money is substantial, with the 2024 race offering a purse of £1,000,000, half of which went to the winner.

In addition to this legendary event, three other Grade 1 races take place:


Betting on Festival Races

Betting on the Aintree Grand National Festival, especially the Grand National race itself, is a national tradition in the UK that extends far beyond regular racing enthusiasts. The Grand National is often described as “the race that stops a nation,” with millions of people who wouldn’t normally bet on horse racing placing wagers on this iconic event. It’s estimated that around a quarter of the adult population in the UK places a bet on the Grand National, making it the single biggest betting event in the British racing calendar.

The Grand National presents unique betting challenges and opportunities due to its distinctive nature. With a large field traditionally capped at 40 runners (though reduced to 34 from 2024 for safety reasons), challenging fences, and the lengthy distance, it’s considered one of the most unpredictable races in the calendar. This unpredictability is reflected in the typically long odds offered on most runners, with winners at 100/1 or higher not uncommon throughout the race’s history.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Grand National betting is its accessibility to casual punters. Office sweepstakes are extremely popular, with colleagues each drawing a random horse for a small stake. Many people select horses based on names, colours, or sentimental connections rather than form, which is part of the race’s unique charm. It’s the one race of the year where expert analysis and casual intuition seem to produce equally valid results.

The Grand National has produced some remarkable betting stories over the years. Perhaps most famous was the victory of Foinavon in 1967 at odds of 100/1, who only won after a mass pile-up at the 23rd fence (now named Foinavon fence in commemoration) that hampered virtually every other runner. Similarly, Mon Mome shocked the betting world in 2009 by winning at 100/1, while Noble Yeats won at 50/1 in 2022 in amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen’s final professional ride.

For serious bettors, the Grand National presents a different kind of challenge compared to regular races. Factors such as stamina, jumping ability, weight carried, and ground conditions are crucial considerations. Many professional gamblers look for horses with proven stamina over long distances and good jumping records, especially those that have previously completed the Grand National course. Historical trends show that horses carrying less than 11 stone and aged between 8-11 years have the best record in the race, though exceptions are common.

The betting market for the Grand National begins to take shape months before the race, with ante-post betting allowing punters to secure potentially better odds by betting early, albeit with the risk that their chosen horse might not run. As the race approaches, betting intensifies, with the final 24 hours seeing a massive surge in betting activity both online and in high street bookmakers.

In recent years, betting on the Grand National has evolved significantly, with online and mobile betting making it easier than ever to place wagers. Virtual betting experiences and live streaming have enhanced the experience for those unable to attend in person. Additionally, bookmakers typically offer special promotions specifically for the Grand National, including enhanced place terms (sometimes paying out on the first five, six, or even seven places) and money-back specials if your horse falls or unseats its rider.

The Grand National’s global appeal is reflected in its international betting market. While British and Irish punters dominate, the race attracts bets from all over the world, with the estimated global betting turnover for the race exceeding £250 million annually. This international appeal has been enhanced by successes for Irish-trained horses in recent years, with Irish trainers now regularly dominating the race.

One unique feature of Grand National betting is the importance of the story behind each runner. Horses with compelling narratives – whether it’s a popular jockey’s final ride, a trainer seeking their first win after many attempts, or a horse returning from injury – often receive disproportionate betting support. This emotional connection between the public and certain runners adds an extra dimension to the betting experience that isn’t present in many other sporting events.

For those new to betting on the Grand National, understanding the handicapping system is important. As a handicap race, horses carry different weights based on their ability, with better horses carrying more weight to theoretically give all runners an equal chance. This system has produced some fascinating results, with both heavily-weighted favourites and lightly-weighted longshots finding success over the years, adding to the race’s reputation as the ultimate sporting lottery.