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Grand National Betting 2022: Our Best Tips

Grand National  Dates: 8th- 10th April

DAY 1: Thursday, Liverpool’s NHS Day  

Betting On the Grand National in April 2021

Anticipation for this year’s Grand National has been understandably palpable.

Ante-post betting markets have been particularly competitive in 2021 for Aintree’s biggest event too. Tiger Roll was pulled out from the runners 2021 list, following heavier weight allocations, making way to Cloth Cap, with owner Trevor Hemmings.

What to expect during the Grand National?

The horse racing and betting communities are delighted to see the return of this great race. Alongside Cheltenham and Royal Ascot, this three-day meeting is one of the most gambled-on events in the country.

The festival begins with Liverpool’s NHS Day on Thursday, April 8th and features the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle. Ladies Day is on Friday but we all wait in anticipation for the big one.

Saturday, April 10th is Grand National day. The big race is at 5.15 pm, estimated to be watched by over 600 million on TV worldwide.

The festival always starts with Grand Opening Day on Thursday, Ladies Day on Friday, before Saturday’s Grand National Day. The racecourse at Aintree usually hosts around 150,000 racegoers across the 3 days. Worldwide an estimated audience of over 600 million people tune in to watch the race on TV.

The Grand National foundation stone was laid on February 7, 1829 by its founder, William Lynn. While there isn’t an exact date concerning the very first official Grand National event, this is believed to have been held sometime in 1836 when the race was won by The Duke. Over the years, the Grand National went through countless changes that, despite some more dramatic ones, have only strengthen its reputation and name. For example, there were no races held between 1941 to 1945, during the Second World War.

Plus, in 1993, the Grand National was declared void for the first time and became, as the famous commentator Peter O’Sullevan put it: “the greatest disaster in the history of the Grand National.” It was a historical event that “never really happened” due to a lack of communication that led 30 out of 39 jockeys to start the race when the start hasn’t been set yet officially.

Bet on horses

How to bet on Grand National?

Bettors from all over the world – especially those who are into horse racing – will most certainly plan on wagering on the winner of the Grand National every single year. There are lots of types of bets available at the biggest bookmakers in the UK. This means that as long as you know how to bet on Grand National, you may be in for amazing surprises.

Some of the most important steps to remember if you bet on Grand National are:

  • Try to do a little research beforehand on the main operators and see what they offer
  • Always look for Grand National-specific promotions;
  • If you don’t have a member’s account yet, make sure you sign up with the chosen operator; usually, you will have to claim the welcome bonus offer if you want to enjoy it;
  • Choose the type of bet you wish to place and on how many horses;
  • Add the stake you want to bet, the time of the race and course;
  • Click “Submit” and enjoy the race.

Other Grand National Betting Offers

Betting on Grand National is pretty much an event in itself. It’s that time of the year when bookmakers must top up their game and provide you with the best offers for Grand National betting if they want to be among players’ favourites. The biggest boys of the industry are always equipping themselves with a variety of welcome offers, promotions for their existing members, adding new types of bets to their offering and, of course, making sure that you have the best odds on the market.

Some of the bookmakers will even remove their existing welcome offer and add ones dedicated to the Grand National betting. Some of the offers for their already signed-up members can include refunds (on fallers, unseated jockeys, etc), payout offers for the top 5, for example.

Since the Grand National race has 30 fences and 40 runners, the array of refund types of bets placed on fallers is quite wide. You can find these at the Top 100 bookmakers in town. To explain what this offer is: a faller is anything from a horse that falls to a jockey that’s been unseated or a horse that has been brought down. For these sorts of eventualities, the operators shape up promotions that will tackle these situations and help players make the most of them by offering them a refund for their stakes – usually up to a specific amount.

By wagering on a faller, you will get your stakes refunded as a free bet of cash. The faller offer is a very good bet given that there are usually approx. 10 runners out of 40 that are expected to end the race by falling one way or another.

We highly recommend reading the terms and conditions of every faller promotion or, as a matter of fact, of every Grand National promotion you plan on signing up for. Lots of bets will be at players’ disposal too. The standard offering is usually the each-way bet.

Horse racing 2018

Grand National Winners 2021: Runners & Form

And now onto the (perhaps) most important discussion of all: Meet the runners of Grand National 2021 that finished the race.

MINELLA TIMES
Form: 20-122 / Official Rating: 146 / Weight: 10st 3lb / Age: 8 / Jockey:  Rachael Blackmore / Trainer: H De Bromhead
Minella Times SilkWinner at the Grand National 2021 
SP:
11/2
Balko Des Flos
Form: -4764U / Official Rating: 152 / Weight: 10st 9lbs / Age: 10 / Jockey: A Coleman / Trainer: H De Bromhead
Potters Corner SilkFinished in position #2 
SP:
100/1
ANY SECOND NOW
Form: 31-99P / Official Rating: 153 / Weight: 10st 10lbs / Age: 9 / Jockey: M P Walsh / Trainer: Ted Walsh
Any Second Now SilkFinished in position #3 
SP:
15/2
BURROWS SAINT
Form: 531-26 / Official Rating: 156 / Weight: 10st 13lbs / Age: 8 / Jockey: Mr P W Mullins / Trainer: Willie Mullins
Burrows Saint SilkFinished in position #4
SP:
9/1
Farclas
Form: 1-5342 / Official Rating: 146 / Weight: 10st 3lbs / Age: 7 / Jockey: Jack Kennedy / Trainer: Mrs D Foster
Farclas SilkFinished in position #5
SP:
16/1

Betting Tips for the Grand National

How to bet on Grand National?

Even though the Grand National is a horse racing event that takes place in the UK, the world is also watching. Almost every bookmaker from the world will pay attention and have at least one offer or live streaming accessible feature of the Grand National each year. This event plays a huge role in the financial fortunes of the UK’s major operators that focus all their gambling efforts towards attracting new customers and keeping the existing ones happy weeks leading up the event. On the other hand, players also keep their eyes wide open for attractive offers that will make this race profitable for them.

How to bet on Grand National

Check the list below for the best Grand National Tips:

  1. Since the race is 4m+ long consisting of steep fences, it is a challenge for new horses to take these on. Therefore, make sure you pay attention to horses that already have experience in competing in other Grand National events and, why not, have already won. It is very likely that they’ll perform well once again. For example, make sure you look at the last top 5 runners of previous Grand Nationals and check out the names that have jumped over unique fences carrying the day when Grand National betting. Over the last years, due to safety reasons, the obstacles aren’t as dangerous as they once were, but the way horses overcome these is a useful identification tool for potential winners.
  2. During a Grand National event, 40 runners will be lining up, so in Grand National betting each way bets and focusing on amazing jumpers is the way to go. The biggest bookmakers will give you each way bets at the best price, and some will even pay extra places (1/4 the odds for 1, 2, 3 and 4 places, with a few operators offering competitive odds for up to 7 places). If you back, for instance, four horses in an each way bet, you may increase your chances of winning. Make sure, however, that you know a bit of the history of each horse: performance, previous winnings, potential setbacks. In the last decade of the Grand National, eight horses have either won or have been placed over 3m+.
  3. We advise players to avoid cliché moves and stay away from the horses from top stables that are usual winners of Cheltenham Festival or the likes. They hardly make the Grand National headlines. There is only one example, Many Clouds, that has won the Cheltenham Gold Cup and then went on taking over the Grand National, destroying a long-time record that Cheltenham and Aintree form don’t match.
  4. Choose your operator wisely. Search only for the best offers. Be ready to pick one on the morning of the race. But don’t just place a bet for the sake of it. Even if you are already a registered member of a bookmaker, search the market and see whether another operator has a bigger Grand National betting offer, better odds to entice you with. If yours is offering 12/1 and another one is coming with 16/1 for example, don’t wait around and be loyal to your operator as this will only get you to lose money upfront. Switch from one operator to another if somebody else offers a bigger price and better value for your bet.
  5. Look for experienced and lesser known jockeys. Big names aren’t necessarily your dream ticket to win the big Grand National bet. Take champion Richard Johnson for example. He ran for 20 rides without hitting it big again. Ruby Walsh took home two Grand National trophies but the future isn’t looking that well for him, not after that leg injury incident at the Cheltenham Festival. Obvious names aren’t also obvious winners. Nor when it comes to horses, neither when it comes to jockeys. See Nigel Twiston-Davies and Jonjo O’Neill: they do have amazing records, but will then win forever?

 

Finished Grand National Runners 2021 SP Odds

The current Grand National favourite is Cloth Cap with odds at 5/1, let’s take a look at some of the other leading favourites.

Runner by Finishing PositionSP
Minella Times11/2
Balko Des Flos100/1
Any Second Now15/2
Burrows Saint9/1
Farclas16/1
Blaklion50/1
Discorama16/1
Jett80/1
Cabaret Queen80/1
Shattered Love33/1
Alpha Des Obeaux80/1
Hogan’s Height100/1
Acapella Bourgeois20/1
Sub Lieutenant50/1
Class Conti66/1

How to bet on Grand National 2021 online?

If you are a novice in all things Grand National betting, no worries. We are here to help out with a bit of advice meant to be your guide to Grand National betting.

As you probably know already, there are lots of operators to cherry-pick from and choosing the best will be a big step towards winning a big bet. Many of the biggest ones will do their best to sweep you off your feet with Grand National betting offers and incentives aimed at new customers. Which one you choose is 100% your decision. You cannot, however, go wrong if choosing the very big traditional ones from the UK, the ones that not only have a massive Grand National betting portfolio, but a remarkable experience with betting on Grand National as well. The list is endless and you can start by researching some of the well-known brands.

How to bet on Grand National online

As soon as you’ve made up your mind and picked the favourite bookmaker, you will have to open an account with them. To do this, you need to:

  • Go to the bookmaker’s website and click on the “Join Now” or “Open account” buttons;
  • Complete the registration form with the necessary details, including your card information used for placing deposits;
  • If there’s a welcome offer, or a Grand National-specific welcome bonus, to claim, ensure that you click the right box and claim it at sign-up.

Only in case you are a new member, you will probably get a free bet bonus, a matched bet, a money back promotion. Regardless of the situation, make sure you read the offer’s terms and conditions beforehand.

It is worth mentioning that since the craze for the Grand National is incredible before the event kicks off, many bookmakers will temporarily remove their regular welcome bonuses. This happens because some players will only register to get access to the Grand National betting without even thinking about betting again with that specific sportsbook. That’s why, it is better to register with a new operator a few weeks prior to the event, usually held in April.

Besides Grand National, there are of course big horse racing events also very popular for punters. In United-Kingdom, we can attend and bet every year on Cheltenham Festival, appreciated by expert bettors, and Royal Ascot, where the Queen’s horses – Reach For The Moon, Tactical, Light Refrain et King’s Lynn – participate.

In other countries, we also find popular horse races to bet on. In United-States, we have the famous Kentucky Derby which attracts a lot of players. In Australia, Melbourne Cup betting is a popular tradition every year for punters too, and in Dubaï, we have the Meydan Racecourse.

Thus, if you have appreciated betting on Grand National, you will also certainly like those racing events to play, but always responsibly, and if you’re aged 18+!

How to bet on mobile?

For those who want to bet on the go and not be restricted by a PC or laptop, numerous bookmakers will provide the same offers both for mobile and desktop users altogether. This way, there won’t be any difference for on the go bettors. The most important thing will be to sign up with an operator before the Grand National event and choose the promotion that fits best your needs. The biggest names in the industry will also provide members with mobile-specific Grand National offer, so keep an eye out for those as well if you choose to use your mobile for Grand National betting.

How to bet on mobile

When To Start To Bet?

Betting on the Grand National can take quite a lot of organisation. Given the 40 runners, the extreme trip and all the other variables, you’ll want to be prepared well in advance of the event.

Make sure that you check out online bookmakers’ Grand National offers after the Cheltenham Festival is run in March when all attention in the industry turns to Aintree. Once the right deal is offered for you, grab your bonus and have your account set up in time for the big day, Saturday, April 10th.

The Aintree Festival 2021 is set to run on  Thursday, April 8, as Opening Day, continue on April 9 with Ladies Days and ending with the much-awaited Grand National Day on April 10.

Betting for Beginners: the Grand National Race Guide

We always refer to the Grand National betting as the amazing event that comes alongside the race itself. Bettors from all around the UK and the world know the ins and outs of how to maximise their chances of winning with this event, but for the amateur ones, there is still a lot to grasp. Specifically, for this reason, we have selected the top 5 Grand National tips on betting.

The Grand National race guide

1. Pay attention to the horse’s age.
When they bet on a horse from the Grand National for the first time, beginner bettors tend to pick one based on the name of the horse. Knowing a little bit about the horse’s history and previous performances will make wonders though for successful Grand National betting. First, look at the requirements horses need to tick off in order to be in the Grand National.

The age of the horse is very important to take into account. For example, look at who won previous Grand Nationals:

  • No horse aged 7-year-old won the Grand National since 1940, although a few seven-year-olds ran in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and in 2015;
  • 11 out of the last 36 Grand National winners were of age 11;
  • 9-year-olds and 10-year-olds have also won many races in the last 36;
  • The oldest horse to win was 15 years old in 1853;
  • The youngest horse to win was 8 years old in 2002.

2. Know when to place your bet
Each jockey will have their own way of where they want to be in the race. Some like to be closer to the inner rail and others take a wider route. However, many that go off in style at the start rarely finish in flying colours.

3. Be careful with wagering on the favourites.
Only seven favourites won the race since 1950. So, pay attention which horse you want to back and put all your stakes on.

4. Look out for the winner.
You can predict the outcome of the race if you pay careful attention to details. For example, winners can easily emerge at the very end of the race and take their time. They can surprise you, and each event is very different. Don’t count your chickens before you don’t hear the very first official cheer.

5. Understand handicapping.
In order to balance and equalise the winning chances of all horses running in the Grand National, each of them is allotted a weight. This can play a huge role in the outcome. Basically, the very best horses will carry more weight. They all get points and handicap marks based on this.

From the last seven winners of the Grand National, five carried 11st+. The last three winners got a rate of 150+ and the 2016 race winner had a mark of 160.

Grand National betting tips

What Do You Need To Know About the Grand National 2021?

The horse racing and betting communities are delighted to see the return of this great race. Alongside Cheltenham and Royal Ascot, this three-day meeting is one of the most gambled-on events in the country.

  • Day 1: The festival begins with Liverpool’s NHS Day on Thursday, April 8th and features the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle.
  • Day 2: Ladies Day is on Friday but we all wait in anticipation for the big one.
  • Day 3: Saturday, April 10th is Grand National day. The big race is at 5.15 pm, estimated to be watched by over 600 million on TV worldwide.

The festival always starts with Grand Opening Day on Thursday, Ladies Day on Friday, before Saturday’s Grand National Day. The racecourse at Aintree usually hosts around 150,000 racegoers across the 3 days. Worldwide an estimated audience of over 600 million people tune in to watch the race on TV.

Things to consider about the Grand National and offers

Before putting your money on your favourite horse, there are a few Grand National odds that you should take into account. By paying close attention to these you can increase the likelihood of taking more money home after the Grand National results.

See below a few Grand National tips on things to consider when betting on Grand National 

1. Bet each way with odds between 12/1 and 33/1.
It is a false statement that big prices will get you to win the Grand National big bet. Look at the history of Grand National betting odds when Mon Mome won with 100/1 and Auroras Encore made the Grand National betting world stop with 66/1. You should stick to the best horses on the market and not let yourself taken in by names that will most likely be defeated in the end. When you want to win with Grand National betting, you ought to stay focused in the 12 and 33/1 range.

2. Stay away from public gambles.
Don’t waste your time by listening to everything you hear in the media related to hype, lady jockeys, colour and the name of a horse. These don’t count towards your bet and are regarded as false public games meant to confuse you. Stay detached of them and place your stake based on good research on form, horse and jockey previous performance, winning portfolio, handicapping and more.

3. Compare the odds at various sportsbooks.
To get the best value for Grand National betting, we recommend using a price comparison site to see what the top prices on offer are. Try to do so early in the morning of the race. As we mentioned above, many bookmakers will give you offers on the best odds guaranteed, that’s why site comparisons will help a lot and save time.

4. Go for extra places and odds of ¼ for place from 1 to 7 (at some operators).
A smart move when betting on Grand National is to have multiple accounts opened at the best bookmakers. And of course, betting each way is a good way to go. Professional punters will even combine a bet on 5 horses between 10 – 20/1 zone and choose to back them each way.

Odds and offers

5. Be patient.
Regardless of the event you bet on, it’s important to be a professional, yes, even if you’re an amateur bettor. All the more so when you bet on the Grand National. There’s a lot of luck that you can’t control and you shouldn’t add more money to your already-placed stake because of how excited you are about the likelihood of winning. Stay on top of your game and keep your bet proportionate. Bet as much as you’re comfortable Grand National betting and don’t go over the limit. Remember one thing: you can’t know for sure which horse will win the race no matter how well informed you are about its previous achievements or how inspired or lucky you feel.

Grand National Betting Latest

Bet on the Grand National today

Get the best Grand National Tips and odds for April 2021! With Grand National betting odds on offer all-year-round, the modern day punter has the opportunity to bet on the world’s greatest steeplechase at all stages through the year. The 2020 Grand National has been cancelled, but we’re already seeing some bookmakers offering odds on 2021’s favourites. You can always get into ante post betting throughout the year. The ante post markets will cover some of the most-likely Grand National tips for runners that head-up the market although it is highly likely that some of these horses will have much shorter prices when the race actually takes place.

With top tips on how to bet on Grand National 2021 and a good explanation on how bookmakers approach this event, you have everything you need for Grand National betting today. Use all your tools, do research and read as much as you can about the horses you wish to place your money on. Taking everything into consideration will boost your chances of winning, but they can’t, however, guarantee a win. With so many unpredictable things and situations, it’s hard to be 100% certain which horse wins, but looking at statistics and reading what other Grand National events have offered is definitely a big help.

Some of the 2021 key Grand National favourites include: 

  • Cloth Cap
  • Kimberlite Candy
  • Burrows Saint
  • Any Second Now
  • Magic of Light
  • Secret Reprieve

Plus, when you want to bet on a horse, don’t just pay attention to the horse itself, but also to its jockey and trainer. After all, winning the Grand National is a joint effort, therefore being attentive to all will pay off in one way or another. For example, for the Grand National 2021, the top jockeys are:

  • Noel Fehily;
  • James Bowen – a 16-year-old who has already won the 2017 Welsh National;
  • Sean Bowen;
  • Barry Geraghty.

The top trainers with runners at the Grand National 2021 are:

  • Paul Nicholls – with 57 runners in the Grand National since 2003;
  • Gordon Elliot – trainer of Presenting Percy
  • W. Mullins – trainer of Burrows Saint
  • Jonjo O’Neill – won the Grand National 2010 with Don’t Push It;
  • T. Walsh – trainer of  Any Second Now
  • B Ellison -trainer of  Definitely Red

Grand National Betting: best available bets

To start your Grand National betting, you will want to know which the best bets are to place. Casual bettors and seasoned players should know that six out of the last 10 Grand National winners have gone at odds of 25/1 or more. About ¾ of all the Grand National bets are usually each way bets.

Best bets

Here are a few of the best bets you should consider placing at the Grand National 2021, so take a look at the list below. Odds to the favourites will be updated as we approach the next Grand National:

  • Cloth Cap –  trained by Jonjo O’Neill will be hoping to give a first Aintree win.
  • Magic of Light – Had 10st 11lbs in 2019 and was rated 151.
  • Pleasant Company – another potential Willie Mullins runner, will be 13 years-old in 2021.
  • Anibale Fly – came fifth in the race in 2019.

The best place to bet

No matter how much experience you have with gambling, you will definitely want to look for the best operator to wager your bet with. And the best place to start is usually with the most famous operators because they know the game and will have specific offers and competitive odds for you.

During the week leading up to the Grand National 2021 , you will see how each major operator will shift its promotions for Grand National betting and pile up lots of regular and one-time offers for new and existing members. Finding out which is for you is paramount in maximising your winnings. Good luck!

Grand National History

The Grand National foundation stone was laid on February 7, 1829 by its founder, William Lynn. While there isn’t an exact date concerning the very first official Grand National event, this is believed to have been held sometime in 1836 when the race was won by The Duke. Over the years, the Grand National went through countless changes that, despite some more dramatic ones, have only strengthen its reputation and name. For example, there were no races held between 1941 to 1945, during the Second World War.

Plus, in 1993, the Grand National was declared void for the first time and became, as the famous commentator Peter O’Sullevan put it: “the greatest disaster in the history of the Grand National.” It was a historical event that “never really happened” due to a lack of communication that led 30 out of 39 jockeys to start the race when the start hasn’t been set yet officially.

Bet on horses

Grand National Winners

Grand National winners automatically enter racing folklore. Even the 2020 Virtual Grand National winner, Potters Corner! Here are the past ten winners of the real race, the most wagered-on event in the UK:

  • 2019 – Tiger Roll
  • 2018 – Tiger Roll
  • 2017 – One For Arthur
  • 2016 – Rule The World
  • 2015 – Many Clouds
  • 2014 – Pineau De Re
  • 2013 – Auroras Encore
  • 2012 – Neptune Collonges
  • 2011 – Ballabriggs
  • 2010 – Don’t Push It