The Grand National is one of the top sporting events of the year and the highlight of the jump racing season. It is held in April annually at the Aintree racecourse in Liverpool and offers the biggest prize pool among all horse races in Europe.
Betting-wise, it hides some fantastic opportunities. The maximum field currently has 34 horses instead of the usual 40. Still, there are many horses, and the favorites are paid at great prices. However, due to the high level of competition, we have seen some major upsets in the past.
This is why our Grand National betting tips consider that, alongside several other aspects like past trends and current form. How can the racecourse affect your betting moves? Is backing underdogs more worth your while? Read our full preview to find out.
Grand National 2025 Betting Tips
Most horse bookmakers will release odds on the race way ahead of time. If you fancy higher prices, then placing a wager ante-post, especially before the weigh-in, is undoubtedly profitable, albeit risky.
On the other hand, with so many horses taking part in the race, you are probably after some cover for your bets. This is why the each/way option is always great, even though it cuts your odds. Without further ado, we will present you with our final Grand National betting tips that came up after in-depth research on all horses.
Antepost Grand National Tips
Generally, you would look no further than last year's winner, I Am Maximus. The horse trained by WP Mullins carries an incredible form into the race. However, bookies are suggesting a more likely winner in Intensity Raffles and similar odds to strong contenders Iroko, Stumptown, and Hewick.
So many strong contenders imply that a winner bet is risky, and you might as well look for higher odds. Since the Grand National bookmakers have not caught on in terms of prices, you can grab value bets on the less favorite dark horses like Nick Rockett, Vanillier, and Minella Cocooner. We will back the defending with our pick:
⏩ I Am Maximus to win the Grand National NRNB at 9.00
Each Way Grand National Tips
The horse Nick Rockett seems destined to grab a top-four spot despite the presence of many competitors who made good results in Cheltenham, or are coming in fresh to the Grand National. We will bet on the horse as it seems the most likely outcome with juicy odds:
⏩ Nick Rockett to Win Each Way 1/4 Places 1-2-3-4 at 17.00
Other Grand National Tips
Bookmakers like 1xbet are giving lines on special bets like the weight of the winning horse or the trainer. We noticed that the odds for any UK horse is 2.75, while individual trainers like Willie Mullins have 4.00. We will choose the latter, given the trainer's impeccable record and sheer number of competing horses.
⏩ Horse Trained by Willie Mullins to win the Grand National at 4.00
Where to Bet on the Grand National
Most online sportsbooks pay close attention to the race, as you can imagine. Even if you have decided which horses to back, you may be wondering where to bet on the Grand National. Underneath, you can find a full list of bookmakers that offer the highest odds, pay the most places, and provide a wide range of markets.
Do Alternative Markets Hold Any Value?
Our betting tips for the Grand National mainly revolve around the winning horse. However, a number of bookies also offer additional markets that can give some diversity to your strategies. Let’s take a closer look at the more common ones:
Match betting: This type of wager calls you to choose between two horses, which will end up in a better place. Your pick does not have to win; just past the post before the opponent. The horses usually have close odds. For example, you might have to pick between Intense Raffles, and I Am Maximus. Both have 8/1 (9.00) SP to win the race.
Bet w/o the Favourite: In races where one horse is a heavy favorite, some bookmakers eliminate it and adjust the odds on all remaining runners. However, with 40 horses running, even the favorites have a hard time. This is why each way betting prevails in our Grand National tips.
Forecast & Tricast Bets: If you fancy huge winnings, then this is the bet for you. In forecasts, you have to pick the horses that will finish 1st and 2nd and in tricasts, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. You can place small forecasts and tricasts, though, for a chance to win big. For instance, if you bet on I Am Maximus to win at 9.00, Intense Raffles to finish second at 17.00, and Iroko to finish third at 26.00, you will win £40,000 from a £10 bet.
Pool Bets: Tote or pool bets differ from the traditional fixed-odds wagers. Essentially, all bets that players place are combined in a pool and, depending on the outcome and stakes, are divided among the winners. The pool bets require you to pick the winning runners from a specific number of races. You can win very high profits with small stakes, as has happened numerous times.
Grand National Betting Preview
Besides the final picks on the race or any alternative bets you can place, several other parameters can affect how to bet on horse racing online. Our preview would not be complete without looking at aspects like the racecourse, past trends that have proven winners, or qualifying races that might indicate how a horse will do.
Does the Racecourse Affect our Tips?
The National Course at Aintree is triangular with 16 fences, 14 of which are jumped twice. The total distance of the race is 4 miles and 2,5 furlongs, and it is known for having a 494-yard run-in from the final fence, which is one of the biggest ones worldwide.
Most of the hurdles differ from the ones in other jump races. They are long and covered in spruce, some of them holding historical meaning. For example, Becher’s Brook (6th and 22nd) landing side is lower than normal, and horses sometimes have trouble continuing their momentum.
On the other hand, some experienced horse bettors claim that the race is won at the Canal Turn. Standing at 5ft tall, it is the most challenging fence, where runners need to turn immediately after landing. To summarise, you need to evaluate horses based on landing and turning ability. Several hurdles test those two attributes a lot.
Are There Any Trends I can Follow
Like most of the most significant events in the sports betting calendar, the race undergoes thorough analysis by experts. This is why several Grand National trends have emerged over the years. Even though no stat will guarantee a winner, you can look at past results and unlock a pattern. Let’s check them out:
⏩ 10 out of 11 last winners were aged 8 or older (only one 10+ old).
⏩ Only 3 out of the last 12 horses won carrying 11 stones 3 pounds+.
⏩ 16 out of 18 past winners were officially rated 137+ and had run in the last 50 days.
⏩ All winners in the last 20 years had won a 3-mile+ race before.
⏩ 3 out of the last 5 winners were bred in Irish stables.
Do Bookmakers Offer Bonuses on the Race?
Of course. You will hardly find any horse racing bookmakers who do not pay close attention to the Grand National. Whether you are a new or existing player, you can qualify for an array of promotions such as Sign-Up Offers, Free Bets, Faller Insurances, Enhanced Odds, and more. You can find the best ones right below.
Yes. After the cancellation of the event in 2020 due to COVID-19, the race normally took place the following year. In 2025, it is scheduled for the 5th of April (Saturday) at 4.00 pm.
The most prestigious Nationa Hunt race of the horse calendar year takes place at the Aintree racecourse near Liverpool. It is an annual event held every year in April and is the highlight of the jump racing season.
The festival spans over three days. However, the race is 4 miles and 2,5 furlongs long and is usually run between 9 and 11 minutes depending on the pace. The record was set by Mr Frisk in 1990 and is 8 minutes 47.8 seconds.
Besides the winner or each/way, you have quite a few other markets that you can bet on the race. Among the most intriguing ones, you can find forecasts, tricasts, match betting, betting without the favourite, and pool bets.
The total prize pool of the Royal Ascot is considerably higher compared to the Grand National. Not only that but there are more races throughout the festival. Check our guide to view the latest Royal Ascot Betting Tips.
The race fields 34 horses, so predicting the winner is a challenge. Nevertheless, there are a few runners that stand out. This year, I Am Maximus andIntensity Raffles are both 8/1 (9.00) favourites to win the race.
In 2024, I Am Maximus came out on top. The winning horse is trained by Willie Mullins.
The prize pool is the highest among all horse races in Europe, with £1,000,000 shared. In 2024, the winner receive £561,300 and the second-place finisher £211,100.
The record in participation was set in 1929, with 66 horses running. Today, the maximum field is capped at 34. Depending on the betting site, a specific number of places is paid on the Grand national.