The Grand National is Britain’s biggest horse race and a betting tradition for millions. In fact, roughly 13 million people in the UK (about a third of adults) place a bet on the Grand National each year. It’s broadcast globally to an audience of millions of viewed and is famously popular even among those who don’t follow horse racing at other times.
Many people bet on the Grand National as their only flutter of the year – often picking a horse by a funny name or lucky number, so you may be new to this event... If that's the case don’t worry, don't worry, as this beginner-friendly guide will walk you through the basics of Grand National 2025 betting, from understanding bet types and unique factors to step-by-step instructions on how to place a bet.
Grand National 2025 betting guide for beginners
When is the Grand National 2025?
Grand National 2025 takes place on Saturday, 5th April, at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool. It's part of a three-day festival running from Thursday, 3rd April.
Types of Horse Racing Bets
Win Bet: You bet on a horse to finish first. Simple and straightforward.
Each-Way Bet: Two bets in one – one on the horse to win and one to place (finishing in the top 4 positions). Even if your horse doesn't win but places, you'll still get a partial payout.
Forecast & Tricast Bets: Forecast involves picking the horses to finish 1st and 2nd in the correct order; Tricast means picking the top three in exact order.
Accumulator Bets: Multiple selections combined into one bet. All must win to collect, but potential returns can be substantial.
What Makes Grand National Betting Unique?
Unpredictable outcomes: When it comes to Grand National betting, the favourites rarely win. Horses with high odds often succeed, making it a race where casual bettors picking by names or lucky numbers have fun and real chances.
Challenging Course: With 30 fences over 4¼ miles, many horses don't finish. Stamina and jumping ability matter as much as speed.
Ante-Post & NRNB Betting: You can bet months ahead (Ante-post) for better odds but risk losing your stake if the horse doesn’t run. Many bookies offer Non-Runner, No Bet (NRNB), giving you your stake back if your horse doesn't start.
Ladbrokes 2025 Grand National betting guide for beginners
Do Some Quick Research: Check if your horse has performed well recently, especially in long-distance races.
Watch Odds Movements: If a horse’s odds shorten significantly, it may indicate increased confidence from experts.
Consider Each-Way Bets: With so many runners, each-way bets offer a safer way to enjoy returns.
Manage Your Bankroll: Set a small, affordable budget for betting and stick to it.
Enjoy Picking Your Horse: If you prefer choosing based on fun factors like names or lucky numbers, go for it – the Grand National is known for surprises.
Select your horse, choose bet type (win or each-way), enter stake, and confirm your bet.
When is the 2025 Grand National?
This year's Grand National event takes place between April 3 and April 5, with the main event race taking place on Saturday, April 5.
Can you bet on the 2025 Grand National?
Ladbrokes is giving customers the opportunity to bet on who they think is going to win the 2025 Grand National, with I Am Maximus the front-runner ahead of this year's race.
