Grand National 2026 Betting Guide: Odds, Tips & Best Bets

The Grand National 2026 returns to Aintree on Saturday, April 11, 2026. It is the most anticipated betting event in British sport. Europe's most valuable jump race has a GBP 1 million prize fund and draws 500-600 million viewers across 140 countries. Whether you bet every weekend or just once a year for this race, our Grand National betting guide covers everything from the latest Grand National odds to expert tips and proven betting strategies.

The Grand National has run since 1839, first as the "Grand Liverpool Steeplechase." This 4-mile-2.5-furlong contest over 30 fences has become part of British sporting heritage. The race captures over 60% of the UK viewing population during its roughly nine-minute duration. That is higher than the FA Cup Final (52%) or Wimbledon Men's Final (51%).

What makes the Grand National special is its unpredictability. The handicap system gives every horse a theoretical chance. 100/1 outsiders can and do win. Five horses have triumphed at the maximum price, including Mon Mome in 2009 and Foinavon in 1967. This unpredictability, combined with office sweepstakes, engages millions who never otherwise place a bet.

Key Details at a Glance

Detail	Information
Date	Saturday, April 11, 2026
Race Time	4:00 PM GMT
Location	Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool
Distance	4 miles 2.5 furlongs (6.907 km)
Fences	30 (16 unique, 14 jumped twice)
Maximum Field	34 runners
Prize Fund	GBP 1 million

The 2026 renewal continues recent safety measures with the field capped at 34 runners, down from 40 in 2024. The race headlines the three-day Grand National Festival: Opening Day on Thursday, April 9, Ladies Day on Friday, April 10, and Grand National Saturday itself.

The Famous Fences: A Test Like No Other

The Aintree Grand National course is unique. A triangular layout separate from the main track. Horses complete two circuits, jumping 16 unique obstacles, with 14 tackled twice. The fences use 150 tonnes of Sitka and Norway spruce from the Lake District. Each fence has its own character and story.

Becher's Brook (fences 6 and 22) is the most famous fence in racing. Standing 4ft 10in with a 10-inch drop on the landing side. Named after Captain Martin Becher, who fell there in 1839 and hid in the brook. It has produced countless dramas over the decades.

The Chair (fence 15) is the tallest obstacle at 5ft 2in. It has a 6ft ditch on the take-off side and a raised landing. Jumped only once, it tests every Grand National contender.

Canal Turn (fences 8 and 24) presents a unique tactical challenge. An immediate 90-degree left turn after landing over a 5ft fence. Positioning and accuracy matter here.

The 494-yard run-in after the final fence is the longest of any UK racecourse. It has seen dramatic finishes where potential winners get caught in the dying strides.

Entry Overview

The 2026 renewal attracted 78 initial entries, down from 90 in 2025. Irish-trained horses dominate as usual. Willie Mullins leads with an incredible 15 entries, including the last two winners. Gordon Elliott has 12 entries. British trainers account for 29 entries (37% of the field).

Paul Nicholls has NO entries in 2026, having had five in 2025.

Grand National Odds: Ante-Post Favourites

Horse	Odds	Trainer	Key Form
Iroko	7/1 (8.00)	Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero	4th in 2025 Grand National (was favourite). 2023 Martin Pipe winner.
I Am Maximus	12/1 (13.00)	Willie Mullins	WON 2024 Grand National. 2nd in 2025.
Haiti Couleurs	16/1 (17.00)	Rebecca Curtis	WON 2025 Irish Grand National. WON 2025 Welsh National.
Panic Attack	20/1 (21.00)	Dan Skelton	Career-best form (11121). Two Newbury wins.
Monty's Star	25/1 (26.00)	Henry de Bromhead	Promising Irish chaser.
Captain Cody	25/1 (26.00)	Willie Mullins	WON 2025 Scottish Grand National.
Grangeclare West	25/1 (26.00)	Willie Mullins	3rd in 2025 Grand National.
Nick Rockett	25/1 (26.00)	Willie Mullins	WON 2025 Grand National at 33/1.

The Iroko Story

Iroko heads the market at 7/1 (8.00 decimal) for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero. The reason is simple. Fourth in the 2025 Grand National when sent off as the 13/2 favourite, he returns with valuable Aintree experience. A winner of the 2023 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival, he has proven class and stamina. Can he improve on that creditable fourth-place finish?

Willie Mullins: The Dominant Force

Any Grand National 2026 betting discussion starts with Willie Mullins. The champion Irish trainer has won the last two renewals with I Am Maximus (2024) and Nick Rockett (2025). His 15-strong team for 2026 looks formidable.

His squad includes:

• I Am Maximus (12/1, 13.00 decimal) - The 2024 winner who finished second in 2025
• Nick Rockett (25/1, 26.00 decimal) - Defending champion, ridden by Patrick Mullins
• Captain Cody (25/1, 26.00 decimal) - Winner of the 2025 Scottish Grand National
• Grangeclare West (25/1, 26.00 decimal) - Third in 2025, likely to improve
• Appreciate It, Impaire Et Passe, High Class Hero - All with serious claims

Haiti Couleurs: The Curtis Challenge

Rebecca Curtis sends Haiti Couleurs (16/1, 17.00 decimal) to Aintree. If successful, she would become the first Welsh trainer to win the Grand National since 1905. This eight-year-old achieved something special in 2025, winning both the Irish Grand National and the Welsh Grand National. Horses with that stamina-heavy record tend to handle Aintree well.

Standard Betting Options

Win Betting is straightforward. Put your money on a horse to finish first. If it wins, you collect at the odds you took, or the Starting Price if you did not take a price.

Each-Way Betting is particularly popular for the Grand National. This splits into two equal bets: one on the horse to win, one on it to place (typically top 4-7, depending on bookmaker terms). Standard terms are 1/4 odds for 4 places. Most bookmakers offer enhanced terms for the Grand National.

Each-Way Betting Example:
Stake: GBP 10 each-way (GBP 20 total)
Horse odds: 20/1 (21.00 decimal)
Terms: 1/4 odds, 4 places

If wins:
- Win portion: GBP 10 x 20 = GBP 200 profit
- Place portion: GBP 10 x (20/4) = GBP 50 profit
- Total profit: GBP 250
- Plus GBP 20 stake returned

If places (2nd-4th):
- Place portion: GBP 50 profit
- Plus GBP 10 place stake returned
- Total return: GBP 60

If unplaced: Lose GBP 20

Special Aintree Betting Markets

The Grand National attracts plenty of special betting markets:

• Faller Insurance / Money Back if Falls - Stake returned if your horse fails to complete
• Winning Distance - Predict the margin of victory
• Number of Finishers - Over/Under on total completions
• Irish vs British Trainer - Which nation provides the winner
• Age of Winner - Back a specific age group
• Starting Price of Winner - SP ranges (e.g., 0-10/1, 10-25/1, 25/1+)

For more exotic bet types, see our guides on reverse forecast betting and tricast bets.

Positive Trends to Follow

Recent renewals reveal trends that help identify potential winners and inform your Grand National tips:

Trend	Statistic
Age 9 or older	25 of last 31 winners
Grand National debutants	13 of last 15 winners
Rated 137 or higher	32 of 33 winners
Ran within 55 days	31 of 33 winners
Won over 3 miles	29 of 33 winners
Carried 10st 13lbs or less	25 of 33 winners
Irish-bred	20 of 33 winners
Irish-trained	13 of 33 winners
Finished in top 4 last time	20 of 33 winners

Negative Trends to Avoid

Warning signs matter when developing your Grand National 2026 tips:

Trend	Statistic
Aged 7 or younger	Only 1 winner since 1940 (Noble Yeats 2022)
Aged 13 or older	No winner since 1923
Carrying 11st 5lbs or more	Only 2 winners since 1978
Last run 50+ days ago	Poor record
Fallen/unseated 3+ times	Poor record
Previous National winner	Only Tiger Roll (2018-19) since Red Rum
Won at Cheltenham same season	Only 4 winners since 1961

The Ideal Profile

Based on these trends, the statistically ideal Grand National contender is:

• Age: 9-11 years old
• Weight: 10st 13lbs or less
• Recent form: Run within 34-50 days, finished in top 4 last time
• Experience: Won over 3 miles, ideally previous National-type race experience
• Origin: Irish-bred (statistical edge)

Favourite Statistics

Favourites have a mixed record in the Grand National. Since 1999, only 6 favourites have won: I Am Maximus (2024), Corach Rambler (2023), Tiger Roll (2019), Don't Push It (2010), Comply Or Die (2008), and Hedgehunter (2005). That is a strike rate of roughly 23%, well below the 33% expected in standard races.

Favourites do place at a much higher rate, though. Eighteen of the last 30 favourites have finished in the top 4 (60%). Each-way betting on the favourite can work. History suggests looking beyond the market leader for the winner.

The average winning Grand National odds since 1990 sit around 20/1. The race is unpredictable.

Strategy 1: Each-Way Value

With 34 runners and most bookmakers offering 4-7 places, each-way betting provides insurance against the race's unpredictability. Target horses priced between 16/1 and 33/1 with confirmed stamina and ideally some Aintree or National-type experience.

The goal is finding the sweet spot where the place payout gives a reasonable return. A 25/1 shot that places at 1/4 odds returns 6.25/1 on the place portion. That is a healthy profit on your each-way stake.

Strategy 2: Avoid Short-Priced Favourites

Only 6 favourites have won since 1999. The Grand National's unique demands include extreme distance, a large field, and unique fences. These factors often expose shorter-priced runners unproven at the trip or against such large fields.

The 2025 favourite Iroko finished fourth at 13/2. In 2022, 50/1 Noble Yeats defeated the favourite. Backing favourites blind has been a losing strategy.

Strategy 3: Irish Raider Focus

Irish-trained horses have dominated recent renewals, winning 8 of the last 15 runnings. Irish-bred horses account for 18 of the last 23 winners. Willie Mullins alone has won the last two years.

With 49 of the 78 entries (63%) Irish-trained in 2026, concentrating on Irish yards (particularly Mullins and Elliott) makes sense for your Aintree betting.

Strategy 4: Weight-Based Selection

No horse has won carrying top weight since Red Rum in 1974. Twenty-one of the last 28 winners carried 10st 12lbs or less. Focus on horses in the 10st-11st range who are well-treated by the handicapper. Avoid top weights unless they have exceptional class.

Strategy 5: Previous National Form

Horses that performed well in previous Nationals often reproduce that form. Those previously unplaced at Aintree have won 5 of the last 18 renewals after gaining valuable experience. Form in other Nationals (Scottish, Irish, Welsh) also translates well. Three of the last 11 winners had Scottish National form.

Enhanced Each-Way Places

The Grand National is one of the few races where bookmakers genuinely compete on place terms. Standard each-way terms are 1/4 odds for 4 places. Most major bookmakers extend this for the National:

Bookmaker	Typical Places	Terms
Betfred	Up to 7 places	1/5 odds
bet365	5-6 places	1/4 or 1/5 odds
Coral	5-6 places	1/5 odds
Ladbrokes	5-6 places	1/5 odds
William Hill	5-6 places	1/5 odds
Paddy Power	5-6 places	1/5 odds
Betway	5-6 places	1/5 odds
Betfair	5-6 places	1/5 odds

Other Valuable Promotions

Best Odds Guaranteed means if the Starting Price is larger than the price you took, you get paid at the bigger SP. This matters in a race where prices can drift significantly on the day.

Non-Runner No Bet returns your stake if your horse does not make the final field. Usually available from March onwards. Essential for ante-post betting.

Money Back if Falls/Unseats returns your stake (usually as a free bet) if your horse fails to complete. Given the attritional nature of the Grand National, this offers valuable protection.

Welcome Offers (February 2026 Examples)

New customers can typically claim enhanced offers around the Grand National:

• bet365: Bet GBP 10, Get GBP 30 in Free Bets
• William Hill: Bet GBP 10, Get GBP 30 in Free Bets
• Betfred: Bet GBP 10, Get GBP 50 in Free Bets
• Coral: Bet GBP 5, Get GBP 30 in Free Bets
• Paddy Power: Bet GBP 5, Get GBP 30 in Free Bets
• Betfair: Bet GBP 10, Get GBP 50 in Free Bets

Note: All offers subject to terms and conditions. 18+. GambleAware.org.

UK Television Coverage

ITV1 provides free-to-air coverage of the Grand National. Programming typically starts at midday on race day. The race goes off at 4:00 PM. Expert analysis comes from AP McCoy and Ruby Walsh, with comprehensive pre-race features, fence-by-fence analysis, and post-race reaction.

Streaming Options

ITVX offers free streaming of the ITV coverage (UK postcode required). Accessible via web, mobile, tablet, and smart TV.

Racing TV provides subscription-based coverage for dedicated racing enthusiasts wanting more in-depth analysis.

Radio Coverage

BBC Radio continues its tradition of live commentary dating back to 1927. Free audio coverage for those unable to watch.

International Broadcasting

The Grand National's global reach is extraordinary. Broadcast to 500-600 million viewers across 140 countries:

• USA: NBC Sports
• Australia: Sky Racing
• Canada: Sportsnet
• Europe: Various Eurosport channels

Attending Aintree in Person

Tickets for Grand National Saturday range from approximately GBP 31.50 (Festival Zone) to over GBP 130 for premium seating. Saturday typically sells out months in advance. Book early through the official Aintree/Jockey Club website.

Getting to Aintree:

• Train (Recommended): Aintree Station is opposite the course, 15 minutes from Liverpool Central via Merseyrail
• Car: Via A59, 1 mile from M57/M58 - parking must be pre-booked
• Bus: Routes 300, 310, 345 from Liverpool city centre; special 922 shuttle on race days

The Grand National should be enjoyed responsibly. For most people who bet on this race, it is their one bet of the year. Treat it as entertainment, not an investment.

Remember:

• Favourites win only roughly 23% of the time
• Average winning odds are around 20/1
• More than half the field typically fails to finish

Guidelines for Responsible Betting

1. Set a budget before betting and stick to it
2. Never chase losses - accept losing as part of betting
3. Consider each-way betting for some protection against total loss
4. Only bet what you can afford to lose
5. Do not borrow money to gamble
6. Take breaks if gambling becomes stressful
7. Self-exclude if gambling is becoming problematic

Support Resources

• BeGambleAware.org - Free, confidential help and advice
• National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133
• GamCare - Support and counselling services
• GAMSTOP - Self-exclusion from all UK gambling sites

Age Restriction: You must be 18 or older to gamble in the UK.

The 2026 Grand National should deliver another thrilling renewal. Iroko heads the market at 7/1. Willie Mullins fields a formidable 15-strong team. Haiti Couleurs brings a dual National record. Compelling narratives run throughout the field.

Successful Grand National betting means respecting the race's unique demands while finding value in a wide-open market. Use statistical trends to narrow the field. Target each-way value in the 16/1-33/1 range. Take advantage of enhanced place terms and special offers from bookmakers.

The Grand National is the ultimate test of thoroughbred and jockey. It is one of the most unpredictable sporting events on the calendar. Set a budget, bet responsibly, and enjoy the spectacle.

All odds and information correct as of February 2026 and subject to change. Weights revealed February 17, 2026. 18+. Please gamble responsibly. BeGambleAware.org

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