How to bet on the Grand National
What is the Grand National?
The Grand National is one of, if not the best-known horse races in the UK. It takes place at Aintree Racecourse each year, and is run over four miles and two furlongs. With 40 horses and jockeys battling it out over a marathon trip, it truly is one of sport’s greatest spectacles.
How to bet on the Grand National?
Like all horse races, you can bet on a horse to win or you can bet on a horse each way. If you bet on a horse to win then you will only receive a return if your horse comes in 1st place and wins the Grand National.
If you bet on a horse each way then your stake (the amount of money that you bet) is doubled, half the money is placed on the horse to win, and the other half is placed on the horse to finish in the first three.
However it’s important to remember the rules of each-way betting. If your horse finishes first you win both the "win" and "each way" parts of your bet. If your horse comes 2nd or 3rd, you will only win the each-way part of your bet - which are ⅕ of the odds of the horse coming in 1st place. As an example:
- If you bet £10 on a horse to win at 5/1 you will receive £60 (£50 winnings + your £10 stake).
- If you bet £10 each way on a horse to win at 10/1 your total stake is £20 (10 on the horse to win, and 10 to finish in the top three). If the horse wins then you receive £110 (£100 winnings + your £10 stake). You also receive £20 more in profit (⅕ of 10/1 is 2/1) + your £10 stake for the each-way part of the bet - so a total of £140.
- If you bet £10 each way on a horse to win at 10/1 and it only finishes 3rd then you will only win the each-way part of the bet so a total of £30 (your £10 stake and the profit of £20).
Finally, as there is a much larger number of horses taking part in the Grand National, the each-way places will often be extended to four or maybe more which is why each-way betting on the Grand National is so popular.
Still confused about each-way betting? You can read more about it here.
How to pick the winner of the Grand National?
With past winners priced at 100/1, the Grand National is always a tricky race to solve and is part of the reason that it’s so popular. Just remember to make sure you understand the odds/probabilities of winning and losing and to bet responsibly. For more information on responsible gambling - click here.