Grand National 2023 Betting Guide & Tips

The Grand National 2023 is scheduled to be held at the Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England, on 15th April. This article offers an insightful guide on how to bet on the Grand National Race and what important aspects to consider in this regard.

Grand National History

The Grand National is an annual National Hunt horse race organised at the Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, England. The handicap steeple chase race was first held in 1839. The race has a distance of 4 miles and 2.5 furlongs. Horses jump over thirty fences over two circuits of the racecourse.

The Grand National is Europe’s most prized jump race, with prize money worth £1 million. In 2022, the seven-year-old Noble Yeats won the race, becoming the first seven-year-old horse to win the race since 1940.

The 184 years old Grand National race is one of the oldest races and a prominent element of British culture. People from all walks of life that do not even follow or bet on horse racing; like to indulge in the Grand National.

It is predicted that around 600 million people from over 140 countries will be watching the race on their screens, while more than 70,000 people are expected to be in attendance at the Aintree Racecourse on race day.

Grand National 2023 Stats

The fences in the Grand National course are much larger than normal. Some of the most popular fences the participants have to navigate during the race include Becher’s Brook, Valentine’s Brook, The Chair, Foinavan, and Canal Turn, among others.

Around 85 horses entered the Grand National 2023, but the numbers gradually dwindled after the Cheltenham Festival. There is no limit to the number of initial entries, and as long as the horses meet the requisite criteria, they can be entered to run. However, the final number of horses competing in the race is expected to be forty. There are various declaration stages from February to March that help narrow down the list to forty participants by 15th April.

Tips for betting at the 2023 Grand National

The Grand National remains one of the most open competitions in sports, and betting on it is no easy feat. With forty runners and riders in the line-up for the Grand National, it can be tricky to narrow down the list to shortlist a potential winner, and you will need to get creative.

However, there are a few ways you can increase your chances of winning. Research regarding form and historical data can help bettors create a list of potential winners. We have tried to make your job easier by providing a list of a few aspects you can take into consideration when weighing the odds. Let’s have a look.

Grand National Horse Racing Weights

Handicap races are usually designed to allow every competing horse a chance at winning the race. However, the more competent horses are considered to carry more weight than the ones less capable. At the same time, from a historical point of view, there have been only four instances in the past two decades where horses carrying over eleven stones and three pounds have won the Grand National. It is why tipsters usually eliminate horses carrying top weights in the competition.

Grand National Horse Form and Age

Studying the horse’s form is an important aspect. However, reading too much into the numbers can often be misleading as the horse may just be coming into form or have improved since the weights were released. Sometimes, the selections are ahead of the handicapper, particularly when they have run well at the Cheltenham’s Festival, after which the weights are released.

As for the horse’s age, it is important to consider runners having the age and experience to compete. Horses between six to eight years have a good chance, while older horses, i.e., the ones above eleven or twelve years, may not have the energy to overcome all the obstacles on the course.

Grand National Jockey Form

Another important consideration is the jockey form. Jockeys winning the Grand National in the past or at least running in the race are a good indication as they are familiar with the track, including the various fences and undulations.

Grand National Trainer Form

Trainer form is also often overlooked when shortlisting potential winners. However, any experienced bettor will tell you that the trainer form can have a significant bearing on the outcome. Staffing issues, problems in training, or a dip in form due to an illness can lead to a poor run. Trainers with a good previous track record can also be a good indicator.

Grand National Distance and course form of runners

Overcoming the obstacles at the Aintree Racecourse in the Grand National is not easy, and only the greatest of jumpers can fare well at the iconic race. A good tip is to look for runners who have successfully navigated the course in the past displaying the ability to overcome the hurdles successfully.

Grand National Track conditions

The ground conditions will play a very important role on race day. While some horses run well in mud, others are better at running on soft ground or treading in water. Weather conditions will have a great impact on the track conditions.

If the weather remains dry and sunny ahead of the race, it can influence bettors’ confidence in the runners. However, if the weather is rainy, the ground will become soft, and even the best of runners may find it hard to tread through the soft course.

Grand National Betting Odds

The average odds of a winning horse at the Grand National are around 20/1. During the past thirty runs, around 25 runners have returned a double-figure price. Three winners in the recent past have less than four runs. These include Tiger Roll in 2019, One for Arthur in 2017, and Ballabriggs in 2011. Tiger Roll is also the latest runner to have won the Grand National twice in a row in 2018 and 2019.

2023 Grand National Favourites

While the factors mentioned above can help you narrow down the choices from the forty runners, here are some of the favourites for the Grand National. These are the leading runners according to the latest odds.

Corach Rambler – Grand National Preview

Corach Rambler achieved his career best in March 2022, when he won the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham. The runner needs to improve on the form but is considered a force to be reckoned with for the upcoming races. Corach Rambler’s Grand National betting odds are 8/1

Noble Yeats – Grand National Preview

Noble Yeats was the first seven-year-old to win the Grand National since 1940, when Bogskar won the race. Noble Yeats was ridden by Sam Waley Cohen, an amateur jockey, and had odds of 50/1 going into the race. However, he took everyone by surprise by putting up an impressive performance. Noble Yeats was also the winner of the Many Clouds Chase in 2022. This year Noble Yeats has betting odds of 9/1 for the Grand National.

Mr. Incredible – Grand National Preview

Mr. Incredible won third place at the Kim Muir Challenge Cup in 2023. The runner moved to Willie Mullins in November and was unfortunate in his first run. However, he redeemed himself by winning second place at Warwick. Mr. Incredible did not compete in the Grand National last year and is going in with betting odds of 14/1 for the upcoming race.

Delta Work – Grand National Preview

Delta Work’s career highlights include winning the Pertemps Final in 2018, the Irish Gold Cup in 2020, and Cross Country Chase in 2022 and 2023. Delta Work competed last year with betting odds of 10/1 but was bested and finished in third place. That said, we believe Delta Work has what it takes to be a leading performer, as he has the stamina and the experience. This year the betting odds for Delta Work to win the Grand National are 14/1.

Gailard Du Mesnil – Grand National Preview

Gailard Du Mesnil was the winner of the National Hunt Challenge Cup Chase at Cheltenham in 2023. The horse finished in third place in the Irish Grand National in 2022, one of the five instances where the runner ended the race in third spot. Gailard Du Mesnil did not compete at the Grand National last year, but his recent wins make him a strong candidate. This year the Grand National betting odds for Gailard Du Mesnil are 14/1.

Any Second Now – Grand National Preview

Any Second Now first came to attention with his win at the Kim Muir Challenge Cup in 2019. The runner finished in third place in 2021 and second place in 2022 at the Grand National. Given the past stats, it remains to be seen if the runner wins a top spot at the Grand National. The betting odds for Any Second Now for the upcoming Grand National are 16/1.

How To Bet Successfully at the Grand National

We hope that the brief review of the Grand National favourites and recommendations for what to consider when betting will be helpful in narrowing down the selection and help you wager successfully.

A good tip is to compare the odds with some of the bigger bookmakers. It may not boost your confidence in your selection, but it will help you make an informed decision based on the value, and if you can get bigger odds by shopping around it’s well worth taking them to maximise your Grand National 2023 winning profits.

Grand National FAQs

Here are a few FAQs about the Grand National:

How long does it take to run the Grand National?

The Grand National is a handicap steeplechase race that covers a distance of 4 miles and 514 yards, and it is considered one of the most challenging horse races in the world. The race involves 30 fences that the horses must jump over, including the famous Becher’s Brook and The Chair. The race typically starts at around 5:15 PM and lasts for approximately 10 minutes, with the winner being the first horse to cross the finish line.

When are the Grand National Runners confirmed?

The runners for the Grand National are usually confirmed a few days before the race. In 2022, the final 40 runners were confirmed on the day before the race. In 2023, the final field of runners will be announced on Thursday, April 13th, with any non-runners being announced in the racing press.

How many fences are there at the Grand National?

There are 30 fences at the Grand National. However, there are only 16 unique fences on the course, 14 of which are jumped twice, along the four mile, two and a half furlong distance.

Who was the first winner of the Grand National?

The first winner of the Grand National race was a horse named Lottery, who won the inaugural running of the race. The race was originally called the Grand Liverpool Steeplechase, and it was run over a distance of 4 miles and 3 furlongs. Lottery was ridden by jockey Jem Mason and owned by a man named John Elmore. The horse was trained by James “Jem” Edwards, who had previously won the race as a jockey in 1832. Lottery’s victory in the first Grand National helped to establish the race as one of the most prestigious and challenging horse races in the world.

How many times did Red Rum win the Grand National?

Red Rum was a legendary racehorse who won the Grand National three times in 1973, 1974, and 1977. He is the only horse to have won the race three times, and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest racehorses of all time. Red Rum was born in 1965 and was originally trained as a flat racer. However, he found his true calling as a steeplechaser and went on to win numerous races throughout his career.

Red Rum’s first victory in the Grand National came in 1973, when he was ridden by jockey Brian Fletcher. He won the race again in 1974, this time with Fletcher as his jockey once again. After a disappointing performance in 1975, Red Rum returned to the Grand National in 1977 and won the race for the third time, this time with jockey Tommy Stack.

Red Rum’s success in the Grand National helped to make him a national hero in the UK. He was known for his incredible stamina and determination, and he was often referred to as “the horse of the century.” After his retirement from racing, he lived out the rest of his life at the National Stud in Suffolk, England. Today, he is remembered as one of the greatest racehorses of all time, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of racehorse trainers and jockeys.


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