How does each-way betting work on the Grand National?

Each-way betting divides your stake into two equal parts: one bet on your horse to win, another on your horse to place. For the Grand National, bookmakers typically pay out on the first four, five, six or seven places depending on their promotional terms. The place portion pays a fraction of the win odds, usually one-fifth or one-quarter. If your horse wins, both parts pay out. If your horse places but does not win, you collect only the place portion. With 34 runners and approximately 74-75% of all Grand National bets placed each-way, this approach suits the race's competitive nature and offers better value than straight win bets for most selections.

What is the best strategy for betting on the Grand National?

Effective Grand National betting combines historical trend analysis with disciplined bankroll management. Data shows favourites win only 20% of Grand Nationals, making blind support of market leaders a losing approach. Target horses priced between 7/1 and 25/1, carrying 10 stone 13 pounds or less, trained by handlers with proven Aintree records. Spread your budget across multiple each-way selections rather than concentrating on a single horse. Compare bookmaker place terms, as the difference between four and seven places significantly affects returns on outsiders. Set your budget before race day, complete selections in advance, and treat the event as entertainment rather than guaranteed income.

Which bookmakers offer the best odds for Grand National 2026?

Grand National odds vary between bookmakers, with promotional enhancements creating meaningful differences. Betfred uniquely offers seven places on each-way bets, substantially more generous than the industry standard of four places. Most major bookmakers provide Best Odds Guaranteed policies, ensuring you receive the starting price if it exceeds the price you took. Compare place terms, BOG conditions, and new customer offers before committing significant stakes. The best bookmaker depends on your specific selections. Seven-place terms benefit outsiders finishing toward the back of the places. Enhanced odds promotions benefit specific runners chosen for price boosts. Check multiple operators and place bets where terms most favour your intended selections.

Grand National Betting Offers 2027: Free Bets and Sign‑Up Bonuses

Updated September 2026

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The Grand National 2027 is already driving the most aggressive promotional wave of the year. Bookmakers view this weekend as their biggest acquisition event, justifying spend they wouldn’t sustain in ordinary months. With roughly 32% of Grand National bettors being first‑time depositors or long‑absent customers (per Entain’s 2027 pre‑race survey), the commercial pressure to attract and retain is at its peak.As Entain’s Greg Ferris noted ahead of the 2027 campaign: “The Grand National is a cultural moment, not just a race. It’s the one weekend where casual customers expect promotions, and we design our acquisition strategy around that expectation.” That mindset explains why the volume and variety of offers in 2027 exceed typical racing weekends by a wide margin.

Knowing which promotions suit your betting style, how to claim them correctly, and what restrictions apply helps you get real value rather than just chasing headlines.

Which firms attach them is in best bookmakers.

New Customer Offers (2027)

In 2027, new customer promotions are split into three main types: bet‑and‑get, deposit match, and risk‑free bets. Each has different mechanics and best use cases.

Bet‑and‑get offers require a qualifying wager to unlock free bets. A typical 2027 structure is “bet £10, get £40 in free bets”. The qualifying bet must settle before the free bets are credited, so punters planning to bet on the Grand National itself need to place an earlier qualifying bet (e.g. on a trial race or another card) to ensure the free bets are available for the main event. These deals suit those planning multiple wagers across the weekend.

Deposit match bonuses credit bonus funds equal to a percentage of your first deposit. For example, a 100% match up to £60 gives you £120 total to play with. However, bonus funds usually come with wagering requirements (e.g. 3x turnover before withdrawal). Always check the terms: a headline “£60 bonus” may effectively require £180 in bets before any winnings become withdrawable.

Risk‑free bet promotions refund your stake as a free bet if your first wager loses. This works well for Grand National bets because most outcomes are losses. A £25 risk‑free bet on a 12/1 shot returns nothing if the horse loses, but you get a second chance with a £25 free bet. The real value depends on how you use the free bet, but the promotion removes some of the anxiety around your first wager.

Data from early 2027 shows that 84% of Grand National stakes are £10 or less, which means many casual punters don’t fully benefit from large deposit‑match deals. A £60 match requires a bigger commitment than most recreational bettors are comfortable with. If you’re planning modest stakes, a smaller bet‑and‑get or risk‑free offer often matches your approach better.

New offers are announced in the weeks before the race. While comparison sites track promotions, terms change frequently. Always verify the latest conditions directly on the bookmaker’s website before signing up.

The wider context is set out in our Aintree betting guide.

Existing Customer Offers (2027)

Existing customers aren’t excluded in 2027, though the deals tend to be more targeted and less generous than new‑customer promotions. The most valuable options are reload bonuses, money‑back specials, and extra each‑way places.

Reload bonuses are similar to deposit matches but for existing accounts. A common structure is “deposit £20, get £15 in free bets” with the same kind of wagering requirements as new‑customer offers. Check the terms carefully before depositing.

Money‑back specials offer refunds in specific frustrating scenarios. Examples include:

Money back if your horse falls.
Money back if your horse finishes 2nd/3rd to the favourite.
Money back on each‑way bets if your horse misses the paid places by a short margin.

These promotions have real psychological and financial value: losing because of a fall feels worse than losing to a better horse, and these offers acknowledge that.

Extra each‑way places are among the most valuable promotions for Grand National betting. In 2027, several bookmakers are offering payouts on 5th, 6th, and even 7th place for each‑way bets during the Grand National weekend. This dramatically improves value for longshots. A 30/1 shot finishing 6th normally returns nothing on the place portion of an each‑way bet; with extra places, you get a payout. That makes hunting outsiders more sustainable.

Many existing‑customer offers require opt‑in via email, push notification, or the promotions tab in the app. If you don’t claim them, they don’t apply—even if you meet the criteria. Taking a few minutes to check your account before placing bets can reveal real value you’d otherwise miss.

Enhanced Odds and Price Boosts (2027)

Enhanced odds deals offer inflated prices on specific selections, usually with tight restrictions. A typical example in 2027 might be: “Grand National favourite at 32/1, max stake £2”. If the regular price is 6/1, a winning £2 bet at enhanced odds returns £64, while at normal odds it would return £12. The extra £52 is meaningful, but the maximum stake limit caps the upside.

Important nuances:

Winnings from enhanced odds often credit as free bets, not withdrawable cash. For instance, you might get £12 as cash (based on regular odds) and £52 as free‑bet stakes. Free bets expire and don’t return the stake if they win, reducing effective value.
Always read the terms to understand exactly what you’ll receive.

Price boosts are more flexible and widely available. Bookmakers regularly boost prices on selected horses throughout Grand National day. These apply to anyone (not just new customers) and usually don’t have strict maximum stake limits beyond normal liability. Checking for active boosts before placing your bet can improve returns without changing your selection.

Enhanced odds and boosts are most valuable when they align with bets you’d place anyway. Using them to chase promotions on horses you wouldn’t otherwise back turns strategy into speculation.

How to Claim Offers Correctly (2027)

Getting the value out of promotions requires attention to detail. Missing a single step can void the entire offer.

Promo codes must be entered at registration, not later. If the offer requires code GRAND27 during sign‑up, adding it after account creation won’t trigger the bonus. Write down the code and enter it in the designated field when creating the account.
Qualifying bet requirements vary: minimum odds, minimum stake, and eligible bet types (e.g. singles only, no accumulators). An offer might require odds of 1/2 or greater and count each‑way bets at half stake. Make sure your bet meets all conditions.
Time limits apply to most promotions. Free bets typically expire within 7 days, and some Grand National‑week offers are only valid between specific dates. Mark deadlines in your calendar if needed.
Wagering requirements determine when bonus funds become withdrawable. A 3x requirement on a £20 bonus means you must bet £60 total before the bonus (and associated winnings) can be withdrawn. Lower requirements represent better value; promotions with no wagering requirements are the most attractive.
Read the full terms and conditions. Headlines highlight benefits; terms reveal restrictions. A “risk‑free £25 bet” might refund as a 7‑day free bet with a 3x wagering requirement. Knowing this upfront sets realistic expectations.