myracing’s crucial guide to the 2021 Grand National

The world’s most famous steeplechase, the Grand National really is a race that stops the nation. Even if you don’t follow horse racing, you know what the Grand National is. It’s one of Britain’s most important sporting events and is one of the few occasions that gets a vast majority of the the public having a small flutter.

Whether it’s a sweepstake, a favourite colour or the best name, everyone has an opinion on the Grand National. We were unable to take in the 2020 National due to world events, which makes the 2021 contest that much more special. We’re without Tiger Roll, but history will still be made as a horse etches their name into Aintree folklore.

We’ll have Aintree betting tips for the entire meeting, but we’ll be focusing on all the key details for the Grand National here. All you need to know can be found below, from where to bet, to where to watch and have a bet!

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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.

When is the 2021 Grand National?

The most important question! The 2021 Grand National is on Saturday April 10th, with post time at 5.15pm. Given the amount of runners and how long the start procedure can be, they may go off 5 to 10 minutes later, but don’t get indecisive and leave it late on the chance that happens!

How many runners are in the Grand National?

Speaking of the amount of runners, it will be a maximum field of 40 that line up on Saturday. The Grand National, given its importance, will have 100s of entries earlier in the season, with that whittled down the closer we get to the race proper. Ratings are the crucial factor, with the highest-rated horses getting preference into the handicap contest.

What distance is the Grand National?

The Grand National is run over the 4m 2f 110-yard distance and is the longest race of the national hunt season. With 30 fences to jump, it’s the ultimate test of a racehorse. You need more than just stamina to win a National, including guts, bravery and plenty of class, given how difficult it is to get into the contest.

What are the famous National fences?

Of the sixteen fences that make up the National course, five of them have etched themselves into history. Those five are below:

Becher’s Brook: Named after Martin Becher, who fell at this fence and hid in the brook to avoid injury from those still jumping the obstacle
Foinavon: Renamed after the 100/1 chance etched himself into Aintree folklore by winning in 1984, avoiding an incident that all but halted the race
The Canal Turn: One of the trickiest fences on the course, as there is a sharp left turn just after the fence
Valentine’s Brook: Named after the horse Valentine, who remarkably jumped the fence in 1840 despite rearing and corkscrewing over it
The Chair: The fence in front of the grandstand, it’s the tallest fence on the course

Who is the 2021 Grand National favourite?

This year’s warm favourite is Cloth Cap, trained by Jonjo O’Neill. He’s been a rapid improver this season, winning the Ladbrokes Trophy two starts ago. Given a mark of 148 for the National, he came out subsequently to slam a field at Kelso and is now rated 162. That’s a staggering fourteen-pound difference and there’s no doubt he’s well-treated as a result. That being said, he does have stamina to prove like many and ultimately, his price is unlikely to appeal to the vast majority.

How can I bet on the Grand National?

There are several ways to bet on the Grand National. The best way to do so is with an online bookmaker, as you can take full advantage of any extra-place offers. With all the firms competing with each other, you’re likely to find several bookies offering up to 9 places on the historic contest.

If you’re looking to open a new account to take advantage of the Grand National, look no further than our Grand National free bets. Remember, don’t be afraid to take a plunge on a big-priced outsider. The Grand National is fiercely competitive and famous for upsets, so don’t be put off if you’re fancy is upwards of 50-1!

Where can I watch the Grand National?

There are several ways to watch the 2021 Grand National. The easiest way, however, is through the Racing Post app! Place a bet through any of their partnered bookmakers and you can watch the Grand National through the app. You get the form from the Racing Post, so why waste time jumping between apps! Log in to one of your bookmaker accounts, place a bet, and click ‘Watch live’ on the racecards, it’s really that simple.

You can also watch the action live on ITV Racing, who will show all the big races throughout the week. It’ll also be live on RacingTV, which is the only place to watch every live race from Aintree.

myracing’s Grand National tips

Our Grand National tips for the 2021 renewal will be available very soon. They can be found on our Aintree betting tips page, along with all our horse racing tips, which are available each day.

Check out the myracing experts’ Aintree betting tips for every day of the festival, and don’t forget to check out the latest Grand National free bets to get a headstart on your festival punting.