Grand National Betting Guide

Knowing how to bet on the Grand National is the first step to conquering the odds and – if you’re lucky – winning big on the world’s most exciting horse race. Millions of fans place Grand National bets each year. From sweepstakes to betting online at BetMGM, there are plenty of ways to get involved.

There are 34 horses to choose from, four miles of racecourse to run, and millions of pounds stakes. It’s quite literally the biggest horse race on the planet.

But where to start? If you’re new to horse racing betting or just need a refresher before the big day then we have you covered.

Our Grand National guide takes you through the best horse racing bets available and what to look out for at Aintree. We’ll also offer some simple tips on how to put a bet on the Grand National, which go way beyond simply choosing your favourite colour or number!

How to bet on the Grand National

There are a few ways to bet on the Grand National. You might be included in an office sweepstake, where you all chip in £1 and draw a name out of the hat. This can be a fun way to bet on horse racing for the first time but you’ll never win more than £34!

Instead of the sweepstake, many fans will choose to either bet online or at a highstreet betting shop. We’ll let you into a little secret – you get far better deals online, especially when it comes to triggering Grand National promos.

Betting in a store means interrupting your day to find a betting shop and waiting in line to place your bet. It’s harder to change your mind and cash out, and you might not get a welcome bonus. Betting online at BetMGM couldn’t be easier. In fact, if you’re wondering how to place a bet on Grand National odds then simply follow these steps:

• Sign up to BetMGM – First, join BetMGM by heading to our website or downloading the BetMGM app. Enter your email and create a password, then provide your name and personal details. This helps keep your account safe. Remember to choose the sports welcome bonus, where you get £40 in free bets after your first £10 qualifying bet.
• Make a deposit – Once you’ve created an account, you’ll need to make a deposit. Choose your preferred payment method and complete the transaction in minutes. Remember to deposit the right amount to match your welcome offer, if you want to trigger it.
• Head to the Grand National odds – Armed with your funded account, it’s time to check out the odds. Head to the BetMGM homepage online or on the app, and click on the ‘Horse Racing’ tab. Then click on ‘Ante-Post Grand National’ if you’re betting a few weeks before the race, or ‘Grand National’ if you’re betting on the day.
• Choose your horse – Browse the odds and click on the horse you want to back. Click on ‘View full racecard’ to see more details about each horse, including their age, weight, and form. Once you’re happy with your choice, click the horse’s odds.
• Enter your stake – Next, you’ll need to enter your stake in the pop-up bet slip. Enter the number of pounds you want to bet and click the ‘each way’ button if you want to effectively double your bet to cover the Grand National places. Once you’re happy with your choice, hit the “Place Bet” button to complete the process.

Not sure who to back? Get all the latest updates on the big race from our Grand National Betting Hub!

Which Grand National betting markets are available?

No Grand National betting guide is complete without a full list of the bet types available. Here at BetMGM you can do more than just back horses to win or place. In fact, there are a lot of different bet structures at your disposal for the Grand National.

If you’re new to horse racing betting then some of these bet types might go over your head – but that’s why we’re here to explain how each one works!

Types of Grand National bet

• Win Bet – This is the most common type of Grand National bet and requires you to back who you think will win. Many horses have high Grand National odds, so this is often a good option for a low-stake bet that offers big potential returns.
• Each-Way Bet – Each way betting gives you a level of insurance on your win bet. Here, your stake is doubled, with half of it backing your horse to win, and the other half backing it to finish in one of the places. The Grand National has six places covered in the EW bet.
• Place Bet – With a place bet, you back a horse to finish first or second. It’s available in the ‘Top Finish’ tab of BetMGM’s Grand National racecard.
• Show Bet – A show bet is like a place bet, but here you’re backing a horse to finish in one of the top three positions. The odds are lower but your chances of winning are, of course, higher.
• Forecast Bet – Forecast bets require you to choose the first- and second-place finishers at the Grand National. You can also click the 'Any' option to place a reserve forecast, which means your horses can finish in either combination.
• Tricast Bet – Tricast bets require you to choose the first-, second- and third-place finishers at the Grand National. It’s not an easy bet but your odds are likely to be very, very big.
• Superfecta Bet – These bets require you to choose the first-, second-, third- and fourth-place finishers at the Grand National.
• Match Bet – The Grand National match bet enables you to back a horse to finish ahead of another. It’s a great way to bet on a head-to-head clash rather than the whole race.

How does each way betting work for the Grand National?

We mentioned each way bets as a great option for anyone betting on the Grand National – but how do EW bets at Aintree actually work? Well, as with any other horse race, you can click the “EW” button in your bet slip. This means your horse can finish in one of the top places in the race and earn you a payout.

Each way bets split your stake. Half goes on the horse to win, half on the horse to place. Your overall stake is doubled because you’re effectively putting on two bets.

There are usually six places at the Grand National and places pay out at 1/5 your stake. Here’s how your EW bet could look:

You bet £10 EW on Minella Cocooner at 21.00. Your overall stake is £20, which is spit like this:

• £10 on Minella Cocooner to win
• £10 on Minella Cocooner to place in the top six

If Minella Cocooner wins, you win both bets:

• £10 x 21.00 win bet = £200 profit
• £10 x 21.00 place bet divided by 5 = £40 profit

Total return (inc. your £20 stake back) = £260

If Minella Cocooner finishes third then only the second half of your EW bet wins:

• £10 x 21.00 place bet divided by 5 = £40 profit

Total return (inc. your £10 stake back) = £50

What time does betting close for the Grand National?

There are a number of betting markets you can focus on for the Grand National, which close at different times.

• Ante-post Grand National bets – The ante-post markets cover horses that are expected to run. You’re not refunded if your selection doesn’t run but, in return, your odds are bigger. Ante-post markets close when the runners are confirmed on the Thursday before the National.
• Race odds – The race odds go live once the runners are confirmed and are available up until the start of the Grand National. For most people, this is when betting on the Grand National closes.
• Live odds – You can bet in-play during the Grand National and time your bets to perfection. Note that the live Grand National odds close after the final fence is jumped.

How many people bet on the Grand National each year?

Around 13 million people in the UK bet on the Grand National each year, with many more playing sweepstakes with family, friends, and colleagues. In 2024 the horse racing industry accepted 101,000 Grand National bets per minute on the day of the race.

Who should I bet on for the Grand National?

No one has a crystal ball so betting on the Grand National is never a guaranteed road to success. However, if you’re trying to find your ideal Grand National bet strategy then consider the following options.

• Study the form – BetMGM provides a form guide for every horse at the Grand National. Horse racing form reads something like this: 164423. The horse’s most recent result is on the right, so in this instance our horse finished third last time, and second the time before that. Look at the form of each horse to see how well they’re running right now.
• Check the connections – Each horse has a jockey, trainer, and owner. Its connections can make a big difference. If a horse is trained by a big name in racing – such as Willie Mullins or Gordon Elliott – then they might have an advantage over runners trained by lesser-known figures.
• Weigh up the odds – There are many things that influence a horse’s odds, including its Official Rating and the weight it’s carrying. If you like a horse but don’t like the odds then don’t feel like you need to back it. A smart way to pick a horse is to find odds you feel provide value, and then find your match from there!
• Follow the tipsters – You can also get Grand National betting tips from BetMGM in the leadup to the big race. See what our tipsters are saying and don’t be afraid to go for an Each Way bet to spread your chances of winning, rather than backing a horse to win outright.

Dos and don’ts of betting on the Grand National

It doesn’t matter if you’re new to Grand National betting or test your luck every year – there are some simple things you should do, and things to avoid, when placing your bets.

Dos:

• Research the form of each horse ahead of the race
• Look out for BetMGM Grand National promotions
• Set a budget when betting and stick to it
• Look at the odds in the morning of the race to give yourself time to bet
• Consider Each Way bets and other bet types to increase your chances of nailing a return

Don’ts:

• Never bet more than you can afford to lose
• Don’t wait until 30 seconds before the race starts, as you might not get your bet in on time
• Don’t just pick a horse because you like the name or its colours

There are smarter ways to bet on the Grand National that don’t involve closing your eyes and picking a name out of a hat. Head over to our Grand National Betting Hub for more tips and the latest racing odds!