- Event: The Grand National
- Date: April 13, 16:00 BST
- Venue: Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool
Check out the best Grand National betting sites before making your picks for this year’s Aintree showpiece!
The Grand National
The Grand National takes place at the iconic Aintree Racecourse in April each year. Considered the ultimate test for horse and jockey, the Grand National attracts bettors who rarely take much notice of horse racing. Hundreds of millions of people watch the race, which has been broadcast on free-to-air TV in the UK since 1960.
When is the Grand National?
The Grand National is the highlight of Aintree’s three-day Grand National Festival, which runs this year from Thursday, April 11 to Saturday, April 13. The main event, the Grand National itself, is on the Saturday afternoon.
What time does the Grand National start?
The race will start at 4pm on Saturday, April 13, as part of “an ongoing focus on equine welfare”.The Jockey Club have confirmed the start time has been brought forward from 5.15pm, after the controversy of the 2023 race, in order to improve the likelihood of good ground.
Where is the 2024 Grand National held?
The race takes place at Aintree Racecourse, on the outskirts of Liverpool. Since the first edition in 1839, the race has never been held anywhere else.
Grand National 2024: Dates and races of Aintree Festival
The Grand National is the highlight of Aintree’s Grand National Festival, which runs from Thursday April 13 until Saturday April 15. The main race takes place on Saturday at 17:15, but the festival plays host to three days of top quality racing. The schedule is as follows:
Thursday April 11th Randox Opening Day
Opening Ceremony precedes the start of the day’s racing
| Time | Race | Class |
| 13.45 | The Manifesto Novices Steeple Chase | Grade 1 |
| 14.20 | The Jewson Anniversary 4YO Juvenile Hurdle | Grade 1 |
| 14.55 | The Aintree Bowl Steeple Chase | Grade 1 |
| 15.30 | The William Hill Aintree Hurdle | Grade 1 |
| 16.05 | The Randox Foxhunters Open Hunters Steeple Chase | Class 2 |
| 16.40 | The Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Steeple Chase | Grade 3 |
| 17.15 | The Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat | Grade 2 |
Friday 12th Randox Ladies Day
| Time | Race | Class |
| 13.45 | The Air Charter Services Mildmay Novices’ Steeple Chase | Grade 1 |
| 14.20 | The William Hill Handicap Hurdle | Grade 3 |
| 14.55 | The Poundland Top Novices’ Hurdle | Grade 1 |
| 15.30 | The My Pension Expert Melling Chase | Grade 1 |
| 16.05 | The Randox Supports Race Against Dementia Topham Chase | Grade 3 |
| 16.40 | The Winners Wear Cavani Sefton Novices’ Hurdle | Grade 1 |
| 17.15 | The Abersoch Land and Sea Handicap Hurdle | Class 2 (Conditional & Amateur Jockeys) |
Saturday April 13th Randox Grand National Day
| Time | Race | Class |
| 13.20 | The Bridle Road Handicap Hurdle | Grade 3 |
| 13.55 | The Mersey Novices’ Hurdle | Grade 1 |
| 14:30 | The William Hill Handicap Steeple Chase | Grade 3 |
| 15.05 | The JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle | Grade 1 |
| 16.00 | The Randox Grand National Steeple Chase | Grade 3 |
| 17.00 | The Maghull Novices’ Steeple Chase | Grade 1 |
| 17.35 | The Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race | Class 2 |
What are the changes to this year’s Grand National?
Significant changes have been made to the Grand National for 2024. The 2023 Grand National was delayed 15 minutes after protests by animal rights activists. However, the Jockey Club insist that the changes made were not a direct result of last years problems.
The most important changes:
- The field has been reduced from a maximum of 40 horses to a maximum of 34. Evidence shows a correlation between the size of a field and the risk of horses falling.
- The first fence has been brought forward, towards the start line, by 60 yards in order to reduce the speed at which the horses reach it.
- The start will now be a standing start at the tape, rather than the traditional rolling start. This change is again designed to reduce the speed that horses arrive at the first fence.
- Each horse must have an official rating of at least 130 (rather than 125) and will be scrutinised for jumping errors before its entry is accepted.
- Fence 11 has been reduced in height by two inches and will have the drop on the landing side reduced.
- Horses will no longer be led onto the course by a handler before the race, instead being released to canter in front of the grandstands.
- The start time has been moved from 5.15pm to 4pm.
Grand National: Can Cheltenham’s top performers challenge at Aintree?
A big question among punters is whether the top performing horses at the Cheltenham Festival can still be at their peak to challenge in the National. There are four weeks between the two events and with fields at the two meetings stacked with quality it takes a high class, well trained horse to still be on top form and be fully recovered.
Check out the best horse racing bookmakers
Grand National 2024: Entries
There were 94 entries for 2024. This was reduced to 34 on Thursday April 11, two days before the race.
When are the final 34 horses announced?
The final 34 horses are confirmed 48 hours before the race, in this case on Thursday, April 11,. If a horse is withdrawn after these 48-hour declarations they will not be replaced.
Grand National 2024: Line-up confirmed
The stage is set for Saturday’s Grand National with last year’s champion, Corach Rambler, leading the pack after the final lineup was confirmed. This year, a maximum field of 34 horses will compete at Aintree, following a safety review that reduced the limit from 40.
With only one withdrawal, Conflated, on Thursday, the lineup now sees 2022 winner Noble Yeats as the top weight. The remaining entries include Eklat de Rire, Chambard, and Kitty’s Light, who secured their spots in the race.
Irish-trained horses dominate the field with a total of 26 runners, with Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins each fielding eight contenders. Among Mullins’ entries are the highly regarded I Am Maximus and Meetingofthewaters, both owned by JP McManus.
Trainer Christian Williams has his eyes set on a historic victory with Scottish National winner Kitty’s Light, aiming to become the first Welsh-trained victor since 1905. This endeavor carries added significance as Williams’ young daughter, Betsy, battles leukemia.
Representing Wales alongside Kitty’s Light is Mac Tottie, ridden by James Bowen under the guidance of his trainer father, Peter Bowen.
Despite notable achievements, including a win at the Cheltenham Festival last month, Shakem Up’Arry did not make the final cut for the Grand National.
As anticipation builds, the heavy, soft going on the National course promises to provide an additional challenge for the contenders. While rain has been persistent in the lead-up, forecasts suggest a drier outlook for the weekend, adding an element of unpredictability to the highly anticipated event.
Entry criteria for the Grand National
In order to enter the Grand National horses must:
- Have an official rating (OR) of 130 or more (in 2023, horses need only have a rating of 125)
- Be aged 7 or older,
- Have completed three or more steeplechases,
- Have completed one steeplechase in the current season,
- Have finished between 1st and 4th in a steeplechase over 2 miles 7½ furlongs or further.
Grand National Odds: Who are the favourites for the 2024 Grand National?
The latest odds for the Grand National from AK Bets are as follows:
| Horse | Odds |
| Corach Rambler | 6/1 |
| I am Maximus | 7/1 |
| Meetingofthewaters | 17/2 |
| Vanillier | 9/1 |
| Kitty’s Light | 11/1 |
| Mr Incedible | 11/1 |
| Panda Boy | 11/1 |
| Limerick Lace | 12/1 |
| Mahler Mission | 12/1 |
| Minella Indo | 14/1 |
| Delta Work | 18/1 |
| Nassalam | 18/1 |
| Noble Yeats | 20/1 |
| Coko Beach | 22/1 |
| Galia Des Liteaux | 22/1 |
| Capodanno | 28/1 |
| Latenightpass | 28/1 |
| Chemical Energy | 33/1 |
| Foxy Jacks | 33/1 |
| Galvin | 33/1 |
| Adamantly Chosen | 40/1 |
| Ain’t That A Shame | 40/1 |
| Stattler | 40/1 |
| Glengouly | 50/1 |
| Mac Tottie | 50/1 |
| Roi Mage | 50/1 |
| Run Wild Fred | 50/1 |
| The Goffer | 50/1 |
| Chambard | 66/1 |
| Eldorado Allen | 80/1 |
| Farouk D’alene | 80/1 |
| Janidil | 80/1 |
| Minella Crooner | 80/1 |
| Eklat De Rire | 100/1 |
Grand National 2024 Tips
Betting.com will bring you tips on the main races from the Aintree Festival, including, of course, the Grand National.
Picking out your horses for the Grand National is similar to making your picks in any horse race. However, with the National being such a high profile event and the course being extremely challenging, things can be a little less predictable and it can be arguably more satisfying to pick a winner! Even with the unpredictable nature of the event it is best to stick to tried and tested principles. There are several things which punters need to be especially aware of
1) Find the best Grand National trainers
There are some trainers who seem to excel at bringing their horses to a peak for this event. So do some research and focus on the yards who have an excellent record at this meeting.
With three victories so far, Gordon Elliott is adept at bringing his horses into the right condition to succeed at Aintree. The first time he won was in 2007 with Silver Birch at odds of 33/1. Elliott won again in 2018 and 2019, as Tiger Roll became the first horse since Red Rum in 1974 to win the National in successive years.
Nigel Twiston-Davies is hugely experienced and has two National wins under his belt. Willie Mullins is also worth consideration, especially given how his horses have performed this season. when deciding who to bet on Grand National 2024. Under normal circumstances, five times British jump racing champion trainer Nicky Henderson, is a name to follow, even though he is yet to land a National win. However, Henderson has had a number of problems this season and had to withdraw a number of horses from Cheltenham, He is certain to bounce back, however, the 2024 Grand National may come too soon
2) Find the best Grand National jockeys
Equally you get jockeys who seem suited to certain courses and occasions. Aintree and the Grand National are no exception. Ruby Walsh, Leighton Aspell and Davy Russell all hold the best record for current jockeys, having won the Grand National twice each in recent times.
3) Monitor form
This is key when betting on any race and it is worth looking at the horse who come into the National in good form when making your selection. However, like in all races, an out of form horse, or a horse returning from injury or coming off a break can win, especially given the Grand National’s unpredictable nature. With the Cheltenham Festival taking place about a month before, some of the top horses may have peaked. Equally, some horses might have been raced sparingly across the season with the aim of running well in the Grand National. Some horses may have been trained with twin peaks in mind, Cheltenham and the National, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a horse from one of the races in Cheltenham make a go of the National, or one of the other races in the Aintree Festival.
4) Keep an eye on shifts in the markets
The Grand National betting markets are fluid and competitive, with odds frequently fluctuating. The price on a horse can shorten or lengthen at any time. Look out for horses who prove popular among other punters, especially if their odds start to come down.
5) Use opinions of pundits and tipsters in your research
Read up on what the experts think about trainers, jockeys and horses you may want to back.
6) Study the odds
Study the best Grand National betting sites and compare bookies in order to find the best quality odds in order to maximise any potential winnings.
7) Use offers and bonuses to your advantage
There are always a lot of offers and promos aimed at the Grand National among the best betting sites in the UK. Try to find an offer or bonus that suits you in the build up to the big day.
Looking for Grand National Offers?
Check out our blog on Grand National Offers!
8) Check out the best Grand National betting sites
At Betting.com we have comprehensive top lists of the best betting sites in the UK and the best bookmakers for horse racing and the Grand National.
As the build up to the National and the Aintree Festival continues we will bring you news of the main contenders and will bring you any other stand out offers. Always remember to gamble responsibly.
Prediction
We think that Corach Rambler is looking good to repeat his victory of 12 months ago. So we are tipping him to get the win. Noble Yeats looks like a good value each-way bet.
Check out our tips blog.
Grand National Results
Grand National Results 2024:
| Grand National 2024 | |
| 1 | I Am Maximus |
| 2 | Delta Work |
| 3 | Minella Inda |
| 4 | Galvin |
| 5 | Kitty’s Light |
Check out the best betting sites in the UK with Betting.com.
