The Grand National 2023

The Grand National attracts millions of bettors every year. However, for many, it's their only bet of the year. For this reason, some bookmakers are reluctant to offer the standard free bets as they understand that it is unlikely the customer will be a returning one.

If you want the maximum value for your Grand National bets, we suggest you register and claim free bets with online bookmakers at least 7-14 days before the big race, which usually takes place on the first Saturday of March. You will need to check the expiry terms in the offer's Ts and Cs. Most free bets are valid for 7-28 days.

You can't go wrong with the big brands when it comes to Grand National free bets as they offer the best extra E/W places for the Grand National as well as 'Best Odds Guaranteed'.

The major brands to look out for are William Hill, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, Boylesports, Bet365, Betfair, Coral and Betfred.

Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) offers ensure that you will get the best odds regardless of whether the odds you placed your bets on are less than the final starting price. 

For example, you bet on a horse at the Grand National at 25/1. However, by the time the race started, the price changes to 33/1. You will get the 33/1 'Starting Price', ensuring your getting the maximum betting return. If you bet £10 on your selection, you would have an extra £80 profit based on this offer.

As mentioned, extra places offers are standard on the Grand National. This is when a bookie pays out an extra place on each-way bets. It is common for bookies to pay out on 5 places on each-way Grand National bets. However, bookmakers have been known to go as high as 8 when creating these offers.

While the Grand National race is the highlight of the UK's horse racing calendar, it makes up part of a festival called the Aintree Grand National Festival, which incorporates 21 races. To try and capitalise on the event, many bookmakers will offer acca promotions, tempting players to bet on more than one race. These include acca free bets and acca insurance.

There is nothing more frustrating than a horse you have placed a 'win' bet on losing by a nose. To limit this annoyance, many horse racing betting sites will offer free bets to bettors if their selection loses by a nose. While this may not bring a bettor back in the black, it will soften the blow and give them the funds to place an extra selection!

It is common for there to be 'non-runners' at the Grand National. While this is usually to protect the horse somehow, it can be frustrating for bettors that have backed the horse/horses. This is why some bookies will give punters back their stake as a free bet if their horse ends up being a non-runner.

Most horse racing bookies will offer Grand National free bets in the weeks running up to the race, as well as on the day of the event. Bookies renowned for their generous Grand National free bets include William Hill Sportsbook, Ladbrokes Sportsbook, Paddy Power Sportsbook and Betfred Sportsbook.

On rare occasions, bookmakers will offer no deposit Grand National free bets. These are usually for new players, but can be available to existing customers in some instances.

As the name suggests, a nose-loser free bet is a betting bonus given to players whose horse loses by a nose. These are usually between £5-£10. Be sure to read the full terms and conditions of such offers before hitting 'Claim'.

In some cases, bookies will offer punters free bets if they have backed a non-runner. This is why it is essential to read both the 'site' and 'offer' terms and conditions regarding non-runners before you register an account or claim any horse racing offers.

Grand National free bets come in all shapes and sizes. The type of offer you will receive will depend on the bookmaker you choose. However, the most popular types of free bets include:

• No Deposit Free Bets
• Risk Free Bets
• Deposit Free Bets
• Matched Free Bets
• Acca Free Bets
• Non-runner Free Bets

While there are hundreds of Grand National free bets available, the Grand National is just one of the thousands of events players can bag bonuses for. Whether you are interested in betting on other horse races, football, boxing or even volleyball markets, there will be a bookie offering suitable free bets.