Unlock your winning potential with daily...
Grand National Free Bets
The world's greatest steeple chase is one of the most popular racing and betting events of the year, with plenty of free bets up for grabs with betting sign-up offers and bookmaker bonuses available to claim. Check out the latest free bet offers below or head to our Grand National Tips Centre for the latest tips from our expert team.
Get £30 in Free Bets when you place any bet with Sky Bet!
New customers only. First single & e/w bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non withdrawable. Free bets expire after 30 days. Eligibility restrictions and further t&cs apply. 18+. Gambleaware.org
Get £30 in Free Bets when you place a £5 bet on Cheltenham!
New Customer offer - Use promo code YSKAST. Place a min £5 bet on the sportsbook at odds of min EVS (2.0) and get £30 in free bets. Free bet rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via Debit Cards & Apple Pay will qualify for this offer. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly
Get £20 in Free Bets when you place a £5 bet!
New Customer offer. Place a min £5 bet, get £20 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via cards or Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble ResponsiblyBet £5 on Racing Get £30 in Free Bets
- Great offer for racing customers
Get £20 in Free Bets when you place a £5 bet!
Bet Anything Get £40 in Free Bets!
- Fast withdrawals
- Great user experience
Get £30 in Free Bets When You Bet £10 on The Betfair Exchange!
Bet £5 Get £30 in Free Bets!
Bet Anything Get £40 in Free Bets!
- Fast withdrawals
- Great user experience
Best Grand National Betting Offers for 2025
The Grand National offers one of the most tempting betting opportunities of the year, with a huge field and a history of big-priced winners, bettors love the Grand National.
This also means it is a great chance to claim some free bets with betting sign-up offers or existing customer bonuses, available from all our bookmaker partners!
Check out the best Grand National offers for 2025 above and claim your free bets!
The 2025 Grand National
The 2025 Grand National is shaping up to be an incredibly competitive race, with last year’s winner, I Am Maximus enduring a slow start to the season casting doubts over his chance of defending the crown.
Head to our Grand National Hub for the latest news, antepost tips, and more!
Latest Grand National Free Bets
With so many bookmakers trying to get your business for the Grand National, it can be hard to find the best offers from bookmakers you can trust. We regularly update this page with our partners’ latest offers so you can easily find the latest offers and claim your betting bonus.
Grand National Free Betting Tips
Picking apart the Grand National field can be difficult, with 36 potential runners from across the UK and Ireland. You can grab our free Grand National betting tips for all the top selections from Matt Brocklebank, Ben Linfoot and more!
Grand National 2025 Runners
The final field is yet to be confirmed but you can check out the latest updates in our Grand National Runners Page.
How to Bet on the Grand National: A Beginners Guide
Betting on the Grand National can be as simple as picking a horse with a name you like, getting a name in a sweepstake at work, or diving into the form and ratings to find the best handicapped horse. No matter your experience, here are some useful tips for betting on the Grand National.
- Take a look at last year’s race – You can check out some key Grand National Trials below, but last year’s race is always a good place to start as experience over the tricky fences can be vital.
- Don’t Panic – If your horse seems to be running towards the back, don’t panic! Over such a long distance this can be a deliberate tactic to avoid jumps in a big crowd and ensure they have a chance later in the race.
- Pay Attention to Places – With up to 36 runners in the field, most bookmakers extend the place offering for each-way bets. For example, Sky Bet are currently offering 6 places meaning even more chances for you to get a return!
- Drama at Every Turn – The Grand National is truly unique challenge and with over 9 minutes of racing you can expect drama at every jump as each runner seeks to write their name in history.
How to claim your Grand National Free Bets
Claiming your Grand National betting offer is easy! All you need to do is take a look through the above offers, find the one that best suits you and click the link. Once you have made your account and met any qualifying criteria, you’ll be awarded your free bets.
Be sure to check the terms and conditions for each offer so you understand the qualifying criteria, this can be placing a qualifying bet or depositing a certain amount. Always check to make sure you understand the terms!
Getting the most out of your Grand National Free Bets
With so many free bets available, we’ve put together some useful information to help you get the most out of your free bets at the Grand National!
- Take a look at form: We highlight a few key trials that can often point to Grand National winners below, see who is proven over the distance or has experience over the iconic Aintree fences.
- Don’t always back the favourite: The Grand National has a rich history of big-priced winners, with 2022 winner Noble Yeats winning at 50/1!
- Bet Each-Way: Because there are so many runners and big prices in the Grand National, betting each-way is a great way to get a return even if your horse doesn’t win.
Top Betting Sites Offering Grand National Free Bets
All our betting partners are licensed by the Gambling Commission but we go a step further at Sporting Life, ensuring our partners are well known for their customer service and safety. So you can bet with confidence no matter which offer you pick from our site.
Are Grand National Free Bets Available to New Customers?
Yes! There are loads of free bet offers for new customers, ranging from no deposit free bets to enhanced odds offers. No matter what kind of new customer betting offer you want to grab you can find the best Grand National offers on this page!
What to Look for When Choosing a Grand National Free Bet
When picking a Grand National betting offer, it is important to look at all the offers available and find the best offer for you. Check out a few tips of what to look out for to find your perfect offer:
- Compare Bookmakers – When picking your offer, take a second to look at what other benefits that bookie offers, whether it is acca insurance or a free bet club. Find the benefits that suit how you bet!
- Compare across Sports – Generally speaking, offers that are specific to a sport are more generous than generic offers. The limitation is that your free bets are normally tied to that specific sport, but if that’s all you want to bet on then it’s a great way to get more free bets.
- Read the T&Cs – All our bookmakers are transparent of how to claim your offer but there are always qualifying actions you need to do. Make sure you read them so you aren’t disappointed.
- Check the expiry date – Free bets have expiry dates, usually between 7-20 days. Make sure you see how long you have to use them otherwise you’ll lose them!
Key Grand National Trials
When trying to find clues to the Grand National winner it is important to look at some key trials and past form, to see who could be up to landing the valuable prize.
Paddy Power Chase, Leopardstown, December
The Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown is one of the key indicators for Grand National performance. Won in 2024 by Perceval Legallois and 2023 by Meetingofthewaters (both fancied for the 2025 Grand National).
The 3m chase is one of the key Grand National Trials in Ireland and is known for attracting ultra-competitive fields and plenty of runners, helping prepare the horses for the challenges of a 36-runner Grand National.
Coral Gold Cup Chase, Newbury, November
One of the first big clues for UK trainers, the Coral Gold Cup Chase is run over 3m1f and the most recent renewal was won by Kandoo Kid for Paul Nicholls, another horse strong in the Grand National betting.
Offering a stern test and 21 fences to jump it is a key piece of preparation for any Grand National hopeful.
Bobbyjo Chase, Fairyhouse, February
Won by I Am Maximus before he won the Grand National in 2024, the Bobbyjo Chase may not attract the biggest field but it is a stern test and great preparation for the Grand National. The latest renewal was won by Nick Rockett for Willie Mullins.
Last Year’s Grand National
It may seem obvious, but the unique test of stamina and challenging fences makes the Grand National a one-of-a-kind event. Looking at who performed well, both in stamina and jumping ability, the previous year is often a great place to start.
While winning a Grand National on a first appearance isn’t particularly out of the ordinary, you will see plenty of progression from those with experience over the Grand National fences.
Other Grand National Trials
A few other trials that are closer to the Grand National take place at Cheltenham. With the Cross-Country Chase offering a similar variety of obstacles to the Grand National and the Ultima Handicap Chase bringing together some of the best stayers for a stern test of stamina.
When is the Grand National?
The 2025 Grand National Festival takes place over 3 days, from the 3rd – 5th of April. The Grand National itself will take place on Saturday 5th of April.
Where does the Grand National take place?
The Grand National has been held every year at Aintree Racecourse since 1829. Aintree Racecourse is located in the northern part of Liverpool.
Famous Grand National Fences
The Grand National course is a unique test of stamina and skill, with the jumps that make up the course famous across the racing world. Take a look at some of the most famous jumps from the race below:
Becher's Brook
The most famous jump in the whole race is Becher's Brook, which owes it's name to Captain Martin Becher who landed in the ditch on the other side of the jump when unseated in the first ever Grand National.
The jump originally consisted of an 8ft-wide brook with a fence just before the water, to add to the challenge the landing side was 3ft lower than the take-off side. The jump has been remodelled twice to reduce the difference in height between the landing and take-off side and make the jump safer.
Canal Turn
One of the most challenging jumps in the race, the Canal Turn is a 5ft high, 7ft-wide fence, which is not too unusual for a Grand National fence. The challenge comes from the 90-degree the jump takes place over, with runners often crowding towards the inside of the jump to take a shorter route.
The Chair
The highest fence in the race at 5ft 2", the Chair is a unique challenge as the landing side is higher than the take-off side. It's only jumped once during the race on the first circuit and is named after the chair the distance judge used to sit on to gauge the winning distance of the race.
Foinavon
Foinavon at first glance looks like most of the other fences on the course, with the iconic stacked branches standing at a height of 4ft 6". The fence gained it's name and notable status during the 1967 Grand National, when just a single runner, Foinavon, managed to succesfully jump the fence after multiple horses shied from the jump, causing chaos. Foinavon went from last to first place and won the race.
What time does the Grand National start in the UK?
The Grand National had it start time moved forward in 2024, with the race now due to start at 4pm.
How long is the Grand National?
The Grand National is the longest jump horse race in the UK. It takes place over 4 miles and 2 and a half furlongs and features a range of different jump types for horse and jockey to navigate. The race usually takes around 9 minutes, however ground conditions can have a big impact on the finishing time.
How do horses qualify for the Grand National?
While there are no qualification races for the Grand National, there are some criteria that horses must match in order to run in the Grand National:
- Each horse must be officially handicapped, with a rating of 125 or more
- They must have competed in three or more steeplechases during their careers, including one in the current season.
- Must have finished first, second, third, or fourth in a steeplechase over an official distance of 2m7f or beyond during its career.
- Horses must pass veterinary checks to ensure fitness.
After meeting these criteria, horses are assigned a weight based on their Official Rating from the BHA. Of those given a rating only the top 36 will run. However, should those with higher ratings decided not to run or be unable to run, those further down the list are then able to compete.
Who won the Grand National?
The latest Grand National was won by the Willie Mullins’ horse I Am Maximus, under a great ride by jockey Paul Townend.
Previous Grand National Winners
Check out a list of previous Grand National winners below, plus their jockey and trainer:
2024: I Am Maximus J: Paul Townend, T: Willie Mullins – 7/1 ISP.
2023: Corach Rambler J: Derek Fox, T: Lucinda Russell – 8/1 ISP.
2022: Noble Yeats J: Sam Waley-Cohen, T: Emmet Mullins – 50/1 ISP.
2021: Minella Times J: Rachael Blackmore, T: Henry de Bromhead – 11/1 ISP.
2019: Tiger Roll J: Davy Russell, T: Gordon Elliott – 4/1 ISP.
2018: Tiger Roll J: Davy Russell, T: Gordon Elliott – 10/1 ISP.
2017: One For Arthur J: Derek Fox, T: Lucinda Russell – 14/1 ISP.
2016: Rule The World J: D.J. Mullins, T: Mouse Morris – 33/1 ISP.
2015: Many Clouds J: Leighton Aspell, T: Oliver Sherwood – 25/1 ISP.
2014: Pineau De Re J: Leighton Aspell, T: Dr Richard Newland – 25/1 ISP.
Check out our Grand National Runners Page for more detail on past winners!
Where can I watch the Grand National live in the UK?
The Grand National will be shown live on ITV alongside other races from the card, with programming running from around 2pm to 4:30pm.
Free Grand National Online Stream
You can live stream the Grand National on ITVX once you have an account or you can also get a free livestream of the race with all our bookmaker partners once you have placed a bet!
Other Grand Nationals
There are a few other Grand Nationals held in the UK and Ireland, but none of them quite compare to the unique test and challenges of the Grand National. Most of the below Grand Nationals are used as preparation runs for the Grand National the following year.
There are very few same-season winners of multiple Grand Nationals, however one of the most famous is Earth Summit who won the Welsh Grand National and Grand National in the same year. He is also the only horse to win the Welsh Grand National, Scottish Grand National, and Grand National!
Welsh Grand National
The Welsh Grand National takes place every year on 27th December as part of the busy Christmas racing program. It is hosted at Chepstow racecourse over a distance of 3m6f with 23 fences to be jumped.
The time of year makes it a notoriously difficult race, with ground conditions often soft or heavy – with the race occasionally being abandoned due to the conditions. The 2024 edition was won by Val Dancer for trainer Mel Rowley.
While it is a distinctly challenging race, there are very few winners who have also won a Grand National, with Bindaree winning the Grand National in 2002 and Welsh Grand National in 2003 and Silver Birch who won the Welsh Grand National in 2004 and the Grand National in 2007.
Scottish Grand National
The Scottish Grand National is held at Ayr racecourse in April, after the Grand National and before the first week of May. Held over a distance of 4 miles and featuring 27 fences, it does share some similarities with the Grand National.
The 2024 edition was won by MacDermott for Willie Mullins and played a huge part in the trainer winning the UK Champion Trainers title that year.
Due to its proximity to the Grand National, winning both races is incredibly difficult but the iconic Red Rum managed to win both in the same season – a feat that hasn’t been neared for over 50 years. Other horses who won both, albeit in different seasons, are Little Polvier and Earth Summit.
Irish Grand National
The Irish Grand National is a 3m5f race the takes place at Fairyhouse racecourse during their Easter racing festival and features 24 fences to jump. The 2024 edition was won be Intense Raffles for trainer Thomas Gibney.
The Irish Grand National faces a similar challenge to the Scottish Grand National when it comes to duel winners with the Grand National, with no horses managing both in the same season.
That being said, there are a few horses that recently have managed both including Rhyme ‘n’ Reason, Bobbyjo, Numbersixvalverde, and 2024 Grand National winner I am Maximus.
Midlands Grand National
The Midlands Grand National doesn’t quite hold the same weight at the major Grand Nationals, but it is a difficult test that trainers use to gauge their chances the following year in the Grand National. The 2024 edition was won by Beauport for Nigel Twiston-Davis.
It is held at Uttoxeter Racecourse every March, with a tricky 4m2f race featuring 25 fences. The race is often used as Grand National prep for the following year, something shown by no horse having won it twice!
Sign Up for Free!
The No.1 place for Sports Betting Insight, Data & Content.
- Watch Race Replays
- Follow & track your favourite horses, jockeys & trainers
- Get premium insight from our experts
Links
Browse our catalogue of sports free bets and betting offers.