Grand National 2025: Race Schedule, Key Contenders & Matched Betting Opportunities
The 2025 Randox Grand National is just days away, and with it comes one of the biggest betting events of the year. For matched bettors, this means free bets, price boosts, and refund offers—all ripe for profit.
In this guide, we'll cover:
✔ Race day schedule – When to expect key races & betting markets.
✔ Recent Grand National trends – What past winners tell us.
✔ Leading contenders – Which horses fit the profile for betting opportunities.
✔ Best bookmaker promotions – Free bets, extra places & faller refunds.
✔ Matched betting strategies – How to lock in profit before the race.
Grand National 2025: Race Schedule & Key Times
The Grand National isn't just one race—it's a full day of high-quality jumps racing at Aintree. Here's the expected schedule (subject to final confirmations):
Time
Race
Distance
Grade
Key Notes
13:45
Aintree Handicap Hurdle
2m 4f
Class 1
Often attracts strong each-way betting.
14:25
Mildmay Novices' Chase
3m 1f
Grade 1
A key race for future Grand National contenders.
15:00
Aintree Hurdle
2m 4f
Grade 1
Features top-class hurdlers.
15:35
Mersey Novices' Hurdle
2m 4f
Grade 1
A competitive race with bookie offers.
16:00
Liverpool Hurdle
3m+
Grade 1
Stayers' hurdlers battle it out.
17:15
THE GRAND NATIONAL
4m 2½f
Handicap
The big one—40 runners, 30 fences.
Why does this matter for matched betting?
Many bookies run "money-back specials" on earlier races (e.g., "2nd-place refunds").
Odds shifts in support races can indicate market confidence for the National.
Early price boosts often drop at midday—so check your bookmaker accounts.
Grand National Trends: What Past Winners Tell Us
The Grand National is famously unpredictable, but certain trends hold true:
Key Stats from the Last 10 Winners
✅ Age: 9- to 11-year-olds have won 9 of the last 10 (only Noble Yeats in 2022 was younger).
✅ Weight: No winner since 2009 carried more than 11st 5lb (handicap matters!).
✅ Experience: All recent winners had at least 10 chase runs before winning.
✅ Irish-trained dominance: 7 of the last 10 winners were trained in Ireland.
Recent Grand National Winners
Year
Horse
Age
Weight
Starting Price
2024
Corach Rambler
9
10st 5lb
8/1 fav
2023
Noble Yeats
8
10st 10lb
50/1
2022
Snow Leopardess
10
10st 9lb
10/1
2021
Minella Times
8
10st 3lb
11/1
Why this matters for betting?
Bookmakers often boost odds on horses that fit the trend (e.g., 9-11yo Irish-trained runners).
Extra place offers are more valuable on horses with strong staying form.
Faller refunds are likelier on inexperienced jumpers—useful for matched betting.
2025 Grand National: Key Contenders & Market Movers
(Note: This is not tipping—just identifying horses likely to attract bookie promotions.)
Top 5 Horses to Watch (Based on Trends & Odds)
Corach Rambler (TBC odds) – Last year's winner, fits the age/weight profile perfectly.
Vanillier (TBC odds) – Strong stayer, placed in 2024, could be an each-way machine.
Panda Boy (TBC odds) – Irish-trained, strong in long-distance races.
Noble Yeats (TBC odds) – 2022 winner, still competitive at this level.
Any Second Now (TBC odds) – Always runs well at Aintree; often a late market mover.
Matched betting angles:
Price boosts likely on Corach Rambler & Noble Yeats.
Extra place offers could make Vanillier/Panda Boy profitable each-way lays.
Faller refunds may apply to less experienced jumpers.
Best Grand National 2025 Bookmaker Promotions
1. Free Bet Sign-Up Offers
"Bet £10, Get £40 in Free Bets" (e.g., Betfred, Paddy Power) – Ideal for new accounts.
"Money Back as Cash if Your Horse Falls" (e.g., Sky Bet, William Hill).
2. Price Boosts
"Enhanced Odds on Favourites" (e.g., 8/1 to 10/1 on Corach Rambler).
"Double Odds for 2nd" (Bet365) – Great for Dutching strategies.
"Payments on 6 Places (1/5 odds)" (Betfair Sportsbook, Paddy Power).
"Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB)" – Standard across most bookies now.
4. Faller & Special Refunds
"Money Back if Your Horse Unseats Rider" (Betway).
"Second-Place Refund" (e.g., if your horse loses by a neck).
Matched Betting Strategies for the Grand National
1. Extra Place Hunting
If a bookie pays 6 places (vs. 4 on exchanges), back each-way & lay with adjusted place terms.
Use an extra place matcher tool for optimal stakes.
2. Price Boost Arbitrage
If a bookie boosts a horse from 8/1 to 10/1, back with them & lay at original odds on Betfair.
3. Faller Refund Guarantees
Back a horse with a faller refund (e.g., Sky Bet) and lay it on an exchange.
4. 0% Commission Offers
Betfair often runs 0% commission promos—perfect for reducing lay liability.
Final Tips for Grand National Matched Betting
✅ Check NRNB – Avoid losing bets to late withdrawals.
✅ Track refund T&Cs – Some require opt-in or specific bet types.
✅ Use Dutching – Spread stakes across multiple boosts for guaranteed profit.
Conclusion
The 2025 Grand National is packed with matched betting gold—from extra place offers to faller refunds and price boosts. By focusing on bookmaker promos (not just picking winners), you can lock in risk-free profits before the race starts.
For real-time odds tracking, check our OddsMatcher before Saturday's big race!
The most frequently asked questions
Focus on extra place offers and faller refunds rather than trying to pick winners. These promotions provide more reliable profit opportunities regardless of the race outcome.
Back a horse each-way with a bookmaker paying extra places (e.g., 6 places) and lay it on an exchange (typically paying 4 places). Use our Extra Place Matcher tool to calculate optimal stakes.
Paddy Power, Betfair Sportsbook, and Sky Bet usually have strong offers including extra places, faller refunds, and price boosts. Always check our OddsMatcher for the latest deals.
Favorites often get price boosts, while outsiders benefit from extra place offers. A balanced approach using both strategies typically works best.
With multiple accounts, experienced matched bettors can make £200-£500 from the Grand National by combining sign-up offers, free bets, and race-specific promotions.
