Grand National Free Bets 2026 - Best Betting Offers for Aintree
Craig Jones
Looking for the best Grand National free bets for 2026? You're in the right place.
We've compared every Grand National free bet offer currently available from UK-licensed bookmakers, so you can claim the best deal and get straight to picking your horse for Aintree.
Best Grand National Free Bets 2026
The 2026 Grand National takes place on Saturday, 11 April at Aintree Racecourse, with a 4:00pm start.
It's the biggest betting event in the UK calendar - around £250 million is staked every year - and betting sites pull out all the stops with their best sign-up offers in the run-up to race day.
We've done the legwork for you, comparing every major bookmaker to bring you the best Grand National free bets available right now.
Every offer on this page is from a UKGC-licensed operator, personally verified by the Free Bets team, and updated regularly as we get closer to April 11.
Worth knowing: Grand National free bets get better the closer you get to race day. Bookmakers often release enhanced offers and price boosts in the final week, so it's well worth checking back.
| Bookmaker | Grand National Offer | Minimum Deposit |
| bet365 🏇 | Bet £10 Get £30 Free Bets | £10 |
| BoyleSports 🏇 | Bet £10 Get £40 Free Bets | £10 |
| Paddy Power 🏇 | Bet £5 Get £30 in Free Bets | £5 |
| Sky Bet 🏇 | Get £30 in Free Bets | £5 |
| Betfred 🏇 | Bet £10 Get £50 in Free Bets | £10 |
| BetMGM 🏇 | Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets | £10 |
| Ladbrokes 🏇 | Bet £5 Get £30 in Free Bets | £5 |
| Betway 🏇 | Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets | £10 |
| William Hill 🏇 | Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets | £10 |
| Coral 🏇 | Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets | £5 |
Top Grand National Free Bets
Check out the top Grand National free bets currently available from the best betting sites.
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bet365 Grand National Offer 2026
bet365 is one of the most popular choices for Grand National betting, and it's easy to see why.
And new customers can grab £30 in free bets with bet365's Grand National free bets offer by signing up and placing a £10 qualifying bet.
What makes bet365 stand out for the National specifically is their each-way terms - they typically pay out on five or six places, which in a 34-runner field gives you a genuine safety net.
How to Claim:
- Open an account, deposit and place a £10 qualifying bet at minimum odds of 1/5 (1.20)
- Upon settlement, the free bets will be added to your account
- Valid for seven days from receipt
- Full T&Cs apply
BoyleSports Grand National Free Bets
BoyleSports has built a strong reputation as one of the go-to bookmakers for the Grand National, and they're well worth considering even beyond their welcome offer.
They regularly enhance their each-way place terms specifically for the race - up to six or even eight places in some years - making them one of the most generous options in the market.
If you're planning to back an each-way outsider, BoyleSports' place terms can make a real difference to what you walk away with if your horse makes it into the frame.
How to Claim:
- Open a new account, deposit and place a £10 qualifying bet at minimum odds of Evens (2.00)
- Upon qualifying bet settlement, BoyleSports will add a £40 in free bets to your account
- Valid for seven days from receipt
- Full T&Cs apply
Paddy Power Grand National Free Bets
Paddy Power are arguably the most active bookmaker around the Grand National every year.
Their welcome offer is one of the best available, but it's their ongoing Grand National promotions that really set them apart.
In recent years they've run a popular money-back special - refunding stakes as a free bet if your horse falls, unseats, or is brought down.
Given that only 16 horses from a field of 34 finished the race last year, it's a genuinely useful offer.
How to Claim:
- Sign up to Paddy Power using the promo code YSKAST and place a £5 qualifying bet at minimum odds of Evens (2.00)
- Paddy Power will then add £30 in free bets to your account
- Free bets valid for seven days
- Full T&Cs apply
How Grand National Free Bets Work
If you've never claimed a free bet before, don't worry - it's a straightforward process.
Here's exactly how it works.
You sign up with a bookmaker, make a qualifying deposit (typically £10), and place a qualifying bet at the minimum required odds.
Once that bet settles, your free bet is credited to your account - usually within 24 hours.
You then use that free bet on any Grand National runner you fancy.
The one thing to be aware of is that free bet stakes aren't returned with your winnings.
If you place a £10 free bet on a horse at 10/1 and it wins, you receive £100 in profit - not £110.
The £10 stake was free, so it doesn't come back - it's a standard condition across all bookmakers and nothing to be concerned about - it's simply how free bets work.
Step by step:
- Sign up with your chosen betting site
- Deposit the minimum qualifying amount
- Place your qualifying bet at the minimum odds
- Wait for it to settle - your free bet lands in your account
- Place your free bet on the Grand National
Types of Grand National Betting Offers
Not all Grand National offers are the same. Here's a quick breakdown of what's out there so you know what you're looking for.
Free Bets
These are new customer offers - sign up, qualify, and receive free bets to use on the race. If you haven't yet signed up with a particular bookmaker, this is the most straightforward way to get money to play with on the National.
Money-Back Specials
Unique to the Grand National and genuinely worth seeking out. Some bookmakers refund your stake as a free bet if your horse falls, unseats, or is brought down. Roughly half the field doesn't finish at Aintree, so this type of offer gives you a real safety net. Paddy Power have run this kind of promotion for several years running.
Price Boosts
Enhanced odds on specific runners or markets. A horse might be 10/1 across the board, but a bookmaker could boost them to 12/1 or 14/1 for a limited time. These are usually open to new and existing customers and are well worth using once you've settled on your selection.
Each-Way Extra Places
These are particularly valuable for the Grand National. Standard each-way terms pay 1/4 odds on five places, but several bookmakers offer more generous terms - sometimes six, seven, or even eight places. In a 34-runner field, those extra places can be the difference between a return and nothing.
Grand National Betting Offers For Existing Customers
Already signed up?
There are still plenty of Grand National betting offers available for existing customers.
From enhanced odds to money-back specials and free bets, bookmakers are rolling out great promotions for loyal customers ahead of the big race.
The key is knowing how to make the most of them, as many of these offers present genuine opportunities to boost your returns.
If you're aiming to turn a profit, a smart approach could be combining a free bet with an enhanced each-way offer; one gives you a risk-free bet, while the other adds extra value to your wager.
That said, it's important to choose Grand National promotions that align with your betting preferences and the characteristics of your chosen horse.
For example, if your pick tends to pull hard early or has fallen at the first fence before (which historically sees about two fallers per race), a money-back offer on fallers could be a shrewd move.
Similarly, if your horse is ridden by a well-known jockey, causing odds to shorten, you might benefit from locking in early prices with Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG).
That way, if the starting price ends up higher than your original odds, you'll get paid at the better rate; if the odds fall, you're already locked in.
Antepost Betting
An 'antepost' bet is placed on a race before the final field is known.
You can get far bigger odds about a horse if you place your wager ante-post, but you will lose your stakes if it does not run in the Grand National.
It's best to get confirmation from a trainer that he plans to run his horse in the race before placing an ante-post bet, as almost two-thirds of the original Grand National entries will ultimately not take part.
Non-Runner No-Bet (NRNB)
In the lead-up to the Grand National Festival, many bookmakers offer Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB) promotions, ensuring you don't lose out if your horse doesn't run in the chosen race.
If you're unfamiliar with Non-Runner No Bet, it means that if your selected horse doesn't race, your stake is refunded as cash.
Most top UK bookmakers offer this, making it a smart choice for those placing early bets.
| Bookmaker | Non-Runner No Bet |
|---|---|
| bet365 | Yes |
| Paddy Power | Yes |
| Sky Bet | Yes |
| Livescore Bet | Yes |
| Betfred | Yes |
| BoyleSports | Yes |
| Betway | Yes |
| BetGoodwin | Yes |
| Betfair | Yes |
| BetVictor | Yes |
Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG)
Many major betting sites offer Best Odds Guaranteed, a fantastic concession.
BOG means you will receive your Grand National winnings at the price you struck your bet or, even better odds, its SP (starting price) - if the SP is higher than the Grand National betting odds you initially accepted.
Extra Place Special Offers
This is definitely one of the best Grand National betting offers to look out for, as this will see your selection paid out as an each-way winner if you finish fifth and/or even sixth, seventh, or eighth.
Faller Offers
Another one of the popular Grand National betting offers is the ‘faller offers'. This offer returns stakes, typically as free bets, on bet selections which fall at the first fence. It can also apply to other fences, particularly the final fence, and it might see your stakes returned as cash or as bonus bets.
Enhanced Odds
Some bookmakers will boost the odds on your Grand National selection. The biggest enhancements are typically reserved for new customers, but race day could bring various exciting offers - we'll keep you fully updated.
Tote Betting on the Grand National
A wide range of Tote betting options will be available for the Grand National, including win, place, exacta, trifecta, and placepot bets.
Traditionally, Tote was the go-to platform for betting into UK tote pools via desktop and mobile, however, several online bookmakers have also started offering Tote bets in recent years.
On Grand National Day, the Tote pools at Aintree will be huge, offering exciting opportunities for bettors across all races.
Don't forget to check out our Grand National placepot picks at our placepot tips today.
Grand National 2026 Runners & Favourites
The 2026 Grand National is shaping up to be a fascinating renewal.
Here's where the market stands in mid-March - with final declarations not confirmed until Wednesday, 8 April, these prices will move, but the picture is becoming clearer.
I Am Maximus - Joint Favourite
The 2024 winner and 2025 runner-up, I Am Maximus is trained by Willie Mullins and heads the weights again in 2026. He ran a cracking race last year under top weight, finishing second, and his second place in the Grade 1 Savills Chase in December confirmed he's still at the top of his game. He'll carry a big weight, but when a horse wins the National and comes back the following year to finish second under more weight, you take him seriously.
Grangeclare West - Strong Each-Way Player
Third in last year's National and winner of the Bobbyjo Chase since then, Grangeclare West travels powerfully and jumps accurately - the two things Aintree demands above all else. He's right in the mix at current prices and looks an excellent each-way proposition.
Johnnywho - Cheltenham Ultima Winner
Won the Ultima Handicap Chase on day one of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival and his odds were immediately cut from 40/1 to around 16/1. That's a stat worth knowing - Corach Rambler won the Ultima and the Grand National in 2023. Johnnywho is a horse very much on the up.
Haiti Couleurs - Market Drifter
Had a remarkable 2025 season - won at the Cheltenham Festival, then won both the Irish and Welsh Grand Nationals. He was the antepost favourite for Aintree heading into the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but a disappointing run there has pushed his price out to around 25/1. If the Gold Cup run is forgiven, he still has a serious National profile.
Final Orders - Market Mover
Won the Cross Country Chase at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival and has seen his odds cut from 100/1 to around 25/1 as a result. Tiger Roll won the Cross Country race in 2018 and 2019 at Cheltenham before going on to Grand National glory. It's a pattern worth respecting.
Grand National Each-Way Betting
Many punters use their Grand National free bets each-way - and for a 34-runner race like at Aintree, it's one of the smartest ways to have a bet.
Each-way gives you a return if your horse runs into a place as well.
An each-way bet is two bets in one. If you stake £5 each-way, you're placing £5 on your horse to win and £5 on it to place - £10 total. If your horse wins, you collect on both parts. If it places but doesn't win, you collect on the place portion only. If it doesn't place, both bets are lost.
Say you back Grangeclare West each-way at 14/1, with 1/4 odds on 5 places.
- He wins: £5 x 14 = £70 win profit, plus £5 x 3.5 = £17.50 place profit = £87.50 total profit (plus your £10 stake returned)
- He places (2nd–5th): you lose the £5 win bet, but collect £17.50 place profit = £12.50 net profit
That's a nice return from a £10 outlay on a horse that doesn't win.
One thing to always check is the each-way terms before placing - standard Grand National each-way terms are 1/4 odds on 5 places.
But some bookmakers offer 1/5 on 6 or even 8 places for the National specifically.
More places is almost always better in a big field - and that extra place term can easily be the difference between a winner and a losing ticket.
Use our each-way betting calculator to work out your exact returns before placing.
How to Choose the Best Grand National Free Bet
There are more Grand National free bet offers out there than ever - so how do you pick the right one?
Here's what to look at.
Free bet amount is the obvious starting point, but it's not the whole story. A £40 free bet with tricky conditions can be worth less in practice than a straightforward £20 offer.
Qualifying bet requirements matter. Most offers require a qualifying bet at minimum Evens (2.0). Every Grand National runner will be priced above Evens, so this won't restrict you - but it's worth confirming before you sign up.
Each-way terms are especially important for the National. Two offers might both advertise £30 in free bets, but if one bookmaker is paying 1/5 odds on 8 places and the other is paying 1/4 on 5, the value is completely different for a race with 34 runners.
Free bet expiry is something to watch closely. Most free bets expire within 7 days of being credited. If you sign up too early, your free bet might expire before race day on April 11. We'd suggest claiming offers no more than 5–7 days out from the race.
Minimum deposit is usually £10 across the board. A few bookmakers allow lower qualifying bets once you've deposited, which can be handy if you want to get the formalities out of the way early.
Latest Grand National News
Grand National Betting Tips & Strategies
The Grand National is one of the hardest races in the world to call. The favourite has won only six times since 1999 - and Mon Mome won at 100/1 in 2009.
Here are the stats and patterns worth knowing when you're making your selections.
Back Horses Aged 8–11
Nine of the last ten Grand National winners were aged between 8 and 11. Younger horses are still developing. Older horses can and do win, but the sweet spot is firmly in this age bracket.
Weight Matters
Horses carrying 11st or less have the better historical record. That's not to say a top-weighted horse can't win - I Am Maximus carried top weight to win in 2024 - but it's a harder task. If you're looking for value, the mid-weight horses in the 10st 5lbs–10st 12lbs range are often where the smart money goes.
The Cheltenham Form Guide
The Cheltenham Festival takes place just three weeks before the National and it's the single most important form reference for the race. The Ultima Handicap Chase, the RSA Chase, and the Brown Advisory Chase regularly produce Grand National contenders. Johnnywho's Ultima win in 2026 follows the exact pattern that flagged Corach Rambler two years before his National victory.
Previous National Experience Pays
Six of the last ten National winners had run in the race before. The unique fences - particularly Becher's Brook, the Canal Turn, and The Chair - demand a jumping technique that horses develop through experience. Don't overlook a horse that completed the course last year without winning. Course experience is a genuine asset.
Spread Your Risk Each-Way
In a 34-runner field where around half the field typically fails to finish, backing three or four horses each-way across bookmakers with different place terms is a sound strategy. You're not just backing a winner - you're backing a horse to get round the course.
Grand National Tips
Got your Grand National free bets lined up? Here's where to spend them wisely.
The National is one of the hardest races in the world to call, but the stats point to some clear patterns year after year.
Our tipping team of Alan Kelly and Charlie McCann will both have free Grand National betting tips - check back later on!
Grand National Course Guide & Fences
Before you place your Grand National free bets, it's worth knowing what you're betting on.
The Grand National is unlike any other race in the calendar - 4 miles and 514 yards, 30 fences, two circuits of Aintree, and roughly half the field failing to finish most years.
Understanding the course can genuinely help you pick a smarter selection.
Here are the fences that tend to shape the race.
Becher's Brook (Fence 6 & 22)
The most famous fence on the course. It appears fairly straightforward on the approach, but the landing side drops away, catching horses off-balance and making it far trickier than it looks.
Named after Captain Martin Becher, who fell here in the very first Grand National in 1839 and took shelter in the brook, it remains one of the race's defining challenges.
The Canal Turn (Fence 8 & 24)
Jump the fence and immediately take a sharp 90-degree turn to the left - simple on paper, far less so at full speed in a packed field. Any horse that drifts right on landing can lose vital ground, making this a spot where positions can change - or races unravel - in an instant.
The Chair (Fence 15)
The biggest fence on the course at 5ft 2in, featuring a daunting 6ft open ditch on the take-off side. Jumped just once on the first circuit in the home straight, it's a fence that rewards bravery and precision.
Valentine's Brook (Fence 9 & 25)
Another fence that demands a bold, accurate leap. It may not carry the same reputation as Becher's, but it often catches out horses who have lost their rhythm at this stage.
In total, there are 16 fences to be tackled - 14 jumped twice, with The Chair and the Water Jump taken just once. Over such a gruelling trip, efficient jumping is just as important as stamina, with those who conserve energy and stay slick over their fences best equipped to finish strongly.
Can You Withdraw Grand National Free Bets?
You can't withdraw a free bet directly - but you can withdraw the winnings it generates. That's the key distinction worth understanding before you claim.
When a bookmaker credits your account with a Grand National free bet, you can't simply cash it out like a bank transfer.
The free bet has to be placed on a qualifying bet first. Once you've done that and your bet settles as a winner, the profit lands in your account as real, withdrawable cash.
The original free bet stake isn't returned - it was free, so it doesn't come back - but everything above that is yours to keep and withdraw whenever you like.
Here's a quick example:
You use a £10 free bet on I Am Maximus at 10/1.
The horse wins and you receive £100 in profit, which is added to your withdrawable balance.
The £10 stake isn't included because it was a free bet - but the £100 is yours to withdraw, typically via the payment method you used to deposit.
What About Wagering Requirements?
Unlike casino bonus offers, most sports free bets in the UK don't come with wagering requirements. There's no obligation to bet through your winnings a set number of times before withdrawing.
Once you've placed your free bet and it wins, the profit is immediately available to withdraw.
This is standard practice across all major UKGC-licensed bookmakers.
How Quickly Can You withdraw?
Withdrawal speeds vary by bookmaker, but most major operators process requests within 24–48 hours.
Some, including bet365, Paddy Power, and Betfred, offer near-instant withdrawals to verified accounts.
You'll need to have completed identity verification (KYC) with your bookmaker before your first withdrawal, so it's worth getting that done in advance rather than waiting until after the race.
What If My Free Bet Loses?
If your free bet loses, there's nothing to withdraw - the same as any losing bet.
The free bet is gone, but your real-money balance isn't affected (assuming you kept your deposit separate and didn't stake any of your own cash on the same bet).
How to Watch the Grand National Online in the UK
Thousands will descend on Aintree for Grand National weekend, which gets underway on Thursday, April 9, 2026, with the showpiece race taking place on Saturday, April 11.
The Grand National will be broadcast live on ITV Racing, bringing you full coverage of the day's action, including the big race itself.
If you're away from a TV at 4:00pm, most UK bookmakers offer live streaming so that you can watch every moment on your mobile, tablet or desktop.
Grand National Interesting Facts & Trends
Trainers & Owners
Irish-trained runners have dominated the Grand National in recent years, with seven winners since 2016. Rule The World (2016), Tiger Roll (2018 & 2019), Minella Times (2021), Noble Yeats (2022), I Am Maximus (2024), and Nick Rockett (2025) have all struck for Ireland.
Scottish-based trainer Lucinda Russell saddled the race winner in 2017 and 2023 with One For Arthur and Corach Rambler.
Female Jockey
Rachael Blackmore made history in 2021 when she became the first female jockey to win the Grand National aboard Minella Times.
Arriving on the back of a standout Cheltenham Festival, her landmark success proved that women belong at the very top of the sport and has helped pave the way for future generations to compete - and win - on racing's biggest stage.
Interesting Facts
- Horses beginning with the letter R have the best record in the race, and the Grand National has been won five times by horses with ‘Red' in their names, including the legendary Red Rum who won the race a record three times.
- If you love a grey horse, consider that only three greys have won the Grand National.
- Five Grand National winners have been priced at 100/1 - Mon Mome in 2009, Foinavon in 1967, Caughoo in 1947, Gregalach in 1929, and Tipperary Tim in 1928.
Grand National FAQs
When is the Grand National 2026?
How can I watch the Grand National?
How many horses run in the Grand National?
What is the Grand National prize money?
Can I claim a Grand National free bet if I already have an account?
What each-way terms should I be looking for?
What happens to my free bet if my horse falls?
Who are the Grand National 2026 favourites?
That's everything you need to make the most of the 2026 Grand National.
We'll keep all the Grand National free bets on this page updated right up to race day on April 11, so it's worth bookmarking and checking back - bookmakers often save their best offers for the final few days before the off.
Good luck at Aintree.
