What is an each-way bet and why is it popular for the Grand National?

An each-way bet is two bets in one: a win bet and a place bet, at equal stakes. If your horse wins, both parts pay out. If it finishes in a specified place position without winning, only the place part pays — at a fraction of the full odds, typically 1/4 or 1/5. For the Grand National, each-way betting is popular because the large field of 34 runners means bookmakers offer extended place terms, often paying out on five or six places. With 82% of Grand National bets being £5 or less, each-way gives casual punters a realistic possibility of a return even when their horse does not win. The nation's punt has always been an each-way affair.

How many places are bookmakers paying on the Grand National 2026?

Place terms vary by bookmaker and can change in the run-up to the race, so checking closer to the event is essential. Standard terms for the Grand National are four places at 1/4 odds, but most major operators enhance them for this race to attract once-a-year customers. Enhanced offers typically range from five places at 1/4 odds to six places at 1/5 odds, with the most generous operators occasionally offering six places at 1/4 odds. Compare at least three bookmakers before placing your each-way bet for 2026. The difference between four and six places can mean the difference between losing your stake and collecting a return.

How do I place a bet on the Grand National online — step by step?

Choose a bookmaker licensed by the UK Gambling Commission — look for the licence number in the site's footer. Register with your name, date of birth and address, and verify your identity (most operators run automated checks). Deposit funds using a debit card, bank transfer or e-wallet — credit cards cannot be used for UK gambling. Navigate to the Grand National market under the horse racing section, click the odds next to your chosen horse, select win only or each-way in the bet slip, enter your stake, review the details, and confirm. The process takes under ten minutes. If you prefer betting in person, visit any high-street betting shop, fill in a paper slip and hand it to the cashier with your money.

About Us

Bet on Grand National is an independent editorial website dedicated to providing comprehensive, data-driven guides and analysis for the Grand National and related UK horse racing events. Our aim is to help readers — from first-time punters to experienced form students — understand how betting on the Grand National works, make informed decisions and enjoy the race responsibly.

What We Do

We research and publish detailed content covering every aspect of Grand National betting. This includes step-by-step guides to placing a bet, explanations of bet types such as each-way, forecast and tricast wagers, analysis of odds and bookmaker place terms, profiles of key runners and contenders, course and fence breakdowns for Aintree, and strategies grounded in historical data and form analysis. Our content is updated ahead of each year’s Grand National to reflect the latest runners, odds, declarations and market movements.

Our Editorial Approach

All content on this site is produced independently. We are not owned, operated or funded by any bookmaker, gambling operator or racing body. Our guides draw on publicly available data from sources including the UK Gambling Commission, Entain, the Betting and Gaming Council, the British Horseracing Authority and the Racing Post. Where we reference statistics, we cite the original source so that readers can verify the information themselves.

We do not guarantee outcomes. Horse racing is inherently unpredictable, and the Grand National — a 34-runner handicap steeplechase over four miles of the most demanding fences in British racing — is among the most difficult races in the calendar to predict. Our guides are designed to improve understanding and support informed decision-making, not to promise profits.

Who We Write For

The Grand National is the most widely bet-upon horse race in the world. Approximately 13 million people in the United Kingdom place a wager on the race each year, and the vast majority of them stake modest amounts as part of the social occasion. We write primarily for UK-based readers aged 18 and over, including those who bet only once a year on the National, returning bettors looking to refine their approach, and more experienced punters seeking analytical depth. We also welcome readers from Ireland and elsewhere who follow Aintree.

Responsible Gambling

We believe that betting on the Grand National should be entertaining, affordable and safe. Every piece of content we publish includes a reminder to bet responsibly, and we maintain a dedicated section on responsible gambling that covers setting budgets, using deposit limits and self-exclusion tools, and recognising the signs of problem gambling. We encourage all readers to use only bookmakers licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and to access support from GambleAware or GamStop if they need it.

Accuracy and Corrections

We take accuracy seriously. If you believe any information on this site is incorrect or out of date, please let us know and we will review and correct it promptly. Odds, runner details and bookmaker terms change frequently in the lead-up to the Grand National, and while we make every effort to keep our content current, readers should always verify specific figures with their chosen bookmaker before placing a bet.