Aintree’s Grand National is probably the biggest betting race of the entire year and it’s easy to see why. No race has captured the imagination of the public like the Grand National and it’s always an exciting event. Betting on the race can be hard to get your head around but MyRacing is here to help. We’ve put together a betting guide to provide you with all the hints and tricks required to find a winner. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
It’s important not to just take the first price you see, as betting on the Grand National is competitive. This means looking around for the best odds possible is a very good idea and could make a big difference. Another positive from doing this is the potential for bookmaker sign up offers which can provide you with free bets.
Bookmakers tend to offer plenty of extra places for each-way betting in the Grand National. You may have to decide between getting a slightly bigger price or an extra place and the choice will depend on your level of confidence. Extra places can be very helpful but it’s important to consider price value.
There’s a tendency for punters to back horses that have run well but been beaten in the race before. Whilst the logic makes some sense, the results really don’t back the theory up. Eight of the last nine winners were having their first run in the race and the one anomaly was Tiger Roll who won consecutive renewals. Horses who have run well without winning are at high risk of being exposed in the handicap and are therefore vulnerable to newcomers.
The last two winners had previously run in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and the Cross Country Chase is often a good form pointer. In Ireland the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse has historically produced plenty of horses which have been in the mix. It’s not always chase form you need to look out for, as plenty of horses will run over hurdles in order to protect their handicap marks.
Seven of the last nine winners have been eight or nine and that supports the idea that you want a progressive and somewhat unexposed horse. 2014’s winner was an 11-year-old and he’s the only veteran to have won it in the last nine years. The stats suggest that older horses should probably be overlooked.
Lucinda Russell and Gordon Elliott have won four of the last nine renewals between them and it’s the latter that is probably the one to watch in 2024’s race.
If you back any of our selections you can watch them live on the free Racing Post app or racingpost.com. Simply log in to one of your bookmaker accounts and click ‘Watch live’ on the racecards.