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Grand National Betting Guide

Grand National Betting Guide

The Grand National is one of the most exciting and iconic horse racing events in the UK. With its challenging jumps, massive field of runners, and unpredictable outcomes, it’s a must-watch for racing fans and a prime opportunity for bettors. At AiProfit, we’re here to help you make the most of your Grand National experience, whether you’re a seasoned bettor or just starting out.

In this Grand National betting guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from strategies on how to bet on Grand National and matched betting opportunities to key offers and promotions bookmakers release during this event.


What Is the Grand National?

The Grand National is a historic annual steeplechase held at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool. It’s famous for its unique combination of drama, difficulty, and unpredictability. Here are the key details:

  • Venue: Aintree Racecourse, usually held in early April.
  • Distance: Over 4 miles and 2½ furlongs, making it one of the longest races in the UK.
  • Fences: 30 fences across two laps, including the legendary Becher’s Brook and The Chair, known for their size and difficulty.
  • Field: Up to 40 runners with a handicap system to level the playing field, making it one of the most competitive races of the year.

This combination of factors makes the Grand National a challenging but rewarding event for bettors, with opportunities for large payouts. Understanding the basics of the race will give you an edge when betting.


How to Profit from Matched Betting on the Grand National

Matched betting is one of the most effective ways to profit from the Grand National, and it’s especially popular because of the numerous promotions surrounding the event. Here’s how you can use matched betting to your advantage:

Free Bets and Signup Offers

The Grand National sees a flood of free bets and signup offers from bookmakers looking to attract new customers. For example, you might see offers like "Bet £10 and get £40 in free bets." By using matched betting, you can turn these offers into guaranteed profit by backing a horse with the bookmaker and laying it off on a betting exchange.

Price Boosts for the Grand National

Price boosts are a popular promotion during the Grand National, and they provide an excellent opportunity for matched bettors. Bookmakers often enhance the odds on popular horses to attract attention. With matched betting, you can back the boosted odds with the bookmaker and lay them off on a betting exchange, securing a guaranteed profit regardless of the result.

Racing Refund Offers for the Grand National

Racing refund offers are one of the best ways to boost your profits during the Grand National. Here are some of the most common promotions:

  • Fallers Refunds: Many bookmakers offer refunds as free bets if your horse falls at any fence during the race.
  • Beaten by a Nose Refunds: If your horse narrowly misses out on a win, you can get your stake back as a free bet.
  • Non-Runners Refunds: Refunds for horses withdrawn from the race, often processed automatically.

By using matched betting, you can turn these refunds into risk-free profit by carefully placing your lay bets.

0% Commission Betting Exchanges

During major events like the Grand National, some betting exchanges offer 0% commission deals. This means you get to keep more of your profits when laying bets. If you’re a matched bettor, taking advantage of these promotions can make a big difference to your overall returns.


Types of Grand National Bets

Understanding the different types of bets available for the Grand National is essential for crafting your betting strategy. Here are the most common options:

  • Win Bet: A simple bet where you back a single horse to win the race outright. Win bets are popular among those confident in their selection.
  • Each-Way Bet: This is a combination of two bets—one on the horse to win and another on the horse to place (finish in the top positions). Even if your horse doesn’t win, you can still collect a payout if it places. Check out our each way matched betting calculator to find the most accurate profit breakdowns and maximise your returns on each way bets.
  • Place Only Bet: A straightforward bet on a horse to finish in one of the specified top places. This is lower risk compared to a win bet.
  • Forecast/Tricast: These bets involve predicting the exact finishing order of the top two (forecast) or top three (tricast) horses. They offer high payouts but are challenging to win.

Understanding these bet types is crucial, especially if you’re combining them with matched betting to guarantee profits during the Grand National.


Matched Betting Terms for the Grand National

If you’re new to horse racing matched betting, understanding the terminology is key. Here are some terms you’ll encounter:

  • BOG (Best Odds Guaranteed): Bookmakers guarantee that if the starting price (SP) is higher than the odds you took, you’ll be paid at the better price. Don’t miss out—check out our BOG matcher!
  • EP (Extra Place): In matched betting, EP refers to extra place offers where bookmakers pay out on more places than usual. For example, instead of paying on the top four finishers, they might pay out on the top six. Using our matched betting extra place calculator, you can work out your lay stakes to profit from these offers by covering both win and place markets effectively.
  • Rule 4: A deduction applied to your winnings if a horse is withdrawn after you place your bet.
  • NR (Non-Runner): A horse that has been withdrawn from the race. With matched betting, you’ll often be refunded for non-runners.
  • Combined Liability: The total amount you need to cover your lay bets across multiple outcomes on a betting exchange.

Learning these terms will help you navigate both traditional betting and matched betting with confidence during the Grand National.


Tips for Betting on the Grand National

Here are some practical tips to maximize your success during the Grand National:

  1. Research the Runners: Look into each horse’s recent form, its ability to handle long-distance races, and its previous Grand National performance.
  2. Understand the Going: Ground conditions (e.g., soft, heavy, good) can significantly impact a horse’s performance. Some horses excel on softer ground, while others prefer firmer conditions.
  3. Use Matched Betting Tools: Leverage matched betting tools like OddsMatcher and calculators to quickly find profitable opportunities and calculate your lay stakes.
  4. Start Early: Promotions and odds are often better in the weeks leading up to the race, so don’t wait until the last minute.
  5. Stick to a Budget: Betting responsibly is crucial. Set a clear budget for your bets and avoid chasing losses.

Final Thoughts

The Grand National is a fantastic opportunity to combine the excitement of horse racing with the profit potential of matched betting. At AiProfit, we believe that with the right strategies, tools, and understanding of betting terminology, you can maximize your returns and enjoy this iconic event to its fullest.

Don’t forget to take advantage of bookmaker promotions like free bets, price boosts, and refund offers. Use matched betting techniques to lock in risk-free profits and turn the Grand National into a rewarding experience. For more tips and strategies, check out our other sports betting guides, and good luck with your Grand National betting!

The most frequently asked questions

Matched betting is a risk-free betting strategy where you use bookmaker promotions like free bets and price boosts, combined with a betting exchange, to secure guaranteed profits regardless of the race outcome.

Our Extra Place Calculator helps you profit from extra place offers by calculating the exact lay stakes needed to cover both win and place markets on a betting exchange. This ensures you take full advantage of bookmaker promotions.

The best promotions include free bets, faller refunds, extra place offers, and price boosts. These can be used with matched betting techniques for guaranteed profits.

BOG ensures you get paid at the highest odds if the starting price (SP) of your horse is better than the odds you initially backed.

If your horse is a non-runner, most bookmakers refund your stake. In matched betting, you can claim this refund while also cancelling your lay bet to avoid any loss.

Using odds-matching software or price boost alerts helps you identify the best boosted odds. You can then lay these off at a betting exchange for a guaranteed profit.

Yes, you can bet on multiple horses using strategies like matched betting, where you balance your liability across different outcomes.

The Grand National features numerous bookmaker promotions, including enhanced odds, free bets, and refund offers, making it an ideal event for matched betting enthusiasts.

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