Hundreds of millions of pounds are expected to be staked on the Grand National 2026, which takes place at Aintree today.
The world-famous steeplechase will see a field of 34 horses complete two laps of the racecourse near Liverpool on Saturday afternoon.
Starting at 4pm, the runners will gallop four miles, 2½ furlongs and jump 30 fences before crossing the finish line. The Grand National offers a £1m prize fund with the owners of the winner scooping £500,000.
However, millions watching at home will also be hoping to win some money by placing bets in the hope of backing the winning horse.
As well as betting on a winner, people can also place each-way bets – which can win punters cash even if their horse doesn’t finish first. Instead, the bet is on the horse to finish among the top handful of places, the specific number of which is determined by the bookmakers
If you bet to win outright – or “on the nose” – you either win or you lose. But if you bet each-way, you are making two bets with the bookie.
So, for example, if you bet £1 each-way, you’ve made two bets, which overall will cost you £2.
It means that if your horse wins at 12/1, and you put £1 on it to win outright, then you get your £12 returns plus your original £1 stake.
However, if you backed it each way, then you’ll get £12 returns plus your £1 stake. In addition, if the bookies offer 1/4 the odds for a place, then you’ll get another £3 plus your £1 stake. That means in the each-way bet you will win a total of £15 plus get the £2 you staked back.
If your horse finishes placed but doesn’t win, you’ll also just get your £3 returns and your £1 stake back.
Typically, bookies tend to pay out on at least the first five places for the Grand National. However, given the larger field and the nature of the event, the odds for a placed finish, and how many places pay out, vary depending on the bookmaker – so it is always worth checking your betting slip.
Here are what some of the major bookies said they were paying out ahead of the race this year as of Friday afternoon:
- Bet365 – Six places each-way, 1/5 odds
- Betfred – Six places each-way, 1/5 odds
- William Hill – Five places each-way, 1/5 odds
- Coral – Five places each-way, 1/5 odds
- Ladbrokes – Five places each-way, 1/5 odds
- Sky Bet – Seven places each-way, 1/5 odds
- Paddy Power – Six places each-way, 1/5 odds
- 888 Sport – Five places each-way, 1/5 odds
- Unibet – Six places each-way, 1/5 odds
- Betway – Six places each-way, 1/5 odds
- VirginBet – Six places each-way, 1/5 odds
Remember to gamble responsibly. We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit begambleaware.org.
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