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Grand National Betting Sites

Written by Paul Kemp
Paul Kemp is an experienced sports writer covering Soccer, NBA and NHL. He also writes in depth reviews of sports betting sites based on his personal experience.
, | Updated: December 9, 2024

Find our expert reviews of reputable and regulated Grand National horse racing betting sites. Each bookmaker has been thoroughly checked by our team with real money account.

Once you you have familiarized yourself with the remarkable history of the Grand National, as well as the betting options this major horse racing event provides, you need to choose a reliable online sportsbook to put your knowledge into practice. Based on some key features, we have made an exhaustive study and present to your attention our proposal for Top 10 Grand National Betting Sites. All selected bookmakers have a proven record of providing a secure betting environment so you do not have to worry about the safety of your funds and sensitive information. Keep on reading and select the bookie that best suits your betting style and expertise level.

Grand National Betting Sites Ranked by Trustpilot Rating

Comparison of Grand National Betting Sites

SportsbookSports on OfferMin DepositMin WithdrawalMin BetBonusesBonus Wagering RequirementsIn-Play BettingLicenses
BovadaAmerican Football, Baseball, Soccer, Basketball, and 20+ other sports• $10 - Crypto, Player Transfer, MatchPay• $20 - Bank Cards• $50 - Direct Bank Transfer• $10 - Voucher, MatchPay• $250 - Check by Courier• $1,500 - Bank Wire• $10 - All crypto except USDT and ETH• $50 - USDT and ETH$0.50

• 75% Welcom Crypto Bonus up to $750
• 50% Welcome Fiat Deposit Bonus up to $250

5x deposit + bonus (both types of Welcome Bonus)

Yes

Union of the Comoros

bet365Football, Tennis, Speedway, Table Tennis, and 40+ other sports$/€10$/€10$/€0.10

New Account Offer up to €50 in Bet Credits

Place qualifying bets to release bet credits (New Account Offer)

Yes

UKGC (#055148-R-331498-001)
MGA (#MGA/CRP/531/2018)
Government of Gibraltar (#076)
+10 jurisdictions (including US states)

888sportFootball, Horse Racing, Tennis, American Football, and 20+ other sports$/€10$/€10$/€0.10

• €30 Free Bet on First Bet
• €5 Weekly Free Bet

Free bets must be fully wagered

Yes

UKGC (#039028-R-319297-012)
MGA (#MGA/CRP/543/2018)
Government of Gibraltar (#112 and #113)

Sports InteractionBasketball, Football, Tennis, Hockey, Soccer, eSports, and 30+ other sports$10$10$1

NFL Prime Time Big Day Pay Day; NFL Pick’em $1,000 in Prizes to be Won; NFL Pinata Pick!

Pre-match moneyline bets qualify (NFL Prime Time Big Day Pay Day); Make picks and earn points to rank on leaderboards (NFL Pick’em $1,000 in Prizes to be Won); Enter for free in the Pinata Pick Contests (NFL Pinata Pick!)

Yes

Kahnawake Gaming Commission;
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (#OPIG1242525)

EverygameFootball, Tennis, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Golf, and 10+ other sports$10$100 - $150$1

• 50% Sign-up Bonus up to $200
• 4 x $100 free bets
• $50 Weekly Free Bet on Losing Parlay Bets

• 8x deposit + bonus amount at min. odds of -200 (1.5) (Sign-up Bonus)
• All free bets must be fully wagered

Yes

No official license information

UnibetHockey, Soccer, Cricket, eSports, Golf, and 30+ othersports€10€15 for Neteller and Skrill€10€15 for Visa€0.10

Welcome Offer:
Deposit €10, Receive €40

Welcome Offer:
3x the bonus amount

Yes

Irish Revenue Commissioners (1013174)

Malta Gaming Authority (MGA/B2C/106/2000)

UK Gambling Commission (045322-R-324275-017)

Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA)

Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner (No. 092)

XBetBasketball, Soccer, Golf, Tennis, MMA, Motor Sports, and 25+ other sports• $45 - MasterCard, VISA • $20 - Cryptocurrencies • $100 - Person2Person• $100 - for all payment methods except Bitcoin ($25)$1

• 50% Credit Card Welcome Bonus up to $200
• 100% Crypto Welcome Bonus up to $200
• 5% Crypto Re-Up Bonus up to $100
•7% Horse Rebate

• Min $50 Deposit; 1x Playthrough (50% Credit Card Welcome Bonus up to $200)
• Min Deposit $50; 1x Playthrough (100% Crypto Welcome Bonus up to $200)
• Min Deposit $50; 1x Playthrough (5% Crypto Re-Up Bonus up to $100)
• No playthrough requirement (7% Horse Rebate)

Yes

Curacao

BetOnlineHockey, Tennis, Soccer,Volleyball, and 20+other sportsCards: $25Crypto: $20Wire Transfer: $500Crypto: $20Wire Transfer: $500Courier Check: $500$1 online$25 for phonewagers

Welcome Offer: 50% up to
$250 in free bets and 100 free
spins

1x for free bets from the
welcome offer

Yes

Panama

BetUSRFootball, Tennis,Soccer, Golf,Basketball, Cricket,and 25+ Sports• Bitcoin - $20• P2P - $100• Bitcoin - $25• Bank Wire- $100$1

300% Welcome
Bonus up to
$3,000 on
sports and
casino

• 20x for sports
bonus
• 40x for casino
bonus
• Crypto deposits
only
• $100 minimum
deposit

Yes

Curacao

Best Grand National Betting Sites

  1. Bovada

    Bovada logo
    Bet Now Review
    Licenses
    Union of the Comoros
    Min Deposit
    • $10 - Crypto, Player Transfer, MatchPay• $20 - Bank Cards• $50 - Direct Bank Transfer
    Min Withdrawal
    • $10 - Voucher, MatchPay• $250 - Check by Courier• $1,500 - Bank Wire• $10 - All crypto except USDT and ETH• $50 - USDT and ETH
    Withdrawal Time
    • Bitcoin - Up to 24 hours • Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Tether, and Litecoin - Up to 1 hour• Check by Courier - Approximately 10-15 Business Days • Bank Wire - Approximately 10-15 business days
    Deposit Methods
    Visa logoMastercard logoBank Transfer logoBitcoin logoEthereum logoTether logoLitecoin logoBitcoin Cash logoAmex logoMatchPay logoPapara logo
    Sponsorships
    N/A
    Contact Details
    Live Chat: Yes Email: service@bovada.lv Phone: N/A
    Facebook profileX profileInstagram profileLinkedIn profile
    • Well-established brand
    • 20+ sports
    • Decent selection of horse racing events
    • Various bonuses and promotions
    • 24/7 customer support
    • Curaçao licensing

    Bovada is a sports betting brand that is well known to American punters. The bookie operates within the famous Bodog family and although it is intended for the US market only, it comes with a diverse portfolio comprising sports like soccer, which is a usual constituent of European betting platforms. However, the leading disciplines are basketball, baseball, American football, and last but not least, horse racing which has a separate section on the main betting site.

    The first thing punters see when they enter Bovada’s racebook section is the next 5 races they can bet on as well as a short selection of trending events. Each racing card includes the following information: starting positions, horse & jockey names, morning line odds, and a drop-down menu with the betting markets available for the particular event. Buttons for Win, Place, and Show are presented by default while for the other options you need to make a couple of additional clicks.

    Bovada tries to maintain a constant customer base and attract new punters to join its platform by providing a selection of lucrative promotional offers. The good thing is that for the most part they are not restricted to particular sports, so you can take advantage of them even if you only bet on horse racing. Currently, the available promotions include Sports Welcome Bonus, Bitcoin Welcome Bonus, Refer-a-friend, and Rewards Program.

  2. bet365

    bet365 logo
    Bet Now Review
    Licenses
    UKGC (#055148-R-331498-001) MGA (#MGA/CRP/531/2018) Government of Gibraltar (#076) +10 jurisdictions (including US states)
    Min Deposit
    $/€10
    Min Withdrawal
    $/€10
    Withdrawal Time
    * E-wallets - 1-4 hours* Debit Card - 1-4 hours* Credit Cards - 1-5 days* Wire Transfer - up to 12 hours
    Deposit Methods
    Visa logoMastercard logoNeteller logoSkrill logoSkrill 1-Tap logoPayPal logoPaysafecard logoBank Transfer logoInstadebit logoiDebit logoAstropay logoInterac logoApple Pay logo
    Sponsorships
    UEFA Champions League
    Contact Details
    Live Chat: Yes email: support.eng@customerservices365.com Phone: 00 800 1236 5365
    Facebook profileX profileLinkedIn profile
    • Multi-jurisdiction licensing
    • Various payment methods
    • Lots of horse racing events
    • Abundance of bet types
    • Loyalty program
    • Dedicated mobile applications

    Bet365 is a well-regulated global sports betting operator that enjoys one of the largest bases with registered punters. The bookie holds licenses issued by the UK Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority, and the Government of Gibraltar as well as several local regulatory bodies.

    The accepted currencies and payment methods are tailored to the respective countries where the brand operates, which makes bet365 a preferred option for lots of betting enthusiasts. What is more, all transactions are fee free unless currency conversion is involved. No cryptocurrencies can be used for funding betting accounts. However, this should be not a major concern since the available e-wallets and online banking services allow for instant deposits and up to 24-hour withdrawals.

    The main argument of the opponents of online horse betting is that it takes the thrill out of the pastime. In general, we tend to agree with them, but fortunately, there are a number of top-notch bookmakers who offer high-quality live streams which can increase your adrenaline level even when wagering from the comfort of your home. Bet365 is one of those sportsbooks and when it comes to the Grand National, it has a special treat for avid horse racing punters. Through the feature Price Promise, the bookie guarantees that it will offer the best odds on all Aintree races that are broadcasted live on ITV. Special T&Cs apply, so check with bet365 for further details.

  3. 888sport

    888sport logo
    Bet Now Review
    Licenses
    UKGC (#039028-R-319297-012) MGA (#MGA/CRP/543/2018) Government of Gibraltar (#112 and #113)
    Min Deposit
    $/€10
    Min Withdrawal
    $/€10
    Withdrawal Time
    • E-wallets and Rapid Transfer - 2-3 days• Visa and ApplePay - up to 6 days• Wire transfer - 5-8 days
    Deposit Methods
    Visa logoMastercard logoNeteller logoSkrill logoPayPal logoPaysafecard logoTrustly logoNordea logoBank Transfer logoiDebit logoBoleto logoAstropay logoSofort logoecoPayz logoNeosurf logoWebMoney logoInstant banking logoInterac logoMuchBetter logoApple Pay logo
    Sponsorships
    National Football League (NFL), Dundalk Football Club, Cardiff City FC
    Contact Details
    Live Chat: Yes email: support@888sport.com Phone: N/A
    LinkedIn profile
    • Rich sports selection
    • Several language versions
    • Instant deposits
    • Abundance of horse races featured
    • Live streaming for UK racing
    • Easy-to-use apps

    888sport is an award-winning gambling brand whose online sportsbook is a preferred platform for lots of betting enthusiasts around the globe. Apart from its A-Z list with all featured disciples, the bookie has separate buttons for the most popular sports, namely soccer, tennis, and horse racing. Given that 888sport covers an abundance of racing events across multiple tracks, it may be not an easy task to spot a particular race. In such a case, punters can use the handy search bar that allows them to search by sport, team, or competition.

    Fans of online wagering on sports will remain satisfied by the large selection of disciplines available on both the main betting site of 888sport and its dedicated mobile applications. Furthermore, there are a handful of sport-related promotions including a welcome bonus, price enhancements, free-bet promotions, and others. If you want to diversify your online betting experience, you can place a wager on any of the events presented within the Politics and Novelty Bets categories.

    Thanks to the massive lineup of deposit options accepted, it is 100% sure that punters will find at least one payment solution they are used to. Minimum and maximum transaction limits differ among the various methods. The lowest deposit amount required is $10 while the maximum threshold is tailored to the status of the individual accounts. Withdrawal methods are slightly less in number but still offer enough choice – bank cards, e-wallets, prepaid cards, online banking services, etc.

  4. Sports Interaction

    Sports Interaction logo
    Bet Now Review
    Licenses
    Kahnawake Gaming Commission; The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (#OPIG1242525)
    Min Deposit
    $10
    Min Withdrawal
    $10
    Withdrawal Time
    • Bank cards - 3-5 banking days• E-wallets - within 8 hours• Bank Transfers - 3-5 bankig days• Instant Banking - instant
    Deposit Methods
    Visa logoMastercard logoecoPayz logoPaysafecard logoNeosurf logoMuchBetter logoInterac Online logoiDebit logoInstadebit logoeCheck logo
    Sponsorships
    NHL
    Contact Details
    Live Chat: Yes email: Contact Us Form Phone: N/A
    X profileInstagram profileYouTube chanelTikTok profile
    • Superb industry reputation
    • User-friendly interface
    • Generous welcome bonus
    • Regular and virtual horse racing sections
    • Good selection of payment solutions
    • Extensive help page

    Established in 1997, Sports Interaction or SIA as it is also known, is a trustworthy online bookmaker geared exclusively toward the Canadian market. It holds licenses issued by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission and the Jersey Gambling Commission, which guarantee that the services provided are legitimate and ensure a fair betting environment. All sensitive information is protected via end-to-end SSL encryption.

    Sports Interaction pleases its registered users with a great in-play section. When launched, it shows all events currently available for betting with a separate tab for each sport. There is also a schedule for the next 5 days so you can plan your betting activity more easily. We like the fact events can be filtered not only by discipline and date but by bet type. Thus, if punters have a preferred betting market like Trifecta in horse racing for example, they can spot the available options in a matter of seconds.

    SIA has not developed a downloadable sports betting application but this should not be a major concern since the web-based app is fully functional with no shortages in terms of features, sports markets, bonuses, and payment methods. The latter include locally popular financial services such as iDebit, Interac, and Instadebit in addition to universally accepted credit cards, prepaid vouchers, and others.

  5. Everygame

    Everygame logo
    Bet Now Review
    Licenses
    No official license information
    Min Deposit
    $10
    Min Withdrawal
    $100 - $150
    Withdrawal Time
    * Bitcoin and ecoPayz - 48 hours* Checks (the US only) - 5 business days* Bank wires - up to 15 business days* SEPA - up to 4 business days
    Deposit Methods
    Visa logoMastercard logoBank Transfer logoBitcoin logoLitecoin logoecoPayz logoeZeeWallet logoNeosurf logoBitcoin Cash logoDiscover logoAmerican Express logo
    Sponsorships
    N/A
    Contact Details
    Live Chat: Yes Email: bet@everygame.eu Phone: Scheduled calls only
    X profile
    • Fast and secure transactions
    • Good selection of US horse races
    • Tempting bonuses and promotions
    • US punters accepted
    • No native applications
    • 24/7 customer support

    Casual bettors will probably be surprised when we say that Everygame is the most experienced player on the online gambling field. There is a very simple reason for this – it was only December 1sr, 2021, when the well-known online bookmaker announced it is rebranding its commercial identity to Everygame. The name change did not bring any amendments in terms of ownership or selection of services but is certainly a good move in view of the brand’s ambitions to establish a global footprint.

    Like other online bookmakers worth their salt, Everygame knows that one of the first issues punters investigate before joining a certain betting platform is what bonuses and promotions they can take advantage of. In this regard, the bookie has done a pretty good job as it allows betting enthusiasts to start their experience with a welcome bonus distributed on their first three deposits followed by several permanent and short-term incentives as well as the traditional refer-a-friend promotion.

    Despite its stated desire to cover the European market more seriously, at least for now Everygame maintains a horse racing category that covers events held only on US horse tracks such as Del Mar, Saratoga, and Monmouth Park. However, exceptions from this rule can be made for major races like the Grand National but these are subject to an individual announcement shortly before the event starts.

  6. Unibet

    Unibet logo
    Review
    Licenses
    Irish Revenue Commissioners (1013174)Malta Gaming Authority (MGA/B2C/106/2000)UK Gambling Commission (045322-R-324275-017)Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA)Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner (No. 092)
    Min Deposit
    €10€15 for Neteller and Skrill
    Min Withdrawal
    €10€15 for Visa
    Withdrawal Time
    Cards: 1 to 3 daysDirect Banking: 1 to 3daysE-Wallets: Up to 12hours
    Deposit Methods
    Visa logoMastercard logoPayPal logoPaysafecard logoBank Transfer logoMaestro logoInterac logoApple Pay logo
    Sponsorships
    Middlesbrough FCCheltenham FestivalNHL SwedenF.C. CopenhagenPFL Europe Division
    Contact Details
    Live Chat: YesEmail: info@unibetsupport.comPhone: 0808 1686635
    Facebook profileX profileYouTube chanelLinkedIn profile
    • UKGC licensing
    • High withdrawal limits
    • 30+ sports
    • Huge racing section
    • Live streaming
    • Downloadable mobile apps

    With over 20 years of experience and millions of active users, Unibet is hardly a name that needs a detailed introduction. This online bookmaker offers a wide range of betting opportunities as the availability of specific events may vary depending on the bettor’s country of residence. The leading disciplines in Unibet’s portfolio are horse racing, soccer, American football, ice hockey, and rugby. What we like about Unibet is that sports like darts and snooker which are considered niche receive extensive coverage both in terms of events and betting markets.

    As regards horse racing, the bookmaker has compiled one of the most extensive selections we have come across while exploring nowadays online racebooks. Apart from the usual horse racing destinations, here you can try to predict the outcome of races conducted in Mexico, Chile, Peru, and Brazil. The website shows the events that are about to be held over the next five days, so you will be able to see the Grand National-related offers almost on the eve of the annually held horse race.

    Unibet provides both sportsbook bonuses and some promotional offers designed exclusively for the fans of online betting on horses. Interestingly enough, if you reside in the US you will have the relevant information readily available while due to legislative regulations, Australian punters need to log in to their accounts before being able to read what the bookie currently offers.

  7. XBet

    XBet logo
    Bet Now Review
    Licenses
    Curacao
    Min Deposit
    • $45 - MasterCard, VISA • $20 - Cryptocurrencies • $100 - Person2Person
    Min Withdrawal
    • $100 - for all payment methods except Bitcoin ($25)
    Withdrawal Time
    For customers with verified accounts - within 48 hours
    Deposit Methods
    Mastercard logoBitcoin logoPlayer/Person-to-Person Transfer logoVisa logoLitecoin logoBitcoin Cash logoEthereum logoSolana logoCardano  logoTether logoShiba Inu logoDogecoin logo
    Sponsorships
    N/A
    Contact Details
    Live Chat: Yes Contact Us Form Phone: 1-855-219-5809
    X profileInstagram profile
    • Accepts cryptocurrencies
    • Wide variety of sports
    • Lots of horse racing events
    • Horse rebate promotion
    • Competitive odds
    • High-quality customer service

    If you are in search of a user-friendly online betting platform that features a racebook covering horse races from different parts of the globe, Xbet is a brand we advise you not to skip. Its main website collates a sportsbook and a casino with separate Live Betting and Racing tabs which are indicative of the bookie’s priorities. Horse racing fans who set up accounts with Xbet will have the chance to place their wagers on multiple events in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, France, South Africa, Japan, and Sweden. Such a variety is not a common occurrence in today’s online gambling realm.

    The number of available betting markets is not fixed and is mostly related to the popularity and ranking of the particular horse race. What is specific about the Win, Place, and Show bet types is that punters need to enter the stake amount in a box right next to the entrant’s name and then add it to the betslip. Minimum and maximum bet limits do not depend on the bet type but the race, so always check the requirements before placing a horse racing bet via Xbet.

    The accepted payment methods are an area where we would like to see an improvement in the near future. The available solutions are rather limited, especially in terms of withdrawal where betting enthusiasts can choose between bank wires, e-checks, and Bitcoin. Of these, only crypto transactions offer an acceptable time frame (48 hours) while with the others you may have to wait a week or two before having access to your money.

  8. BetOnline

    BetOnline logo
    Licenses
    Panama
    Min Deposit
    Cards: $25Crypto: $20Wire Transfer: $500
    Min Withdrawal
    Crypto: $20Wire Transfer: $500Courier Check: $500
    Withdrawal Time
    Wire Transfer: up to 15 daysCheck: Up to 7 daysCrypto: Up to 24 hours
    Deposit Methods
    Visa logoMastercard logoDiscover logoAmerican Express logoMoneyGram logoBitcoin logoBitcoin Cash logoEthereum logoBank Transfer logoLitecoin logoAvalanche logoBinance Coin logoCardano  logoDogecoin logoPolygon logoPlayer/Person-to-Person Transfer logoTether logoRipple logoShiba Inu logoSolana logoStellar  logoUSD Coin logoTron logoMoney Order logoCheck by Courier logo
    Sponsorships
    Major League WrestlingVantage Tag Systems
    Contact Details
    Live Chat: YesEmail: help@betonlinecs.agPhone: 1-888-426-3661
    Facebook profileX profileInstagram profileTelegram accountYouTube chanelTikTok profile
    • Modern and classic website
    • User-friendly interface
    • Huge selection of payment solutions
    • Special racebook promotions
    • Extensive help page
    • 24/7 customer support

    For over two decades now, BetOnline has been offering sports betting services primarily to gambling enthusiasts in North America. Despite the lack of a reputable license, in recent years, the number of complaints has been constantly decreasing, which makes us think that the bookmaker has stepped on the right path. An indicator by which it surpasses many of its competitors is the payment methods. Cryptocurrencies are far from limited to Bitcoin and Litecoin only and in addition, punters can operate with Visa, Mastercard, Neteller, P2P transfers, and others.

    BetOnline’s website accommodates a racebook, sportsbook, casino, poker, and esport sections, so you cannot get bored while spending your time on the platform. As regards horse racing, at the time of writing, the bookie features events conducted in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, South Africa, and Sweden. Keep in mind that the exact race’s availability is subject to change, so check the section each time you go to the website.

    Apart from the promotions available to all users of BetOnline, there are two that are specifically designed for horse racing lovers. The first incentive is daily rebates whose percentage depends on whether wagers have been placed online or by phone. The other perk is a risk-free bet in case your first wager with BetOnline’s racebook is unsuccessful.

  9. BetUSR

    BetUSR logo
    Bet Now Review
    Licenses
    Curacao
    Min Deposit
    • Bitcoin - $20• P2P - $100
    Min Withdrawal
    • Bitcoin - $25• Bank Wire- $100
    Withdrawal Time
    • Bank Wire - 5 to 7days• Bitcoin - 48 hours
    Deposit Methods
    Visa logoMastercard logoBank Transfer logoBitcoin logoPlayer/Person-to-Person Transfer logoLitecoin logoMoneyGram logoEthereum logoAmerican Express logoTether logoBitcoin Cash logoSolana logoDogecoin logoBinance Coin logoShiba Inu logoCardano  logo
    Sponsorships
    Tramaine Williams at 2020 WBO 122lb World Championship • Jamel Herring in his 2021 fight vs. Carl Frampton
    Contact Details
    Live Chat: Yes Phone: 1-844-444-BUSR(2877) Email: support@busr.com
    Facebook profileX profileInstagram profile
    • Mobile-friendly betting platform
    • US, Canadian, and international horse races
    • Individual racebook welcome bonus
    • Cryptocurrencies accepted
    • Award-winning customer support
    • Bettors from 50 US states

    BUSR is considered a betting operator that serves primarily the US market but it actually welcomes clients from nearly every part of the world. A closer look at the brand’s portfolio shows a surprisingly abundant selection of sports as the soccer category would be the envy of a number of popular European online bookmakers. Among the sports featured on BUSR’s website, you can find American football, basketball, ice hockey, baseball, and many others, however, its flagman is undoubtedly the racebook.

    BUSR offers a good mix of large and small race tracks located in North America, Europe, Australia, Asia, and Africa. Unlike other international bookies that display only the events they are currently accepting wagers for, BUSR has a separate section that lists all featured tracks with a short description for each of them. The interface of the racebook is identical to the one of Xbet as is the availability of betting markets and stake limits.

    The fans of online betting on horses who decide to place their wagers via BUSR will face a whole selection of exclusive Racebook bonuses. They begin with New Member Cash Bonus and continue with generous reload and rebate promotions. The financial expression of these offers varies according to the type of bet, so read the relevant T&Cs before opting in.

Grand National Betting Overview

The Grand National is not only the most prestigious horse racing event in Europe but also the one with the biggest prize fund in the steeplechase sector – £1,000,000. Just over half of that amount goes to the winning horse owner and there is enough left over to reward even the 10th place finisher. Financial information is also quite impressive in terms of online sports betting. In 2021, wagering activity hit a record with stakes totaling over $137,000,000 within the UK alone.

Grand National History Highlights

Grand National HistoryThe beginning of the race was set in 1839 at Aintree Racecourse, Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, Merseyside, right next to Liverpool, England. Since then, the handicap steeplechase has been held annually over a distance of about 6.9km (4 miles 514 yards). In the modern edition of the race, 40 horses need to pass two laps jumping over 30 fences in each of them before crossing the finish line.

Unlike other prominent high-prized horse races, the Grand National is an event where there is a chance for the winner to be a horse coached by a small-time trainer and history has shown this more than once. Such a competitor was the only three-time champion, Red Rum, but we will tell you about him a little further down in our article. Here is one recent example. Until 2017, few horse racing fans had heard of Deborah Thompson and Belinda McClung. The two ladies were not known to many punters either, but that changed dramatically when it was their horse One For Arthur that won the Grand National with odds of 14-to-1.

Red Rum, The Legendary Steeplechaser

Red Rum, The Legendary SteeplechaserIn every major sporting event, there is at least one prominent competitor whose performance through the years has earned him the status of an icon and has become a landmark in the tournament or race history. Such great athletes are Rafael Nadal in Roland Garros, Michael Schumacher in F1, and Michael Jordan in the NBA. As for the Grand National, for more than 45 years no one has managed to even come close to Red Rum’s achievement, namely three titles, in 1973, 1974, and 1977.

Red Rum is the perfect evidence of how important is the role of trainers in the world of horse racing. Originally trained for flat track races, at the age of 7, Red Rum was considered a horse without special abilities and prospects for high-level performance in the future. However, in 1972 something made the small-time trainer Ginger McCain buy Red Rum and start looking after him in run-down stables.

Just a year later, the “crippled” horse began its journey to glory with a surprising win at the Aintree Racecourse. In 1974, with 11-to-1 odds of winning, Red Rum conquered his second title. After two consecutive second places and already at the age of 12, according to bookmakers, the horse had little chance to win the Grand National in 1977. Red Rum not only did finish as the winner, but he did so by a daunting lead and once again disproved all those who underestimated him. After retirement in 1978, the horse became a national celebrity and a merchandising inspiration that brought considerable revenue to its owners. In 1995, when Red Rum died, he was buried in close proximity to the winning post of the Aintree Racecourse – “no higher on Earth possible”.

Another notable horse that has left a mark on the Grand National history is the first back-to-back winner Abd El Kader (1850 and 1851). In 1850, bookmakers did not even give a starting price for the Little Ab and its jockey and they were within the ‘any price these others’ category.

How To Place a Bet on The Grand National

How To Place a BetGiven the strong competitiveness of the online sports betting industry, nowadays bookmakers use different means to stand out from the crowd and draw the attention of punters. These include unique features, tempting promotions, and easy-to-use betting platforms. However, when it comes to wagering on a horse race, the procedure is quite similar across most sportsbooks and includes the following steps:

  1. Setting up an account/logging in

    Once you choose an online bookmaker, go to its main website and find the button that invites you to register or log in. It is usually located in the top right corner of your screen. After pressing it, you will be asked to enter some personal details, with the minimum being names, country of origin, and email. The stricter the regulation of the platform, the more detailed data you will be required to provide. You may need to enter a phone number, attach a copy of an ID, etc. We know that longer account verification procedures can be annoying, but they guarantee a high level of security for your funds and sensitive information, so it’s better to stick with such a sportsbook.

  2. Find the available horse racing events

    Depending on the approach applied, bookies put horse races either in the A-to-Z list of their betting sites and mobile applications or in an individual section called Racebook, Horses, Horse Racing, etc. If at first glance you do not spot the Grand National, this does not mean it is not featured by the sportsbook. Some platforms display only the events currently available for betting while others distribute the races in several subsections. If you are unsure what the exact situation is, just contact customer support and one of its representatives will assist you.

  3. Choose the exact Grand National betting market

    The set of provided horse racing bet types greatly differs not only among online bookmakers but among the different events too. Prestigious races like the Grand National which have large prize funds and are held once a year presuppose the existence of a greater variety. There may be special wagers on issues such as First Fence Fallers, Winning Distance, and others. If you intend to place a particular bet, check beforehand if it is available on the respective platform.

  4. Add your selection to the bet slip

    Once you have made your decision, click on the respective odds and the selection will be immediately added to your online bet slip. Enter the amount you wish to stake and the system will automatically calculate your potential payout.

    As explained above, horse racing betting odds are not always fixed, especially when it comes to future events. If this is the case with your Grand National wager and you do not want to proceed in the event that odds become less favorable, look for the option “Accept All Odds Movements” and uncheck it. Depending on the bookie’s policy, there may be options such as “Accept Higher Odds Only” and “Accept No Odds Movements”, which give you a large enough choice.

  5. Place your bet

    Carefully go through the information in the bet slip and if everything looks OK, confirm your wager. That is it, all you have to do now is wait for the race to end and see if your prediction related to the Grand National horse race has been correct.

Grand National Betting Tips

Grand National Betting TipsThe Grand National is undoubtedly one of the most talked about events in the world of horse racing and at the same time, one of the most difficult to predict. Suffice it is to say that in 2022, out of 40 horses that started, as many as 25 dropped out in the course of the race. One of them was even the 2021 winner Minella Times ridden by Rachael Blackmore, the first female jockey to win this steeplechase. Here are three essential factors to keep in mind when betting on the Grand National:

  1. Top weight carriers hardly ever win the race. The Grand National handicappers determine what weight must be carried by each participant based on its current ranking. This means that the best horses have to jump with the heaviest load and in a grueling race like the one at Aintree Racecourse, this is a very stiff test of stamina, sometimes, even too stiff. In 2021, Tiger Roll had a chance to become the second horse after Red Rum to become a three-time champion but his owner pulled him out of the race calling the rating “absurd and unfair”.
  2. Horses aged 9-12 are considered most fit for the Grand National. The explosiveness and speed of the young horse may be an advantage on the flat race course but this does not apply to sheer-sized fields with high fences like the Grand National. For such events, experience, strength, and stamina are required. When choosing which entrant to place your bet on, we advise you to first exclude the last fifteen horses due to their too low ranking and filter the others in terms of age.
  3. The current condition of the Aintree Racecourse is important. If you have done your homework properly, you know that certain competitors perform better on a softer cut in the ground while others prefer firm or good ground. A look at the weather forecast in the days preceding the event may give you a useful hint, so do not skip this step.

Grand National FAQ

  1. What are the longest odds of Grand National champions?

    As mentioned in our article, the Grand National is one of those famous horse races that gives winning chances even to entrants without big-budget companies behind their back. The highest-paying underdogs that have conquered the title are Tipperary Tim (1928), Gregalach (1929), Caughoo (1947), Foinavon (1967), and Mon Mome (2009) all with 100-to-1 odds of winning. The achievements are recorded in the Guinness Book of Records.

  2. How much did the biggest bet win in the Grand National worth?

    In 2003, Monty’s Pass won the Grand National and the happiest of this fact is its owner Mike Futter. Not only did he take his part of the prize fund but also netted well over £1 million from multiple individual bets.

  3. What is the average time for winning the Grand National?

    The race takes approximately 10 minutes with the slowest and fastest times being quite wide apart. In 1839, Lottery needed 14:53 minutes to cross the finish line while the time record-holder Mr Frisk conquered his competitors for 8:47.80 minutes. It is worth mentioning that in 2013 the race track was shortened by a little over 300m but the record still stands.

  4. Is it a good strategy to bet on the favorite to win the Grand National?

    History has shown that the horse considered favorite to win the race at Aintree Racecourse has managed to do so in only 17% of the events after 1984 when the size of the field was limited to 40.

  5. Who is the most successful jockey in the history of the Grand National?

    With five victories within the period between 1856 and 1870, George Stevens is above all jockeys who have ever competed at Aintree Racecourse. However, those times are quite distant, so we took a look at modern times. Ruby Walsh, Leighton Aspell, and Davy Russell (on Tiger Roll) are three talented jockeys who are two-time champions.

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