James Maxwell
Founder & Editor · Last reviewed 2026-04-08
Grand National Betting Offers
The Grand National is the single biggest betting event on the UK racing calendar. More people place a bet on this one race than on any other, and the bookmakers know it. That's why the offers ramp up in the weeks beforehand — they're all fighting for your first bet of the day.
Every major bookmaker runs some form of promotion around the National. The most common types include free bets for new customers, money-back specials if your horse falls or unseats its rider, enhanced odds on the favourite, and extra places on each-way bets. Some of these represent real value. Others are dressed-up marketing that sounds better than it actually is.
This page breaks down what's typically available and which offers are worth your attention. We've noted where we can verify specific details and kept things editorial where we can't. Offers change from year to year and bookmakers update their terms regularly, so always check the latest conditions on the bookmaker's own site before committing.
One thing to be upfront about: most Grand National offers are aimed at new customers. If you already have an account with a particular bookmaker, you'll usually need to look at their existing customer promotions instead, which tend to be less generous. The National is one of the few events where existing customer offers do appear — price boosts, extra places, and money-back deals are common enough.
If you only bet once a year and the National is it, an offer that gives you a free bet or a safety net on fallers is a decent starting point. Just don't let the promotion dictate where you bet — pick a bookmaker you're comfortable with and treat the offer as a bonus, not the main event.
Best Offers for the Grand National
Grand National offers vary from bookmaker to bookmaker, and the specifics change each year. Here's what the main UK bookmakers typically put forward for the race, along with what we can verify right now.
Betfred
Betfred has a long association with the Grand National — they've been a sponsor of the race in the past and their branding is all over Aintree. At the time of writing, Betfred runs a new customer free bet offer that can be used on the National. Their racing pedigree means they tend to go bigger on this race than most, and they've historically offered money-back specials on fallers alongside their standard sign-up promotion.
What we can verify: Betfred has an active new customer offer. Check their site for the current amount and qualifying terms.
Bet365
Bet365 typically runs promotions around the Grand National, though the specifics shift year to year. Their standard sign-up offer is usually available, and they often supplement it with race-day specials such as enhanced each-way terms or money-back on fallers. Their Best Odds Guaranteed policy also applies, which matters on a race where the market can move sharply in the final hour.
What to check: Whether there's a Grand National-specific promotion on top of their standard new customer offer.
Paddy Power
Paddy Power likes to make noise around the National — it's their busiest day of the year. Expect their usual sign-up offer to be available, and they often run a money-back special if your horse falls at certain fences. They've also been known to offer enhanced odds on selected runners. Their promotions tend to be well-publicised and clearly worded.
What to check: Current new customer offer, any money-back faller specials, and enhanced odds availability.
William Hill
William Hill is another bookmaker with deep roots in horse racing. They generally have a sign-up offer running for the National, and they've historically run extra place promotions on each-way bets — paying out on more places than the standard terms. For a 40-runner race, this can make a real difference to each-way value.
What to check: Number of each-way places offered, any money-back deals, and current sign-up terms.
Ladbrokes
Ladbrokes usually runs a new customer offer for the Grand National period. They've previously offered money-back if your horse falls at a specific fence (Becher's Brook being the popular choice), along with enhanced accumulators across the Aintree card. Their standard sign-up promotion is typically available.
What to check: Current offer amount, faller money-back terms, and any extra place each-way deals.
Coral
Coral tends to mirror Ladbrokes in terms of the type of offers available, given they share a parent company. Expect a sign-up free bet and potentially some race-day specials. Their promotions for the National usually follow the same structure — qualifying bet, free bet credited, with additional specials layered on top.
What to check: Current new customer offer, enhanced odds on selected runners, and whether any existing customer promotions are running.
We've kept the specific monetary amounts out of this for good reason — quoting a figure that changes next week helps nobody. The exception is Betfred, where we can point to an active verified offer. For the others, the links to our individual bookmaker reviews have more detail on current sign-up terms.
Getting the Most from Grand National Offers
Use Free Bets at Bigger Prices
The Grand National field typically has 40 runners, with prices ranging from around 5/1 for the favourite out to 100/1 for the outsiders. If you've got a free bet, this is exactly the kind of race to use it on a longer-priced selection. Most free bets are "stake not returned," so backing a 6/4 favourite gives you poor value compared to a 16/1 shot you've actually researched. The expected value of a free bet increases with the odds — and the National has odds in abundance.
Stack Offers Across Multiple Bookmakers
If you don't already have accounts with several bookmakers, the Grand National is a good time to open them. You can use one bookmaker's sign-up offer for the big race and another's for the supporting card at Aintree. This way you're getting several free bets from one afternoon of racing rather than just one. Keep track of the qualifying requirements for each — they'll differ from site to site.
Pay Attention to Each-Way Terms
Each-way betting is where the Grand National gets interesting from an offers perspective. Standard each-way terms on a big handicap typically pay 1/4 or 1/5 of the odds for the first four or five places. Some bookmakers extend this to six, seven, or even eight places for the National. That extra place or two can be the difference between a losing bet and a return. Compare the each-way terms across bookmakers before you place — it takes two minutes and can add real value.
Check Money-Back Faller Deals
Money-back if your horse falls is one of the most popular Grand National offers, and for good reason. In a race over four miles with 30 fences, fallers are part of the deal. These offers typically refund your stake as a free bet if your selection falls, refuses, or unseats its jockey. The refund is usually as a free bet rather than cash, but it still removes one of the most frustrating outcomes of National betting. Read the terms carefully — some offers only apply to specific fences or to the first horse to fall.
Don't Forget the Rest of the Card
Aintree runs a full card on Grand National day, not just the big race. Some bookmakers offer promotions across the entire meeting, not only the National itself. If you've signed up for a free bet, check whether it can be used on an earlier race. The supporting races often have smaller fields and more predictable form, which might suit a qualifying bet better than the National's chaos.
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