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 Aintree festival with a wide range of enhanced odds, enhanced places and other promotions.
Grand National bookmaker offers
Many of the leading UK and Irish bookmakers change their regular promotions for the Grand National because they know many people will be placing a bet anyway.
For those looking to place bets on the 2026 Grand National, 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.
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 our page of top bookie offers.
Best Grand National bookmakers
Each year millions place a bet on the Grand National, and most of these aren't regular punters. 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.
Enhanced places
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; 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.
Best odds
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
It's been confirmed that 34 horses will be competing in the 2026 Grand National, and while 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, trends and information to fall back on.
Here are some of the key pointers 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.
- The Grand National is a rare race where previous experience is somewhat negative – 15 of the last 17 Grand National winners were having their first run when they won.
- Only two winners of the last 11 winners of this race have been burdened with a weight of over 11bs, so the best advice here would be to consider runners carrying less than this weight.
- Of the last 29 winners of the Grand National, 19 were Irish-bred, including last year's winner Nick Rockett and 204 winner, I Am Maximus.
- A total of 13 mares have won the Grand National so far. However, the last time this has happened was 73 years ago, in 1951.
Who won the 2025 Grand National?
The 2025 Grand National was won by Nick Rockett, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by his son, amateur National Hunt jockey Patrick Mullins. The 33/1 shot beat 2024 winner and 7/1 favourite, I Am Maximus, by around 2.5 lengths.
How to watch the 2026 Grand National, including date, time and TV channel
The 2026 Grand National takes place on the third and final day of the three-day Aintree festival on Saturday 11th April 2026. The race is scheduled to get underway at 16:00pm (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 that offers live streaming can watch on the relevant website.
You can also stream the race via ITVx, which allows viewers to watch coverage on mobile, tablet, desktop or smart TVs.
Subscribers to Racing TV can also watch through its dedicated app and website.
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