Grand National 2027

The Grand National is the most famous jumps race in the world and takes place over spruce-covered fences at Aintree racecourse in Liverpool. It is one of the most iconic races in the world, renowned for its drama, the unique challenges it presents, and its thrilling racing spectacle.

The Grand National takes place on April 10, 2027, at 4:00 pm.

Check out all the latest Grand National tips and predictions for 2026 by the most successful horse tipsters.

It is the highlight of a three-day meeting in early April, known as the Randox Grand National Festival. The Festival features many of the top horses from the Cheltenham Festival competing against each other again. There are often great Grand National betting offers to be found with many bookmakers.

The Grand National is the cherry on top of this week of top-class racing and one of the undoubted highlights of the National Hunt season. It is a race where the best horses from the UK and Ireland compete for a fantastic prize fund, prestige and a place in history.

If you are new to gambling online, check out our guide on how to place bets on the 2026 Grand National race. The guides we have provide information on all previous Grand National-winning favourites, as well as essential details such as Grand National start times and the official Grand National handicap weights for all the fancied horses.

The Grand National itself is the most popular betting race of the year and is watched by a global TV audience of around 600 million people.

Famous Grand National previous winners have included household names, such as Red Rum (1973, 1974, 1977), Tiger Roll (2018, 2019), and Aldaniti (1981).

Find out more about the big race in our full Grand National Guide:

Race Overview – The Randox Grand National 2026

The Aintree Grand National is a handicap chase over an extended four miles, with a total of thirty fences to be jumped. It is one of the most gruelling races in the world; horse and jockey need a blend of stamina, guts, accurate jumping and luck to win the race. 

It was first run in 1839, with victory going to the appropriately-named Lottery.

The 30 Grand National fences are large and include what have become household names, such as the notorious Becher’s Brook, Valentine’s and The Chair, where many races have been won and lost over the years. Chair one is on the first lap and was once where a distance judge sat in the first years of the prestigious event.

Check out the Aintree 2026 Grand National Course Map Guide video.

Only four other races take place over the Grand National fences at Aintree each season: The Grand Sefton Chase and The Becher Chase in December, and The Topham Trophy and Fox Hunters’ Chase at the Grand National Festival meeting.

The 2026 Grand National is the most valuable steeplechase in Europe with prize money of £1 million, the winner reciving a whopping £375,000. It’s a race owners, trainers and jockeys dream of winning. And horses too!

There have been changes to the Grand National course and entry system in recent years. This has been done to improve the safety of both horse and rider. That said, it remains a gruelling test and one of the most coveted prizes in the world of sport. Every year it produces a race to the saviour and a great story behind it. Discover more about the Grand National’s £1m prize money with our detailed breakdown.

Grand National betting is available year-round but begins in earnest with the publication of the weights in mid-February.

This top horse racing event is broadcast live on ITV (by the excellent ITV Racing team) and is watched by millions of racing fans throughout the world. However, you will be able to live stream the Grand National via an online bookmaker’s website or betting app (providing you have an online betting account), should you not be near a TV. You need not miss the action whenever you are!

The race is naturally one of the favourite races of the teams here at British Racecourses.

Randox sponsors the 2026 Grand National, and the likely favourite is Delta Work. Randox is an official partner of the National, sponsoring the event and agreeing to a five-year contract.

Many of the best horse racing betting sites will also have fantastic sign-up offers for new customers, whilst existing customers can also benefit from enhanced place terms (sometimes down to seventh place), money-back offers, a wide range of special bets and sometimes even free bets.

Randox Grand National Tips

If you are looking to place a bet in the run-up to the race, keep a close eye on the market leaders to see if odds are shortening or wager early in the ante-post betting odds markets to find greater value.

If you are lucky enough to win on the Grand National, use our Grand National bet calculator to work out your winnings.

If you are looking for more horse racing tips for events held at Aintree Racecourse, then check out our Aintree betting tips guide.

For all Aintree races, our best best racing tipsters give free horse racing tips!

Famous Aintree Grand National Winners and Losers

Both winners and losers of the race go down in history; some great horses have included the following:

Red Rum – The Grand National Iconic

Red Rum is the only horse to win three Aintree Grand Nationals.

His first time came in 1973, and it is remembered as one of the most thrilling Grand Nationals ever run. He went from an impossible position to wear down the long-time leader, Crisp, who was a superb and talented Australian chaser.

He then defeated L’Escargot in 1974, with the runner-up gaining his revenge the following year.

Rag Trade defeated Red Rum in 197,6 but he returned to gain a record third success at the age of 12 in 1977.

Devon Loch – The Most Unlucky Loser

Crisp is not the only unlucky loser to go down in Grand National folklore.

The most famous loser in the history of the race was Devon Loch, owned by Her Majesty The Queen Mother.

He was clear on the run-on in 1956, only to spook at something and come to an abrupt halt. He seemingly jumped a shadow with the winning post in sight.

Aldaniti – A Heart-Warming Story

The Grand National produced another epic story in 1981 when Bob Champion rode Aldaniti to victory.

Champion recovered from cancer to ride in the race while his mount had returned from a career-threatening injury.

The race inspired the movie “Champions”, starring John Hurt and Edward Woodward.

The Race That Never Was

In 1993, the race was declared void after several jockeys failed to realise there had been a false start.

Jockey John White completed the course in front of Esha Ness, only to be informed of the chaos behind him after passing the post.

Bomb Threat Cancellation

Four years later, the race had to be abandoned on the Saturday after the course was cleared in the wake of a bomb threat.

The race eventually took place on Monday, with Tony Dobbin winning aboard Lord Gyllene.

Key Grand National Trials

Previous form over the big Aintree fences is a plus when assessing your Grand National tips.

Some horses do not take to the fences, and you will know your fate very early in the race.

Ten of the last 12 Grand National winners had at least one previous run at Aintree racecourse.

Horses that raced at the Cheltenham Festival the previous month also do well here.

The Cross Country Chase was the stepping-stone to the National for Tiger Roll in 2018 and 2019. Don’t Push It and Pineau De Re had warmed up for Aintree by running in the Pertemps Hurdle Final, and Many Clouds had finished sixth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup; he was also a great Hennessy Gold Cup winner.

The Haydock Park Grand National Trial, Eider Chase, Cheltenham Cross Country Chase, Ladbrokes Trophy Chase and Welsh Grand National (Coral Welsh National) have provided surprisingly few Aintree clues. These events can be very testing, and the winners often leave their Grand National may hope behind by having such a hard race.

Grand National Previous Winners

Check out the previous winners for this race:

Year	Winner	Age	Jockey	Trainer
2013	Auroras Encore	11	Ryan Mania	Sue Smith
2014	Pineau de Re	11	Leighton Aspell	Richard Newland
2015	Many Clouds	8	Leighton Aspell	Oliver Sherwood
2016	Rule The World	9	David Mullins	Mouse Morris
2017	One For Arthur	8	Derek Fox	Lucinda Russell
2018	Tiger Roll	8	Davy Russell	Gordon Elliott
2019	Tiger Roll	9	Davy Russell	Gordon Elliott
2021	Minella Times	8	Rachael Blackmore	Henry de Bromhead
2022	Noble Yeats	7	Sam Waley-Cohen	Emmet Mullins
2023	Corach Rambler	9	Derek Fox	Lucinda Russell
2024	I Am Maximus	8	Paul Townend	Willie Mullins
2025	Nick Rocket	8	Patrick Mullins	Willie Mullins
2026	I Am Maximus	10	Paul Townend	Willie Mullins

Grand National Betting Trends

Betting on the Grand National is regarded as a bit of a lottery, and recent results certainly support that theory.

Mon Mome was a shock winner at 100-1 in 200,9 with Auroras Encore returning at 66-1 in 2013. Neptune Collonges (2012) and Rule The World (2016) both won at 33-1, while Pineau De Re (2014) and Many Clouds (2015) were both 25-1 outsiders. 2022 winner Noble Yeats was 50-1.

Before Mon Mome’s victory, Foinavon (1967) had provided the biggest Grand National betting upset when scoring at 100-1. His success came when he was the only horse to navigate the 23rd fence after loose horses caused havoc. The wall, the smallest on the course, is now named after him. Another famous wall is the ninth, one that was jumped fence hind legs first in 1840.

There have only been two clear favourites to oblige in recent years, Hedgehunter in 2005 and Tiger Roll in 2019.

Don’t Push It (2010) was the joint-favourite after a significant gamble on Tony McCoy’s mount on the day of the race.

Aintree Grand National Stats

Here are some top Grand National facts:

• The class of Grand National entries has improved in line with the safety improvements.
• Horses rated 148 and over have the best recent record in the race.
• Following a run of three consecutive eleven-year-olds, horses aged 7, 8 or 9 have won the last six renewals (as of 2022)
• The last twelve-year-old to win was Amberleigh House in 2004.
• Stamina is a key factor in finding the Grand National winner. All but one of the last twelve winners had won at least once over three miles or further.
• All of them had raced ten or more times over fences and at least three times during the current season.
• It is part of the Grand National Festival, which has nine Grade One races as part of its programme, including the Aintree Bowl and Aintree Hurdle. The Grand National Festival is one of the major UK yearly sporting events, with the infamous Randox Ladies Day on the Friday.
• Winning the Grand National is often years in the planning for the owner, trainer and horse.
• Key trials to look out for include the Irish Gold Cup, Irish National, Welsh National, Haydock Grand National Trial, Kerry National, Leinster National, Cheltenham Gold Cup, Ultima Chase, Kim Muir Chase, Thyestes Chase, the Cross Country race at the Cheltenham Festival, and the Coral Gold Cup.
• Approximately 600 million people watch the race on TV worldwide to see the Grand National runners.
• Randox Health is the current sponsor of the race.
• Many bookies offer a free bet or free bets on the Grand National when looking to attract new customers.

Aintree Top Trainers and Jockeys at The Grand National Festival

Gordon Elliott has now won the Grand National race on three occasions: Silver Birch (2007) and Tiger Roll (2018, 2019). He needs one more winner to equal the record shared by George Dockeray, Fred Rimell and Ginger McCain.

This race has so far eluded Nicky Henderson, who finished runner-up with his first National runner Zongalero back in 1979.

The leading jockey in the history of the race is George Stevens, who won the race five times between 1856 and 1870.

Richard Johnson has ridden in the race 21 times without success, coming closest on What’s Up Boys, who finished second in 2002. He will take heart from the fact that Tony McCoy did not ride the Grand National until his fifteenth ride aboard Don’t Push It (2010). Other great previous jockeys include Ruby Walsh.

In 2020, a “virtual Grand National” was held after the race was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Summary of The Aintree Grand National

Grand National Day at Aintree Racecourse is one of the most exciting sporting occasions of the year. The big race happens on the third and final day of the Grand National Festival.

Approximately 600 million “once a year” punters have a flutter on the Grand National and watch the thrills and spills live from Aintree racecourse, on its unique national course, on their television sets.

Legends like Red Rum and Aldaniti have put horse racing on the front page of newspapers.

The winner of the Grand National is always remembered in history and is fondly recalled.

Tiger Roll was denied the chance to equal Red Rum’s record of three victories (Red Rum’s record third Grand National win came way back in 1977) by the Coronavirus Pandemic in 2020 (a Virtual Grand National was run in its place).

Best Grand National Betting Sites 2026

If you are looking to bet online on the 2026 Grand National, we recommend the following great 2026 Grand National Betting Sites:

• Sky Bet Grand National Offer

  BET £5 GET £30 IN FREE BETS

  

  £30 free bets when you register an account with Skybet.com or Sky Bet Betting App on the Aintree Grand National

  NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. FIRST SINGLE & E/W BET ONLY. 5P MINIMUM STAKE. 3 X £10 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS EXCLUDE VIRTUALS. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. NO FREE BET EXPIRY. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&CS APPLY. #AD 18+. BEGAMBLEAWARE.ORG

  Full T&C's Apply

• bet365 Grand National Offer

  6 HORSES CHALLENGE

  

  This Open account offer gives you £50 in free bets as a welcome bonus when when new customers deposit and bet £10 online.

  New & eligible customers only. Free Bets paid as Bet Credits. Game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply.

  Full T&C's Apply

• William Hill Grand National

  EXTRA PLACES

  

  Join William Hill Racing today using promo code Z40 to take advantage of this promotional welcome bonus offer for new bettors.

  18+. Play Safe. Min. runners apply. 1/5 odds unless otherwise stated. Full T&Cs apply. www.gambleaware.org #ad.

  Full T&C's Apply

• Ladbrokes Grand National Offer

  BET £5 GET £20 IN FREE BETS

  

  Newcomers can bet £5 to get £20 in free bets as a one time promotional offer on the Aintree Grand National.

  18+ New UK+IRE customers. Paypal and certain deposit types and bet types excluded. Min £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4 x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days on sports, stake not returned, restrictions apply. #AD

  Full T&C's Apply

• Coral Grand National Offer

  GET £20 IN FREE BETS

  

  Coral are offering new customers a chance to claim £20 in free bets as a promotional offer, just in time for the Grand National event!

  18+ New UK+IRE customers. PayPal and certain deposit and bet types excluded. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4 x £5 free bets valid for 7 days on sports, stake not returned, restrictions apply. #AD

  Full T&C's Apply

• Tote Grand National Offer

  BET £10 GET £30

  

  Tote have a Grand National offer for new customers of bet £5 get £20 in bonuses!

  New customers online only. Bet a min £/€10 at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater across sports or racing within 7 days of registration to qualify. Receive £/€20 Tote Credit, £/€10 Free Sports Bet within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool or sports bet added to bet slip. Voided/non-runner bets will not qualify; subsequent bet will be qualifying bet. 7-day expiry. 18+. One per customer. Selected customers only. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org. Full T&Cs apply.

  Full T&C's Apply

• BetVictor Grand National Offer

  BET £10 GET £5 IN FREE BETS

  

  New customers get £40 in horse racing bonuses as a welcome offer when you deposit and bet £10 on the Grand National.

  18+ New customers only. Opt in, deposit & bet £10+ on any Horse Racing market (odds 2.00+). No cash out. Get £5 in Horse Racing Free Bets. Free Bets expire in 7 days. Offer valid until 17:00 UK Time on 11.04.2026. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly

  Full T&C's Apply

• BoyleSports Grand National Offer

  6 PLACES INSTEAD OF 4 ON EACH-WAY BETS

  

  Boylesports are offering 6 places instead of 4 on each-way bets for the Grand National.

  18+. UK & IRE customers only. 1/5 Odds. 20+ must run for 6 places. Applies to Each-Way Market only. Race will revert to normal place terms if criteria not met. Antepost/void/combined odds/bets placed after the off/bets in-running don’t qualify. Acc & Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.

  Full T&C's Apply

You should make sure that your chosen bookmaker offers the “Best Odds Guaranteed promise, as the starting prices are almost always shorter, and you can be confident that all the ones listed above do. Many of them also offer free bets to attract new customers, with a qualifying first bet (Terms and Conditions apply). They also have a wide variety of betting methods and payment options.

If you do choose to bet, please bet responsibly. You can also find numerous promotional offers for the Grand National, specifically for online and mobile customers, using this comprehensive guide to the Grand National.

Related 2026 Grand National Betting Articles

Here are all the related articles to the Randox Grand National 2026.

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If you do choose to bet, please bet responsibly.