Grand National 2026 Sweepstake: Free Printable & How to Run It

How to Run the Sweepstake

What you need

• This page (or a printed runners list)
• A hat, bowl, or bag
• Scissors
• An agreed pot and prize split
• One person to organise it (ideally not someone who bet on it)

Step by step

1. Collect the money first. Agree the entry fee before anyone draws a name. £1, £2, or £5 per person are the most common. Collect it before the draw — chasing people after is harder than it sounds.

2. Print and cut up the runners. Write or print each horse's name on a separate slip of paper. Fold them so nobody can see. Put them all in a hat.

3. Draw names. Each person draws one slip. With 34 runners and fewer than 34 people, some draw two names. With more than 34 people, either charge per entry (one name per entry) or run a second sweepstake for the reserves.

4. Decide what counts as a result. The standard version: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place pay out. See the prize splits section below.

5. Watch the race. The Grand National starts at 4:00pm BST on ITV1.

6. Pay out before the pub closes. Don't be that person.

Groups bigger than 34

With 40+ people, the simplest approach is multiple entries per person. Charge the same entry fee and each person draws one name — if you have 68 people, each name goes in twice. First drawn gets that horse, second drawn gets it as a double entry.

Alternatively, run a separate "reserve" draw for the six official reserves (horses 35–40). Reserves only pay out if they get into the race. Entry fee is usually half price.

2026 Grand National Runners — Sweepstake List

Cut these up and put them in a hat. Listed in weight order (highest to lowest). Final declarations confirmed Wednesday 8 April at 10am — check back then for any late scratches.

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| # | Horse | Trainer | Weight | Odds (approx) | |---|-------|---------|--------|---------------| | 1 | I Am Maximus | Willie Mullins | 11-12 | 8/1 F | | 2 | Nick Rockett | Willie Mullins | 11-11 | 20/1 | | 3 | Banbridge | Joseph O'Brien | 11-11 | 33/1 | | 4 | Grangeclare West | Willie Mullins | 11-10 | 10/1 | | 5 | Gerri Colombe | Gordon Elliott | 11-10 | 25/1 | | 6 | Haiti Couleurs | Rebecca Curtis | 11-10 | 20/1 | | 7 | Spillane's Tower | Willie Mullins | 11-8 | 33/1 | | 8 | L'Homme Presse | Venetia Williams | 11-8 | 25/1 | | 9 | Firefox | Gordon Elliott | 11-4 | 33/1 | | 10 | Monty's Star | Henry de Bromhead | 11-3 | 20/1 | | 11 | Spanish Harlem | Willie Mullins | 11-3 | 66/1 | | 12 | Iroko | Greenall & Guerriero | 11-1 | 10/1 | | 13 | Jagwar | Greenall & Guerriero | 10-10 | 12/1 | | 14 | Captain Cody | Willie Mullins | 10-8 | 25/1 | | 15 | Favori De Champdou | Gordon Elliott | 10-8 | 33/1 | | 16 | Fugitif | David Pipe | 10-7 | 40/1 | | 17 | Carefully Selected | Willie Mullins | 10-7 | 50/1 | | 18 | Corach Rambler | Lucinda Russell | 10-6 | 33/1 | | 19 | Croke Park | Gordon Elliott | 10-6 | 40/1 | | 20 | Delta Work | Gordon Elliott | 10-6 | 40/1 | | 21 | Meetingofthewaters | Willie Mullins | 10-6 | 50/1 | | 22 | Ain't That A Shame | Willie Mullins | 10-5 | 50/1 | | 23 | Panic Attack | Dan Skelton | 10-5 | 33/1 | | 24 | Party Central | Gordon Elliott | 10-5 | 50/1 | | 25 | Easysland | David Cottin | 10-4 | 66/1 | | 26 | Lord Napier | Nicky Henderson | 10-4 | 40/1 | | 27 | Mister Coffey | Gordon Elliott | 10-4 | 50/1 | | 28 | Mr Incredible | Joseph O'Brien | 10-4 | 50/1 | | 29 | Snow Leopardess | Charlie Longsdon | 10-3 | 66/1 | | 30 | Stellar Story | Sandy Thomson | 10-3 | 100/1 | | 31 | Ain't Nobody | Willie Mullins | 10-2 | 66/1 | | 32 | Caillou Du Berlais | Gordon Elliott | 10-2 | 66/1 | | 33 | Intense Raffles | Kim Bailey | 10-1 | 100/1 | | 34 | TBC | — | 10-0 | — |

Odds are approximate pre-declaration market prices and will change before race day. Final field confirmed Wednesday 8 April.

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Reserves (may run if a confirmed starter is scratched):

| # | Horse | Trainer | |---|-------|---------| | 35 | Johnnywho | Jonjo O'Neill | | 36 | Sandor Clegane | Willie Mullins | | 37 | TBC | — | | 38 | TBC | — | | 39 | TBC | — | | 40 | TBC | — |

Rules and Prize Splits

Standard prize split (most common)

With a £2 entry fee and 34 people, the pot is £68:

| Place | Prize | |-------|-------| | 1st | £40 (59%) | | 2nd | £18 (26%) | | 3rd | £10 (15%) |

Adjust the percentages to suit your group. Some offices do 70/20/10. Others add a "last place that finishes" prize.

Alternative: flat prize per place

If you want simplicity, pay a flat amount per finishing position. With a £1 entry and 34 people:

• 1st gets £20
• 2nd gets £10
• 3rd gets £4
• Organiser keeps £0 (pockets nothing — they've already done the admin)

What counts as a result

The official result is determined by the Racing Post, Aintree Racecourse, and the BHA. If there's a stewards' enquiry, wait for the official result before paying out. The placings after a National Hunt race stand unless overturned by the stewards — this is rare.

Non-runners

If your horse is declared a non-runner before the race starts, you get a free redraw from the remaining names. This is the fairest approach and avoids arguments.

If your horse falls or unseats early, that's racing — no refund.

Reserves

If a confirmed runner is scratched and a reserve gets in, the reserve counts as a full entry. Anyone who drew a reserve name in a secondary draw should receive the same payout as any other finisher.

Making it more interesting

Each-way sweepstake: Pay out on 1st–5th place (matching bookmaker each-way terms for the National). Split the pot: 50% for the winner, 10% each for 2nd–5th.

Jockey draw: Run a second sweepstake by jockey rather than horse. Adds a second layer if some people didn't get a competitive horse in the main draw.

First fence faller: A separate side pot on the first horse to fall at the first fence. Keep it light — £1 entry, winner takes all.

Grand National Sweepstake FAQ

When should I run the sweepstake draw?

Wednesday 8 April at 10am is when the final 34 runners are officially confirmed. Running the draw on Wednesday evening or Thursday gives you the most accurate list — no risk of drawing a horse that's subsequently scratched before the weekend.

If you want to run it earlier for convenience, do it after Monday 6 April when the field is largely settled, but be prepared for one or two late scratchings.

How many horses are in the Grand National 2026?

34 runners in the main race, with up to six official reserves. Each reserve is numbered 35 to 40. A reserve only runs if a confirmed starter is withdrawn before the race.

What if two people want the same horse?

First drawn, first served. The first person to draw a slip gets that horse. If you're running the draw for a large group and two entries go into the hat for each horse, both people with that horse share the prize if it places.

What if my horse falls?

If your horse falls, unseats the jockey, or is pulled up, you get nothing. That's the nature of the race — the Grand National has an average completion rate of around 40%. Expect roughly half the field not to finish.

Is a Grand National sweepstake legal?

Yes, provided it's a private sweepstake run for fun — no profit taken by the organiser, and entries are by invitation rather than open to the public. Private sweepstakes among friends, family, or colleagues are legal in the UK. Commercial sweepstakes operating publicly require a gambling licence.

What time is the Grand National 2026?

The Grand National starts at 4:00pm BST on Saturday 11 April 2026. It's broadcast live on ITV1. Racing at Aintree starts from 1:45pm on Grand National day.

Who is the favourite?

I Am Maximus is the ante-post favourite at around 8/1. He won the 2024 Grand National and finished second in 2025. Grangeclare West, Iroko, and Jagwar are all around 10/1. Full tips and analysis on our Grand National 2026 Tips page.