The Grand National is generally regarded as the biggest and most famous horse race in the world, with millions around the globe tuning in to witness the live action from Aintree Racecourse each year. This is the race on which everyone likes to bet – from seasoned punters to those who only place a single wager each year – and as such, the leading betting sites have been gearing themselves up for the three-day Grand National festival with a wide range of enhanced odds, enhanced places and other promotions.
With so many great bookmaker offers available in the lead-up to the Grand National, it can be a daunting task choosing between the many providers. Nevertheless, help is at hand with many UK and Irish bookmaker comparison sites such as Bettingsites.ie providing details of each leading betting operator such as odds comparisons, available promotions and range of sports betting markets.
Grand National Bookmaker Offers
Many of the leading UK and Irish bookmakers change their regular promotions for the Grand National due to the fact that they know many people will be placing a bet anyway. For those looking to place bets on the Grand National 2023, it is wise to register a new bookmaker account in the week before the Festival gets underway. By doing this you will be able to get hold of the regular bookmaker welcome bonus and claim a range of free bets so that you have the best chance of making a profit from the outset.
Best Grand National Bookmakers
Each year millions place a bet on the Grand National and most of these aren't regular punters, therefore the likelihood is that many won't be familiar with his online bookmakers and their promotions actually work.
The very first thing to know is that with an online bookmaker – as opposed to a high street betting shop – you will be able to take advantage of some great promotions such as cash-back offers, increased places and enhanced odds.
The best Grand National bookmakers will offer six places on the big race, plus you may also receive boosted odds and free bets to use on any of the key races at the three-day Grand National Festival.
Grand National Betting Offers
The Grand National is a gruelling race and given the nature of the course, many outsiders have a chance of finishing first past the post. Due to the fact that picking a winner is notoriously difficult, many punters bet each-way on this race. This means that you will get a winning return if your horse doesn't actually win but ‘places' instead.
Many bookmakers pay four places, therefore you get a return if your horse comes in anywhere between first and fourth. Nevertheless, many bookmakers offer enhanced places of up to five or even six places for the Grand National itself, therefore you would get a winning return if your horse came in fifth or sixth. Clearly this gives you a better chance of winning and it is certainly worth checking which online betting operators actually offer this promotion.
Similarly, it is important to consider which bookmakers are offering Best Odds Guaranteed. Here you will be given the very best price available between placing your bet and the start of the race, for example if your horse has bigger odds upon starting than when you placed your bet, you will get paid at the better odds if it wins. Most of the larger bookmakers offer Best Odds Guaranteed for the Grand National.
Picking a Grand National Winner
Up to 40 horses will be competing in the 2023 Grand National and picking a winner can seem very much like potluck. That said, this contest is now over 180 years old and as such there is plenty of historical data and information to fall back on. Here are some of the trends which could help you choose a winner in this year's Grand National.
- The Grand National takes place over a distance of just over four miles and all-but-one winner of the race since 1970 have won over three miles previously. As such, you should always pick a horse with proven stamina.
- No horse aged 8 years or less has won the Grand National since 1975, while no runner aged 13 or above has won the contest since 1923, therefore the best advice would be to choose a horse aged between 9 and 12.
- Of the last four Grand National winners, three have come from Irish stables, while the same applies to six of the last fifteen. Irish stables have enjoyed a good record at this race over the decades.
- Only two winners of this race since 1977 have been burdened with a weight of over 11st 5lbs, therefore the best advice here would be to consider runners carrying less than this weight.
- Of the last 28 winners of the Grand National, 18 were amongst the top eight favourites in the betting market. Outsiders can win this race but as a rule, it is best to look for one of the more fancied contenders.
Who won the 2022 Grand National?
The 2022 Grand National was won by Noble Yeats, ridden by Sam Waley-Cohen at a starting price of 50/1. This was the biggest-priced winner of the race since 2013 when Auroras Encore finished first past the post at 66/1.
When is the Grand National and who is providing live coverage?
The 2023 Grand National takes place on the third and final day of the three-day Grand National festival on Saturday, 15th April. The race is scheduled to get underway at 5:15 pm (UK time).
For those watching on terrestrial television, ITV will broadcast live coverage of the Grand National while those with funded bookmaker accounts and those who have placed bets via an online bookmaker who offers live streaming can watch on the relevant website.
More information on the Grand National can be found at the BBC Horse Racing Site.
