Grand National Tips
The Grand National is the biggest horse racing event on the planet and attracts thousands of spectators to the Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool each year, as well as millions watching on TV from around the UK and the rest of the World. This is the one race that trainers and jockeys alike would love to win, as it will instantly put them into the history books. Here at Bet UK, you will be able to find our Horse Racing betting tips and previews right here all in one place. Get all of the information you need ahead of the big April showpiece, and head over to Bet UK’s online sportsbook to get betting odds from horse racing events in the UK and around the world.
2024 Grand National Race Tips
The Grand National is the world’s most famous steeplechase and this year’s running of the Aintree feature looks set to be another excellent renewal, as it has attracted some strong entries.
13:20 - William Hill Handicap Hurdle (3m½f)
CUTHBERT DIBBLE is a hugely progressive hurdler, commencing his season with a 12-length thrashing of his rivals over 2m3½f at Chepstow in January, before following up off 8lb higher over three miles at Haydock in February. Sent off favourite for the Pertemps at Cheltenham last month he ran on late to finish third behind Monmiral and he has a 5lb pull with that rival now.
13:55 - Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m4f)
Purchased for a staggering €740,000, the most ever paid for a National Hunt horse at public auction, CALDWELL POTTER comes here with a huge reputation. Now with Paul Nicholls, the six-year-old left his bumper form behind this season when getting off the mark over hurdles at Navan in December. He followed up when winning a 2m Grade 1 novice hurdle at Leopardstown at Christmas and he has been saved for this.
14:30 - William Hill Handicap Chase (3m1f)
CREBILLY looked like a horse crying out for a step up in trip when failing to land a gamble in the Plate Handicap Chase at Cheltenham last month, only finding the resolute Shakem Up'arry too good. He ran in snatches on the day, but was only getting going coming up the hill, so the extra 4½f should really suit. The handicapper only put him up 3lb which is fair and he looks sure to be in the mix.
15:05 - JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1, 3m½f)
With Teahupoo and Irish Point notable absentees, the door has been opened for the old boy SIRE DU BERLAIS to win a third Liverpool Hurdle in a row. The three-time Cheltenham Festival winner might be a 12-year-old now, but he proved age was no barrier when winning this race easily last year, and he was far from disgraced when fifth in the Stayers' Hurdle last month at Cheltenham. Drying ground would be a help for his chances.
16:00 - Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (4m2½f)
Point and shoot is the name of the game here as the winner will need plenty of fortune along the way. Chemical Energy is capable of running a huge race for Gordon Elliott and John McConnell's Mahler Mission could hit the frame, but a chance is taken on MR INCREDIBLE to pull off an incredible feat. Having refused to race in the past he comes with his quirks, but he's hugely talented. His saddle slipped in this race last year, unseating Brian Hayes after the Canal Turn the second time around. He has been kept very fresh since, with just one run this season when an eye-catching second in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter last month. He will stay and if he can get around he's got a huge chance.
17:00 - My Pension Expert Maghull Novices' Chase (Grade 1, 2m)
Hercule Du Seuil commands plenty of respect given his unexposed and progressive nature hailing from the Willie Mullins camp, but DJELO seems to be overlooked in the market. A winner over course and distance in a handicap on seasonal reappearance off a mark of 128, he landed the hat-trick in a Grade 2 at Ascot in December. He beat the subsequent Greatwood Hurdle second and Grand Annual winner on that occasion. Stepping up to Grade 1 company he ran well twice, coming home behind Grey Dawning when third in the Turners last month. This is easier.
17:35 - Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (2m1f)
Sold for £120,000 off the back of a fine third in a bumper at Fairyhouse on his debut, MA SHANTOU wasted no time when running out a ready winner on his first start for Emma Lavelle at Huntingdon last month when strong in the market. He is well worth his place in this field and, although it's a very competitive race, he stands out as one who could have plenty more improvement to come.
Everything you need to know about Aintree Grand National Races
Aintree Grand National: Races on Day 1
The opening day of the Grand National festival is a spectacle to behold starting on Thursday 13th April 2023, the festival builds up to one of the biggest races in the world, the Grand National but alongside Grand National tips, we also have a wide range of trends, tips and predictions for every single race of the event.
Manifesto Novices Chase
We start off the day with the Manifesto Novices Chase, which has been running for just 13 years. 12 British trainers have won during this time and the other success was an Irish winner named Menorah in 2012. If you start off your day of betting with the favourite, we would recommend steering clear for this festival as only one favourite has come out victorious but, the favourite has only failed to finish in the top four twice, both times due to a fall or pulling up.
Bet on the Manifesto Novices Chase
Aintree Bowl
Another popular race on day one of the Grand National festival is the Aintree Bowl, in the last 20 renditions of this race, we have seen 15 winning trainers from Great Britain, 4 winners from Ireland and one winner from France. However, France has had just four runners in this race and every single one of them has placed, the only winner came from 2001 but a French-bred horse called Clan Des Obeaux has won the last two races.
When the race first started back in the 80s, it was known as a race where the favourite may be upset by outsiders. However, in the last seven races, the favourite has won five. Could that be six from eight after 2023?
Aintree Hurdle
Another classic on day one of the Grand National festival is the Aintree Hurdle. Following the Aintree Bowl, dozens of world-class horses have won this event in the past, most recently Epatante who dominated the 2020 Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Out of the last 20 winners, it is an even split between British and Irish trained horses that have won the event, winning 10 apiece, French and a German trainer have also entered the race but never had a placement. During this time, Nicky Henderson has had 15 horses place, making him the most successful trainer in this race.
Aintree Grand National: Races on Day 2
Before we decide the Grand National winner for 2023, we have a wild weekend of Horse Racing and the Friday of the festival is Ladies' Day! Across the UK, racecourses celebrate their Ladies' day with some of the best racing of the festival and at the Grand National, this is no different! There are a number of fantastic races on this day and you can find our tips for our top picks below.
Mildmay Novices’ Chase
The opening race of Ladies' Day is the Mildmay Novices' Chase. It is a race that has been dominated by British trainers over the last 20 years with British trainers winning 17 out of the last 20 races. However, this is due to the fact that we've only seen 18 Irish runners in this event, with 4 placements in that time, which include 2 wins. We've also had a French winner in the last but in recent years, it's been British domination. The last twenty winners have all had odds lower than 7/1, which is less than 50% of the runners at the festival, so if you're looking to bet on the race, you may be able to remove over half the runners from the occasion straight away.
Bet on the Mildmay Novices Chase
Top Novices’ Hurdle
The second race we've covered of Ladies' Day is the Top Novices Hurdle, once again, this is a race dominated by British trainers with 18 winners in the last twenty years. However, with two Irish winners in the last three runs, could the balance of power in the Top Novice's Hurdle be shifting? Could the Irish influence take over yet another historic race? This has been one of the most open races in history in regards to jockeys and trainers with Nicky Henderson dominating with 6 wins out of 20 but no other trainer in that time has won the race more than once. Will Henderson win once again?
Aintree Grand National: Races on Day 3
As we start day three, we'll be just a few races away from finding out who will be joining the legendary past Grand National winners such as Manifesto, Tiger Roll and Red Rum. The Grand National betting market has been live since the 2022 event and we've seen many predictions of who will win the race since then, who are we backing? Find out below.
Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle
Before we get to the Grand National, we have the fantastic Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle. The race where Willie Mullins has begun to change the landscape of the race, British trainers have dominated this race year after year but in 2015 and 2016, Mullins brought two favourites and they both came out victorious, Gordon Elliott followed suit last year bringing Three Stripe Life to the race, coming out victorious. There tends to be one or two horses that are heavy favourites in the race and more often than not, they come out on top, Ubak (2013) and Reserve Tank (2020) are the two horses that don't follow this trend.
Bet on the Mersey Novices Hurdle
Liverpool Hurdle
The last big race before we jump over some Grand National fences, is the Liverpool Hurdle. With three Irish winners in the last nine years and two out of the last four winners coming from Ireland, the Irish contingent have grown in recent years and it wouldn't surprise many if the Irish's Grand National record dramatically improved in recent years. As for this race, the favourite in the race almost always performs well, with only one of the last twenty favourites finishing outside of the top three. The previous winner of the Liverpool Hurdle, Sire Du Berlais was actually the longest odds to win the race in recent memory, sitting at 16/1. Now, it's unlikely that the entire landscape of this race will change after that race but it may be worth looking at longer winners this year, or if Marie's Rock and Teehupoo race in the event, maybe not...
Randox Grand National Chase
We've made it to the Randox Grand National Chase, the most historic race in the history of UK Racing. The previous season's Grand National winner was Noble Yeats who sat at 50/1 starting price before the race, Mr Sam Waley-Cohen and Emmet Mullins brought one of the most iconic winners out of the most recent Grand National winners. However, Noble Yeats wasn't the only icon in our recent past Grand National winners, there is one legendary name that will never be forgotten in the world of horse racing and that is Tiger Roll who won back-to-back Grand National's in 2018 and 2019, unfortunately, the race wasn't run in 2020 and Tiger Roll missed out on the chance to make it three in a row as he missed the weight allocation to run in 2021.
11 out of the last 20 winners have come from Great Britain while 9 have came from Ireland. However, with the field of runners so large for this race, it is very difficult to predict a winner, many have fallen over the Grand National fences but those that are first past the post, sketch their names in history. The recent Grand National record for Paul Nicholls isn't good reading with just 1 winner in 63 attempts. With four Irish winners in a row, that doesn't look like changing at the 2023 Grand National. Key trends for this race include:
- All winners have placed within the past 22-350 days
- Made 3 - 10 starts in the last season
- Finished first 5 in their debut (1 exception)
Unfortunately, as the most unpredictable race in the world, looking at who has previously won this race isn't the most helpful. Probably the biggest trend of this race is that the winner isn't favoured with only 4/20 favourites winning. In our opinion, the best thing to do when prepping for the Grand National race, is look at the races from the same season, calculate their previous form and see which horse looks best to jump over those Grand National style fences because recent Grand National winners have been the best jumpers on the day and most of them come at a double figure price.
Grand National Trainers
With 40 or more runners in the vast majority of Grand Nationals in recent history, picking a horse to place a bet on and back to finish first can be incredibly difficult. One of the key attributing factors is the trainers. Each trainer will have their own individual strategy on how to win the event, so reading up on trainers who have exceeded expectations in the past, could be an excellent way of judging who will win this years race.
Grand National Jockeys
Similarly to Horse Racing Trainers, Jockeys can be the key to winning and losing a race like the Grand National, more jockeys fall off their horse in the Grand National than any other race in the United Kingdom, it's an incredibly difficult race to perfect especially when depending on the turf and temperament of a horse, these elements are uncontrollable and it's often the jockey that suits these variables that overperform. However, looking into which jockeys are best suited to these races could be the difference between picking a 10/1 winner-losing bet and a 100/1 each-way winner.
*All odds from Bet UK are correct at the time of writing.
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Aintree Racecourse Guide
Aintree racecourse is one of the most instantly recognisable racecourses in the UK and has been home to the Grand National since 1839. With high jumps and unique fences around the circuit, races at Aintree make for some of the most exciting horse races of all time. If you are heading there for the Grand National or simply for a day at the races, Bet UK’s Aintree guide has everything you need to know. Bet UK’s online betting has the latest horse racing betting odds for all Aintree meetings, including for Grand National betting. Bet UK also has a selection of Grand National offers available in the lead up to the race.
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Where is Aintree Racecourse?
Aintree Racecourse is located just north of Liverpool in the north west of England. It’s close proximity to both Liverpool and Manchester make access very easy, even is the actual village of Aintree is quite small. Aintree can hold 75,000 racing fans and when the Grand National comes around, it’s bound to be a sell out. It’s huge capacity makes it the second biggest racecourse in the UK, only behind Epsom.
Racing on Aintree Racecourse
The track at Aintree is one of the most difficult courses to run on in the United Kingdom and that is demonstrated on Grand National day where horses are pushed to their limits.
The course itself is triangular with the Canal Turn sat as the furthest point from the stands. So, if it comes down to it, your horse might be leading going into the turn but by the time you see it again, it could have dropped significantly down the pecking order. Horses will often look to take the inside of the course as the sharpness of the course is one that leads to many horses struggling and just one bad corner where horses are pushed too far to the outside can cause issues.
To the average punter, the Aintree course is deceiving, even though the course is flat, it is extremely testing for a horse, the stamina required is unheard of and if the horse you're backing isn't on the bridle when leaving the back straight run-in, it's unlikely they'll be victorious. It's a long, long track but if the jockey and the horse can get into a good rhythm with each other, they'll have a good chance of coming out victorious on the Mildmay course.
There are many well-known fences at Aintree including the infamous Becher's Brook and Valentine's alongside the previously mentioned Canal Turn. However, once you've finished those, you have the Chair - which is the tallest fence in the national and the water jump, surprisingly these fences don't take down many horses. Perhaps it's the anticipation of the winning post during the Grand National race that wills these horses down the home straight and into the parade ring because these two - from the outside looking in, look like a dangerous duo of fences.
What is the capacity of Aintree racecourse?
Aintree racecourse can fit in approximately 75,000 people at any one time. This includes all guests, including those who purchased hospitality options at the venue. The only racecourse bigger than Aintree is the racecourse in Epsom, which hosts the Epsom Derby.
How to get to Aintree Racecourse?
Driving to Aintree Racecourse
Driving to Aintree isn’t always recommended because of car parking and large crowds after the races, but if you have no other choice, then Aintree is quite easy to reach. From the north, head along the M6 before leaving at Junction 28 and joining the M58. From there, Aintree racecourse will be clearly signposted. If you are driving from the south, then leave the M6 at Junction 21A and merge onto the M62 heading west. Exit at junction 6 and join the M57, where signposts will direct you the rest of the way. If you would prefer to use SatNav to guide you to Aintree, the course postcode is L9 5AS.
Car Parking at Aintree Racecourse
There is only space for 1,800 cars at Aintree racecourse, so if you are planning on driving, it’s best to get there early. If you are heading there for the Grand National, you will have to book your space in advance. Otherwise, parking is free and can just be grabbed on the day. If you can’t park at the actual racecourse, then there are a few other options including Aintree train station car park and a nearby industrial estate.
Getting the train to Aintree Racecourse
Aintree has its own train station, making it one of the best ways to get to Aintree racecourse. Although it does have it’s own station, it isn’t accessible directly from stations up and down the country. Your best bet will be to get the train to Liverpool and make your way to Aintree from there. There are plenty of trains running regularly so you shouldn’t have any problems. The station is directly across the road from the racecourse, and pedestrian friendly directions are signposted throughout the station.
What is the track like at Aintree?
The track is less important at Aintree, this is a course that is all about the fences. In the Grand National especially, the fences are amongst the hardest to manoeuvre anywhere in the country and can provide problems for even the most experienced jockey. The course features 16 unique fences, although 2 circuits of the course in the National mean there are 30 fences to jump in total. Some of the most notorious include Becher’s Brook, Valentine’s Brook and The Chair. The Chair is one of the hardest fences anywhere in the world. The track rises slightly, before a 6ft ditch is followed by a 5ft 2in fence, before the track drops back down the hill. Typically the sight of a lot of falls in the Grand National, it is always a jump that jockeys take great care on.
Racing Meetings at Aintree Racecourse
Of course, the biggest meeting of the season at Aintree is the Grand National. Arguably the most famous race in the world, the Grand National pits up to 40 horses against each other for 3 circuits of the Aintree course. Typically raced in the first weekend in April each year, the National draws record crowds to Aintree and Liverpool for a race that always promises excitement. There are other events throughout the jumps season, but none will gather the crowds, or create the excitement that the Grand National brings.
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Autumn Race Day Tips
Aintree Autumn Race Day Tips
Aintree Racecourse's Autumn Raceday meeting is one of the top fixtures in the Jump racing calendar, there is unmissable racing across the weekend including the prestigious race - the Grand Sefton Chase. If you're looking to see the iconic Grand National fences in action but haven't been able to visit the Grand National, the Aintree afternoon racing meeting on the Grand National course is the next best way to be introduced to Aintree racecourse.
About Aintree's Autumn Raceday
There are a number of big races during Aintree's Autumn Raceday, the first major race of the day is a Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier, which tends to be the third race of the day. Some top quality horses have won this race in the past including Remastered, Caid Du Berlais and Unowhatimeanharry.
Typically the winner of this race sits at odds of 9/1 or under. There are two exceptions to this, the 12 year old Unowhatimeanharry who rolled back the years to win at 12/1 and the exceptional performance from Koshari, the French horse that won with odds of 80/1!
Autumn Race Day Racecard
When Autumn Race Day comes around, we'll only be two meetings into the Aintree National Hunt season. If you're unsure what the National Hunt season is, check out our National Hunt Guide. With the most talented jockeys, horses and trainers all putting themselves to the test against the very best in their industry. Naturally, with so many talented names, picking racing tips is particularly difficult but races such as the Autumn Race Day are easier than picking for the Grand National festival.
| Time | Race | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| 12:25 | 'NH Novices Hurdle' | 2m 4f |
| 13:00 | Novices Steeple Chase | 2m 4f |
| 13:35 | Handicap Hurdle | 3m 1/2f |
| 14:10 | Steeple Chase | 2m 4f |
| 14:40 | Hurdle Race | 2m 4f |
| 15:20 | Handicap Steeple Chase | 2m |
| 15:50 | National Hunt Flat | 2m 1f |
When is the 2024 Autumn Raceday at Aintree Racecourse?
The Aintree Autumn afternoons Raceday will take place on November 9th 2024, this means that you'll be able to find tips for the event on approximately the 7th of November once the racecard has been confirmed.
Who are the sponsors of the Autumn Raceday at Aintree Racecourse?
The Autumn Raceday is be titled 'Boylesports Afternoon Raceday'
Grand National Day 1 Tips
Grand National Day 1 Tips
With three days of intense racing action, the Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse begins on Thursday 15th April 2023. The Merseyside city brings the worlds most iconic steeplechase to our television screens as 70,000 people turn up to the festival for each day of action.
Lottery made history by winning the first Grand National meeting back in 1839 but that isn't the race that we're focusing on today. The opening day features a number of fantastic races, including the Grade 1 Aintree Bowl and Aintree Hurdle. However, if you're looking for Grand National tips for all the races on day one, look no further than our betting tips to see who are the leading contenders for each race of the 2023 Grand National.
Grand National Festival Day 1: Racecard
The opening afternoon of Aintree's finest festival sees a number of Grade 1 races with jumps over the biggest Aintree Grand National fences, the highlights may be the 14:50 and 15:30 races but there is plenty of action across day 1 of the Aintree Festival to go around.
| Time | Race | 2023 Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 13:45 | Manifesto Novices Chase | Banbridge |
| 14:20 | Jewson Anniversary Hurdle | Zenta |
| 14:55 | Aintree Bowl Steeple Chase | Shishkin |
| 15:30 | Aintree Hurdle | Constitution Hill |
| 16:05 | Radox Foxhunters Chase | Famous Clermont |
| 16:40 | Red Rum Handicap Chase | Dancing on my Own |
| 17:15 | Mares' Standard Open | Dysart Enos |
Aintree Festival Day 1 Tips
The National Hunt season is approaching its conclusion but there’s some quality racing to enjoy before that happens. It’s the first day of Aintree’s three-day Grand National Festival on Thursday and it should be a cracker.
Thursday’s card runs from 13:45 to 17:15 and includes no fewer than four Grade 1 races, with the main highlights being the Bowl (14:55) and the Aintree Hurdle (15:30).
We’ve had a detailed look through the entire card and picked out our best bets for each of the seven races on the day.
13:45 - Close Brothers Manifesto Novices' Chase (Grade 1, 2m4f)](https://www.betuk.com/betting/horse-racing#racing/event/1020681983)
GREY DAWNING would probably have beaten Ginny’s Destiny at Cheltenham in December without any jumping errors and that theory was supported by Dan Skelton’s grey getting his revenge at the Cheltenham Festival last time out. The seven-year-old son of Flemensfirth put in an assured display of jumping and showed a strong finishing kick to go two lengths clear of his rival.
There’s no real reason to take on Grey Dawning as he’s the best horse in the race and the gap between Cheltenham and Aintree is almost a whole month this year. It would be a bit of an upset if he fails to follow up.
Selection: Grey Dawning
14:20 - Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m1f)
Nicky Henderson runs Cheltenham absentee Sir Gino in this race but he could be worth taking on as there are still question marks surrounding the form of the yard.
Kargese was second at Cheltenham but Paul Nicholls’ KALIF DU BERLAIS has been aimed at this race and he remains unbeaten in three starts over hurdles.
He probably had more in hand than the winning margin of three-quarters of a length suggested at Kempton last time out and he certainly didn’t look like the finished article. There should be more to come and he’s a very nice prospect for the future.
Selection: Kalif Du Berlais
14:55 - William Hill Bowl Chase (Grade 1, 3m1f)
This can always be a tricky race to work out as it’s always hard to tell how badly the Cheltenham Gold Cup horses are feeling the effects of that gruelling race.
Shishkin arrives fresh but he’s enigmatic and could be worth opposing. AHOY SENOR has a record of 1-1-2 at the Aintree Festival and is usually at the top of his game there.
Lucinda Russell’s nine-year-old has been a tad disappointing this year but always has a big win in him and a return to Aintree can reignite the spark.
Selection: Ahoy Senor
15:30 - William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m4f)
BOB OLINGER is a resurgent force this season and the return to hurdles has got him back on track. Full credit goes to the Henry de Bromhead team and he’s surely the one to beat in the Aintree Hurdle.
He won a 2m4f Grade 2 at Navan on his seasonal reappearance, getting the better of Zanahiyr by a length. It was an impressive display in the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham in January and the form has been boosted since.
State Man beat him over two miles at Leopardstown in February but there’s no shame in that and the return to 2m4f will certainly be in his favour.
Selection: Bob Olinger
16:05 - Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase (2m5f)
You need plenty of stamina to win this race, despite the 2m5f distance, and Emmet Mullins’ IT’S ON THE LINE was a narrow second in the Cheltenham equivalent over 3m2f last time out.
Crack amateur rider Derek O’Connor is on board and there’s no better man for the job. JP McManus purchased this horse just before the Cheltenham Festival and a victory would see a return in his investment.
The seven-year-old has been a standout figure in Irish hunter chases this season and he should go close again.
Selection: It’s On The Line
16:40 - Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap, 2m)
HOMME PUBLIC has taken really well to fences this season and has a record of three wins and a second in four starts over the larger obstacles.
It has to be said that this includes a rather fortuitous success in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham but he was a good winner in handicap company last time out. There should be more to come and a big run is expected off just a 3lb higher mark.
Selection: Homme Public
17:15 - Goffs Nickel Coin Mares' National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2, 2m)
BABY KATE is two-from-two in bumpers and was an easy winner of a Listed race at Cheltenham when last seen in November.
She has clearly been kept fresh for this race and is very much the one to beat, on the evidence of that four-and-a-half-length success. Willie Mullins won this race in 2022 with Ashroe Diamond and there’s a good chance he’ll be adding to his tally.
Selection: Baby Kate
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