The Grand National is the most-bet race of the year in Ireland and Britain, and many people place their only bet of the year on it. The 2027 Aintree Festival runs from Thursday 8 to Saturday 10 April, with the Grand National on Saturday 10 April. This Grand National betting guide explains the race, how Grand National odds and markets work, each-way and ante-post risks with euro examples, and how to bet sensibly. Irish punters also look to the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday, 29 March 2027, which we cover below. This is a guide to how betting works, not a tipping service, and no horse is a banker.
- The Aintree meeting runs from 8 to 10 April 2027, and the Grand National is on the final day, Saturday 10 April.
- It is run over about 4 miles and 2½ furlongs with 30 fences, which makes it a marathon where luck plays a big part.
- Irish trainers have been successful lately: I Am Maximus, trained by Willie Mullins, won in 2024 and again in 2026.
- Ante-post bets are placed months ahead but you lose your stake if the horse does not run.
When is the Grand National 2027?
The Aintree Festival runs from 8 to 10 April 2027. The 8th is Opening Day, the 9th is Ladies Day and the Grand National is on the 10th. Check the race time on the day before you bet. The Irish Grand National is on Easter Monday, 29 March 2027, at Fairyhouse in County Meath, as the final day of a three-day Easter Festival that runs from 27 to 29 March.
What is the Grand National?
The Grand National is a handicap steeplechase run over about 4 miles and 2½ furlongs, with horses jumping 30 fences over two laps of the course at Aintree, Merseyside. It was first run in 1839, and the 2026 race was the 178th. The prize fund runs to seven figures and is shared among the first ten home. It has one of the biggest fields in racing. There were 34 runners in 2026, and large fields mean traffic problems, falls and loose horses.
The 2026 winner was I Am Maximus, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend. He was sent off as favourite at about 9/2 and became the first horse since Red Rum to regain the title after winning in 2024. That is a reminder that favourites do sometimes win, but it is not the norm.
What makes the Grand National hard to predict?
The Grand National is a marathon handicap over big fences with a large field. Weights are set by the handicapper to give each horse a chance, so the form is levelled. Falls, interference and plain luck play a big part, and big-priced winners are common. That is why many punters prefer smaller stakes, each-way bets and a budget agreed before the race.
What are the main Grand National betting markets?
Race winner
The core market, available ante-post and on the day. Prices shorten and lengthen as weights, going and withdrawals change.
Each-way
Bookmakers often pay extra places on the Grand National, such as five or six places instead of four, and the place fraction may be a quarter or a fifth. Here is a euro example with €5 each-way (€10 in total) on a 20/1 shot, with a fifth of the odds for six places:
- Wins: win part pays €100 profit, place part pays €20 profit (a fifth of 20/1 is 4/1), and you receive €130 including stakes.
- Places only: you lose the €5 win stake, and the place part returns €25 (€20 profit plus €5 stake). You are €15 up.
- Unplaced: you lose €10.
Check the number of places and the fraction with each bookmaker, and use the each-way calculator for your own numbers.
Without the favourite and specials
A “without the favourite” market removes the market leader, which gives better prices on the rest. Specials include the winning jockey, the trainer, the nationality of the winner and the number of finishers. Specials often carry a bigger bookmaker margin, so compare prices.
How do the weights work?
Every runner in the Grand National carries a weight set by the handicapper, with the best-rated horse carrying the most and the others carrying less according to their ratings. The idea is to bring the field together, so a horse that is a few pounds better than the rest is expected to carry a few pounds more. The weights are published months before the race, and the field is capped. The Jockey Club cut the maximum field from 40 to 34 runners from 2024 as part of a safety review. In practice, if more than 34 horses are entered, those with the lowest weights are left out, so a horse can miss the cut even if its owner wants to run.
A step-by-step plan for a National bet
- Decide your budget for the race and keep it small. Most people lose on the National.
- Choose whether you want a win bet or an each-way bet. Check the number of places and the fraction.
- Compare prices across a few licensed bookmakers, and check for best odds guaranteed.
- Wait for the final field if you are worried about non-runners, or take a price with non-runner no bet.
- Place the bet before the off, and note the terms.
- Do not chase a losing bet with a bigger bet on the next race.
What are the risks with ante-post Grand National bets?
Ante-post bets can be placed months ahead at bigger prices, but in most ante-post markets you lose your stake if the horse does not run, and there are many withdrawals before the race. The list of entries is long, but only a limited number of horses are in the final field, so a horse can miss the cut. Some bookmakers offer non-runner no bet as the race gets closer, usually at shorter prices. Rule 4 deductions can also apply to winning bets on the day if a horse is withdrawn late. Our horse racing guide explains Rule 4 with an example.
The Irish Grand National
The Irish Grand National is the biggest Irish handicap chase of the spring, run at Fairyhouse in County Meath on Easter Monday. In 2027 that is 29 March. Fairyhouse describes the BoyleSports Irish Grand National as the €500,000 highlight of its three-day Easter Festival, which offers more than €1.25 million in prize money. The same betting principles apply: compare each-way terms, watch the going and check non-runner rules. It is also the key trial for many horses heading to Aintree, Punchestown and the Galway summer festival.
What should you check before betting on the Grand National?
- The weights and handicap rating. Top weights carry the most weight, and the National is a stamina test.
- Stamina. Has the horse won or run well over three and a half miles or further?
- Jumping. Has it jumped well over big fences, and can it cope when a rival ahead falls?
- The going. Ground at Aintree is a big factor. Soft or heavy ground makes it more of a stamina test.
- Trainer and jockey form. Check who has runners and how they have been performing.
- Each-way terms and extra places. The terms can make as much difference as the price.
Grand National free bets and offers
Bookmakers advertise offers for the National, including free bets and extra places. We do not list live offers, because terms change quickly. Read our guide to free bets in Ireland before you claim one, and remember that a free bet is not free money.
Where can you bet on the Grand National in Ireland?
Bet only with a bookmaker licensed for Irish customers. Compare betting sites in Ireland and betting apps, and see how to check a bookmaker is licensed. New to each-way betting? Read bet types explained and use the bet calculator.
Bet responsibly during the festival
Big race weeks encourage bigger stakes, more bets and longer sessions than a normal card. Set a budget before you start, decide your maximum loss for each day and stick to it. Do not chase losses, do not bet to unlock an offer, and never use money that you need for bills. Most bookmakers licensed for Irish customers offer deposit limits and time-outs, and you should set them before the first race. If betting stops being fun, GamblingCare.ie offers free, confidential help on 1800 936 725, 24 hours a day. Read more on our responsible gambling page. You must be 18 or over to bet in Ireland.
The Irish Grand National is run at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday. Read our Fairyhouse racecourse guide and the guide to assessing a race.
Related guides
- Cheltenham Festival betting guide
- Punchestown Festival betting guide
- Horse racing betting guide
- How betting odds work
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2027 Grand National?
Saturday 10 April 2027, the final day of the Aintree Festival that runs from 8 to 10 April.
When is the 2027 Irish Grand National?
Monday 29 March 2027, Easter Monday, at Fairyhouse as part of the three-day Easter Festival.
Who won the 2026 Grand National?
I Am Maximus, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend. He also won in 2024.
Why is the Grand National so hard to predict?
It is a marathon handicap over 30 big fences with a very large field, so luck, falls and interference play a big part.
What is each-way betting?
Two equal bets, one on the horse to win and one to place, with the place part paid at a fraction of the odds.
Are Grand National tips reliable?
No. No tip is a guarantee, and favourites often lose.
Sources and further reading
- Aintree Festival 2027 dates (Cassidy Travel) – festival dates and days
- The Scotsman: Grand National 2026 facts – distance, fences, history
- Fairyhouse Easter Festival 2027 – Irish Grand National Day, 29 March 2027
- Horse Racing Ireland: bookmaker information – Rule 4 deductions
- SBC News: Jockey Club reduces Grand National to 34 riders from 2024 – the field limit
- GamblingCare.ie – free, confidential support
18+. Please play responsibly, gamblingcare.ie. This guide is independent editorial opinion; it is not a guarantee, endorsement or financial advice, and PunterIreland may earn a commission if you join an operator through our links.
Last updated 10 October 2026. Written and checked by the Punter Ireland editorial team. Offers, odds and rules change, so always check the operator’s own terms and the official sources above.
