The biggest UK horse race of the year gets underway at Aintree on Saturday April 15th, 2023.
First run in 1839, the Grand National is the most prestigious and recognisable National Hunt horse race on the UK racing calendar.
Held at the iconic Aintree Racecourse on Merseyside, the Grand National is seen as the ultimate test in horse stamina and staying power.
The Grand National is the flagship race of the Aintree Festival, a three-day event which hosts a plethora of Grade 1 jump races in April every year.
It is held as the penultimate race of the Festival on the Saturday afternoon, the Grand National brings in stellar crowds and now carries a whopping £1 million prize pot for the winning horse and connections.
One of the most notorious aspects of the Grand National is the challenging course at Aintree. Featuring 30 large fences, including the infamous Becher's Brook and the Canal Turn, which require horses to jump at an angle, the Grand National is not only a test of speed and agility but also of endurance and bravery.
The Grand National is not only significant because of the race's unique and challenging nature, but also because of its cultural significance. The event attracts millions of viewers worldwide and is deeply ingrained in British and Irish culture.
It has produced many legendary horses, jockeys, and trainers over the years and has created numerous heartwarming stories of triumph and tragedy.
Raced over 4 miles and 514 yards, it is one of the longest horse races on the global calendar and with almost 200 years of history and heritage behind it, the Grand National brings the UK to a standstill every year.
Qualifying for the Grand National is a long and complex process that requires a horse to meet a strict set of criteria. As the Grand National is a handicap race, it means that the weight each horse carries is determined by its official rating.
In order to be eligible to run in the Grand National, a horse must have a rating of at least 125 or higher. This rating is determined by a horse's performance in previous races, with higher ratings given to horses that have won or placed in high-profile events.
Once a horse has achieved the required rating, it must then be entered into the race by its owner or trainer. The entry process usually opens in January and remains open until late February or early March, depending on the year.
Owners and trainers must pay a fee to enter their horse into the race, which varies depending on the time of entry and the age of the horse.
The final field for the Grand National is determined by a handicapping system that takes into account the weight each horse will carry and the number of runners in the race. The official handicapper for the Grand National is responsible for allocating the weights for each horse, with the aim of creating a level playing field and giving each horse an equal chance of winning.
The weights are usually announced in February, and the final field of 40 runners is confirmed in early April, a few days before the race.
In addition to meeting the rating and entry requirements, horses must also be at least seven years old to compete in the Grand National. They must also have competed in at least three steeplechase races and have completed at least one race over a distance of three miles or more.
All of this criteria is in place to ensure that horses are experienced and capable of handling the famously challenging course at Aintree.
The Aintree Festival is one of the most iconic horse racing meetings on the UK and Irish calendar and whilst the Grand National naturally gets plenty of media attention, there are plenty of other big races that take place on Merseyside over the three days of racing.
With no fewer than 11 Grade 1 races across the three days of action in Liverpool, the Grand National meeting truly is the elite offering in National Hunt racing and with over 150,000 fans expected to in attendance in 2023.
All jockeys, trainers, owners, and punters are looking to get their Aintree weekend’s off to the best possible start and Opening Day on Thursday is packed with excellent betting options for bettors.
Four Grade 1 races open up the card, with The Manifesto Novices’ Steeple Chase, The Jewson Anniversary 4-y-o Juvenile Hurdle, The Aintree Bowl Steeple Chase, and the William Hill Aintree Hurdle getting the festival well and truly underway.
All of which takes place before the flagship race of the day, The Foxhunters’ Open Steeple Chase, which is often a breeding ground for future Grand National winners.
Moving on to Friday, there is no letup in the high-octane action with another 4 Grade 1 races on the card at Aintree.
Ladies Day at Aintree is well known for being a fashion hub with as much attention generated off the course by the outfits people are wearing as it is on the racetrack.
The Mildmay Novices’ Steeple Chase gets the action underway before
the Top Novices’ Hurdle, the Marsh Steeple Chase and the main event of the day, the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle – all of which contribute to another incredible day of racing in Liverpool.
For as impressive as the cards are on Thursday and Friday, there can be no doubt that Grand National Day is the one that every horse racing punter and fan has been waiting for.
Three more Grade 1 races make up the card in 2023 on Saturday, with the Maghull Novices’ Steeple Chase, the Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle and the Liverpool Hurdle all lined up before the Grand National.
With the Grand National starting at 5.15pm, the UK and the wider racing world comes to a standstill to see which horse will etch their name into racing folklore.
With almost 200 years of racing history at the Grand National, there are plenty of famous horses, owners, jockeys, and trainers that have tasted success at Aintree.
No Grand National account is complete without the mention of Red Rum, the only horse to win the Grand National on three occasions – 1973, 1974 & 1977.
Trained by Ginger McCain, Red Rum's incredible performances in the Grand National helped him become a household name, and he is still remembered as one of the greatest racehorses of all time.
Another iconic Grand National winner is the legendary Golden Miller, who won the race in 1934 and went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup five times in a row, a feat that is yet to be matched.
More recently, Tiger Roll, who won back-to-back races in 2018 and 2019 for trainer Gordon Elliott and jockey Davy Russell, has cemented his name as one of the greatest racehorses of his generation with his Grand National performances.
A huge part of the enduring appeal the Grand National enjoys is the incredible storylines and narratives it serves up for all associated with the sport of racing.
From Rule the World’s emotional triumph in 2016, less than 12 months after suffering a potentially career ending injury, though to 100/1 shot Foinavon’s stunning win in 1967, profiting from a remarkable pile-up of horses to triumph at a canter.
The jockeys who ride the Grand National winners are also deserving of recognition, as they play a critical role in guiding their horses to victory.
Many of the most successful jockeys in Grand National history have become household names, including Ruby Walsh, who won the race twice with Papillon in 2000 and Hedgehunter in 2005.
Other notable jockeys include George Stevens, who won the race five times in the mid-1800s, and Tony McCoy, who won with Don't Push It in 2010.
Owners and trainers are also key players in the world of Grand National racing, as they are responsible for selecting and preparing their horses for the race.
Some of the most successful owners and trainers in Grand National history include Vincent O'Brien, who trained three winners in the 1950s and 60s, and Fred Rimell, who trained four winners between 1956 and 1976.
Whilst the Grand National is one of the most famous horse races in the world, the course at Aintree is just as iconic as the event itself.
Spanning a distance of 4 miles and 514 yards, the course is notorious for its challenging obstacles, with a total of 30 fences that horses and jockeys must navigate.
Each fence has its own name and character, with some of the most famous hurdles named after infamous horses to have raced the contest previously or the surrounding areas around Aintree.
Here are some of the most notorious fences horses face during the Grand National:
Becher’s Brook - Named after Captain Martin Becher, who fell into the brook when he rode over the fence in the early days of the race, Becher's Brook has a steep 6-foot drop on the landing side, making it one of the most daunting obstacles in the race.
The Chair - One of the most intimidating fences on the Aintree Grand National course, The Chair is the tallest fence on the course. Standing at 5 feet 3 inches tall, it is preceded by a 6-foot-wide ditch making it one of the challenging fences in the world.
The Chair was named after a large, wooden chair that used to be located near the fence, which was used by the judge to observe the race.
Canal Turn – The unique nature of the Canal Turn makes it one of the most challenging fences at Aintree. Named after the nearby Leeds and Liverpool Canal, which the horses must turn sharply after jumping the fence, the Canal Turn is particularly difficult because it requires horses to make a sharp 90-degree turn after landing.
In addition, the Canal Turn fence is also positioned at a tricky angle, meaning that horses must jump the fence diagonally to make the turn.
The magnitude of the Grand National is best explained by the astronomical betting sums associated with the race.
Whilst the race brings the UK and Ireland to a standstill annually in April, millions of people across the globe place bets on the outcome of the race.
One of the nuances about Grand National betting is the huge amount of punters who bet on the Grand National ante-post markets, whilst others looks to wait until the day of the race itself when Grand National betting.
As of 2022, it was estimated that over £250 million pounds was bet by the general public on the Grand National, making it a huge event for bookmakers and punters alike.
The increase in market footfall in the world of Grand National betting means that the winner and each-way betting markets are generally the most popular options amongst punters.
That said, forecasts and placing bets are also frequently placed on Grand National betting markets, with the online betting sphere opening up the industry to rookie and hardened punters.
With 40 runners in the Grand National every year, inevitably there have been plenty of shocks and outside shots that have crossed the line first.
Odds of 100/1 remain the longest at which the Grand National has been won, with the following 5 horses having achieved the feat:
As mentioned, the Grand National is the most bet on horse race in the UK and Ireland and consequently, the increase in punters can manipulate the markets somewhat.
Having an understanding of how to bet on the Grand National online is essential for all levels of player, regardless of their Grand National betting aspirations.
Here’s a quick rundown of how to bet on the Grand National online:
Every UK and Irish bookmaker is vying for custom when it comes to Grand National betting.
Here are some of the best Grand National Ireland bookmakers on the market:
With so much scrutiny on the race each year, the Grand National is one of the most popular and exciting horse racing events in the world, and it offers a wide range of betting markets for punters to choose from.
Here are some of the most prominent Grand National betting markets:
The most popular and straightforward market on the Grand National is the to win market.
All punters need to do is select which horse will win the race and if it comes good, they can enjoy the profits coming their way. However, the 40 horses and 30 fences in the Grand National making picking a winner a sometimes-tricky task.
Having a safety net is always advised in any horse racing betting market and in a race such as the Grand National, each way betting is a good choice for punters who want to have a better chance of winning but are willing to sacrifice some potential profits.
An each way bet is effectively two punts: one on the horse to win, and one on the horse to finish in the places.
Whilst the odds on each-way bets are lower than the straight win market, the chances of seeing a return on a Grand National bet are higher.
In a similar vein, the place market is a straight bet on a given horse to finish in the places. Each Grand National bookmaker will pay out to a different number of places, depending on their betting strategy.
But should a chosen horse finish in the places, then the Grand National bet will come in.
A recent development in the Grand National betting sphere, live betting has become one of the most popular offerings amongst bookmakers and punters.
With over 4 miles to run in the race, there are plenty of ebbs and flows along the way and Grand National punters can look for niche offerings as the race unfolds at Aintree.
The international appeal of the Grand National makes it a huge part of every bookmaker’s offering and there are plenty of options when it comes to online betting on the Grand National.
Here are some of the best options when it comes to Grand National Betting in Ireland:
It's important to note that there are many other reputable betting sites available in Ireland, and it's always a good idea to do the research and compare all the odds and features on the market before Grand National betting.
Many bookmakers tailor their horse racing offerings and packages around the Grand National, due to the fact it is the biggest horse race in the UK and Ireland.
Here are some of the best Grand National betting offers on the market:
Best Odds Guaranteed – With so many bookmakers in contention when it comes to Grand National betting and 40 horses in the field to bet on, finding the best Grand National odds is never an easy task.
Consequently, many bookmakers offer up Best Odds Guaranteed promotions on Grand National bets, enabling players to place a bet on a particular horse, safe in the knowledge that they are betting with the best odds available to them.
Some bookmakers will offer the best odds when paying out, whilst others will serve it up as part of the initial odds but either way, if a player gets a Grand National win, they won’t lose out with best odds guaranteed.
Extra places on each way betting – The volatility of betting on the Grand National means that successfully selecting a winner out of the 40-strong field is no easy task.
Consequently, many UK and Irish Grand National bookmakers offer to pay out on additional places beyond the standard top four finishers, giving bettors a better chance of winning their bets. For example, instead of paying out on the top four finishers, bookmakers may offer to pay out on the top five or six finishers at Aintree.
Money back if a horse finishes second to the starting price winner – Whilst being the favourite in the Grand National is seldom a guarantee of success, any horse that goes off as favourite in any given race is backed with good reason.
As a result, many UK and Irish horse racing bookmakers have looked to incentivise punters into betting, with the money back if a horse finishes second to the starting price winner promotion.
The nuts and bolts of the offer are simplistic and perhaps aren’t too applicable for some Grand National bets but it is a good option for punters who are looking to keep their bank balance ticking over.
UK and Irish bookmakers are all too aware of the significance of the Grand National in the wider sporting calendar and as a result, many offers and promotions are designed to coincide with the big race at Aintree.
Many sportsbooks give new and existing customers Grand National free bets and with plenty of media attention on the action from Merseyside, punters generally feel more obliged to have a Grand National bet.
Here are some of the best Grand National free bet offers and promotions:
Matched bets – One of the simpler Grand National betting offerings, a matched bet is where a bookmaker matches the initial bet placed, with a free bet of the same value.
For example, if a player place a £10 bet on the Grand National, the bookmaker will give them a £10 free bet to use on another race.
Risk free bets – As the name suggests, risk-free Grand National betting gives punters a free hit on the most unpredictable horse race on the planet.
If a staked bet doesn’t come in, the bookmaker will refund it as a free bet token to be used on another market.
No deposit Grand National bets - Some bookmakers may offer free bets without requiring a player to even make a deposit.
These are typically smaller free bets and tend to be offered to existing customers, but they can still be a good way to bet on the Grand National.
Money back offers – Finishing in the places of the Grand National is a remarkable achievement and there are plenty of Grand National money back offers to punters to exploit. Most sportsbooks offer players their money back as a free bet, if their choice places but doesn’t manage to win the Grand National.
Every bookmaker worth their salt is offering special offers and promotions to celebrate the Grand National in 2023.
Finding a bookmaker that offers free bet promotions, however, is never an easy task, especially with so much attention and scrutiny on the Grand National at Aintree.
Here are some of the top Grand National Free Bet Bookmakers in 2023:
Betting apps have become part of the fabric for sports bookmakers and being able to bet on key events such as the Grand National is essential for punters on the move.
Whilst not all odds and features are transferable to app betting, improvements are being made across the board as each app looks to broaden its offering to its players.
Here are some of the best apps for betting on the Grand National:
Watching and betting on the Grand National as the action unfolds is huge business and every bookmaker and bettor is desperate to get in on the action.
Being able to live stream the race is dependent upon the broadcasting rights in each specific country, with the race shown in up to 100 different nations worldwide.
Live streaming and horse racing betting has become huge business in recent times and Grand National live betting has also captured the hearts and minds of many punters.
The unique nature of the race at Aintree means that many Grand National horses are eliminated during the race, adding to the number of live betting opportunities for players.
Here are some of the best Grand National Ireland live streaming betting sites:
All of the above bookmakers allow players to live stream all of the action from the Aintree Festival, provided they have placed a bet on a race, with minimum stake rules differing between all of the bookmakers.
Live streaming the Grand National in Ireland through a live Grand National betting site is a shrewd move for punters and it is not one that is available with many UK based bookmakers, due to the stringent broadcasting rights surrounding the Grand National.
Every bookmaker on the above list offers a range of odds and markets associated with the Grand National and being able to bet and watch the action unfold, is a huge draw for all Grand National punters.
The notion of a Best Odds Guaranteed promotion isn’t a new one, with every bookmaker looking to encourage players to bet with them, based on the odds they offer on every market.
However, in a race as financially volatile as the Grand National, securing the very best odds available is key and there are some bookmakers that offer Grand National Best Odds Guaranteed promotions.
The workings of a Best Odds Guaranteed offer is simple. It is a promotion offered by some bookmakers that ensures that customers receive the best possible price on their bets.
If the Starting Price (SP) of a horse is higher than the price a player had when placing their bet, the bookmaker will pay out at the higher SP. This means that punters can always be sure that they are getting the best possible value on their Grand National bets.
With 40 horses in the race and many bookmakers paying out to as low as 6th place, securing the very best odds when Grand National betting is key and plenty of bookmakers assist with this.
Here are some Irish bookmakers that offer Best Odds Guaranteed on the 2023 Grand National:
Whilst having Best Odds Guaranteed on any bet is a huge positive, it is particularly useful when punting on the Grand National.
The bookmakers that offer Best Odds Guaranteed can change regularly so it's always a good idea to check with each Grand National bookmaker directly for the most up-to-date information on their promotions and offers.
Betting on the Grand National can be a thrilling and potentially lucrative experience, but it's important to approach it with a solid strategy in order to increase any chances of success.
Here are some tips to help punters along the way when Grand National betting:
A sense of realism is also needed when Grand National betting, with 40 horses in the race, it is not an easy one to pick a winner from.
Each way betting can be a great way of keeping a bank balance ticking over and can negate any losses if a pick gets pipped on the line at Aintree.
It's also important to take breaks and not let emotions cloud judgment when placing bets, especially on a day as frenetic as Grand National day at Aintree.
The futures or ante-post market is a popular way to bet on the Grand National in advance of the race.
This market allows punters to place bets on horses that have yet to be confirmed for the race, usually several weeks or even months in advance. The advantage of betting in the ante-post market is that the odds can be more generous than in the days leading up to the race when the field has been finalised.
Several Irish bookmakers offer ante-post betting on the Grand National, including the likes of Bet365, William Hill, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, Betway and Boylesports.
With so much scrutiny on the Grand National, odds can be accessed months in advance of the race in April and players can access the ante-post market on these sites by navigating to the Grand National section of their sportsbook and looking for the futures or ante-post market.
The benefit of Grand National betting through the ante-post market is that it allows punters to get in early and potentially secure better odds on their Grand National bets. However, it's important to keep in mind that ante-post bets are generally non-refundable if a chosen horse doesn't end up running in the race.
Because the final field for the Grand National isn't confirmed until a few days before the race and horses can withdraw due to injury or other reasons, ante-post betting certainly carries a sense of risk, but it can be lucrative if a chosen horse gets over the line at Aintree.
Sources such as Oddschecker are invaluable for punters, as they enable players to keep updated with the latest Grand National betting odds and offers, by comparing all of the biggest UK and Irish bookmakers on the market.
Anticipation is building for the 2023 Grand National at Aintree, as the National Hunt calendar comes to a thrilling end with the Grand National on Saturday 15th April.
All of the biggest trainers, owners and jockeys will be jostling for position with the Grand National remaining the biggest race on the calendar in terms of prize money and prestige.
Here are some of the key ante-post runners and riders for the 2023 Grand National:
With 40 horses in the race, there are plenty of horses in with a shot and the 2023 Grand National promises to be another fascinating race.
Having been raced at Aintree for the best part of 200 years, the Grand National remains one of the most illustrious horse races on the planet.
Consequently, there are plenty of records and statistics from the race that offer a fascinating insight into how the Grand National has been shaped over the years.
Here are some Grand National statistics:
Longest Odds – Foinavon – 100/1 - The horse with the longest odds to win the Grand National was Foinavon, who won the race in 1967 at odds of 100/1.
Foinavon's victory was due in part to a massive pile-up at the 23rd fence, which allowed him to jump clear and maintain a lead to the finish line. Foinavon was ridden by John Buckingham and trained by John Kempton, and his unlikely victory has since become one of the most famous moments in Grand National history.
Few races can compare to the Grand National in terms of notoriety, but the Cheltenham Gold Cup certainly holds its own on the UK horse racing calendar and both races and their accompanying festivals attract huge crowds and television audiences each year.
While the two races are quite different in nature, there are some similarities between them that make them both popular with racing fans.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is held each year in March at the Cheltenham racecourse in Gloucestershire, while the Grand National is held in April at the Aintree racecourse in Liverpool.
Both venues have a long history of hosting top-class horse racing events, and both attract large crowds of spectators each year. Over 150,000 fans were in attendance at each festival in 2022, with in excess of 70,000 through both respective gates on Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National day.
In addition to the live attendance figures, both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National are also hugely popular with television audiences.
The Grand National is broadcast on national television in the UK and is watched by millions of people around the world, while the Cheltenham Gold Cup is also broadcast on TV in the UK and beyond and attracts a significant viewership.
On the track, winning both the Grand National and the Cheltenham Gold Cup is one of the biggest accolades in racing and there are a handful of horses that have achieved this feat:
Such is the prestige of the Grand National in British and Irish racing terms, that there are plenty of other Grand National races that look to compliment the race on the calendar.
Irish Grand National - The Irish Grand National is one of the biggest races in Ireland and it is held on Easter Monday at Fairyhouse Racecourse. First run back in 1870, the race is similar to the Grand National in that it is a handicap race over a distance of around 3 miles and 5 furlongs, with horses jumping over a variety of fences and hurdles.
However, there are some differences in the race conditions, including the weight carried by each horse and the number of obstacles to be jumped. Despite these differences, the Irish Grand National is closely linked to the English Grand National, with many of the same horses and jockeys competing in both races.
Welsh Grand National - Another important race in the National Hunt calendar is the Welsh Grand National, which is held annually at Chepstow Racecourse. The race has been run since 1895 and is a handicap event over a distance of around 3 miles and 6 furlongs.
Variety of fences and hurdles is what makes the Welsh Grand National one of the most exciting races on the schedule and the Welsh Grand National is often seen as a warm-up for the Grand National in April, with many horses using the race to prepare for the bigger event at Aintree.
Scottish Grand National – As the most prestigious National Hunt race in Scotland, the Scottish Grand National is held annually at Ayr Racecourse. The race has been run since 1858 and is perhaps the closest to the Grand National at Aintree in terms of format and conditions. With the links between the Scottish Grand National and Aintree running true on the course, it remains similar in the betting ring too.
Like the other Grand National races, the Scottish Grand National attracts a high level of interest from bookmakers, with many offering specials and promotions for customers.
Betting on the Grand National can be done with all major UK and Irish bookmakers, with ante-post and in-play Grand National betting markets available to all levels of punter.
The 2023 Grand National will take place on Saturday 15th April 2023 at 17.15 (GMT), as part of the Aintree Racing Festival.
Whilst there are many different bets to be had on the Grand National, the outright winner market is the most popular amongst punters. Backing a horse to go all the way and see off the other 39 challengers in the Grand National is an exhilarating experience.
Each-way bets, place bets and forecast bets are also popular on the Grand National with an estimated £250 million placed on the race in the UK each year.
Every bookmaker on the market is looking to entice punters into Grand National betting with their odds, tips, and promotions.
The likes of Paddy Power, Boylesports, Bet365 and Betway are all excellent resources for Grand National Ireland betting, regardless of a punter’s betting aspiration.
With so many betting offers to pick from on the Grand National, all punters are truly spoilt for choice.
Promotions such as Best Odds Guaranteed, Each Way pay outs to 6th place and Money Back if second to the favourite, are all enticing offers that assist punters when Grand National betting.
.png){kind=logo}
