The best Grand National betting offers & free bets in April 2026 are available at bet365, Paddy Power, Betfred, BOYLE Sports, and William Hill.
Following the opening day at Aintree, bookmakers have updated their promotions for Ladies Day today, Friday 10 April. Punters can secure over £600 in bonuses to use across today’s card and tomorrow’s showpiece race.
Top Grand National betting offers & free bets
We’ve curated and ranked the top UK bookmakers for the April 2026 Grand National. Here’s a quick look at their key features and Aintree betting offers for new and existing players:
For New Customers. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&C apply. See full T&C
Daily extra place races
5/6 extra places + faller insurance
Money-back specials
New Customer offer. Place a min £5 bet on the sportsbook at odds of min EVS (2.0) and get £30 in free bets. Free bet rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via Pay by Bank, Debit Cards & Apple Pay will qualify for this offer. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly
Online Only. 6 Places @ 1/5 Odds. Single & multiple bets placed 12:00 08/04/26 – 16:00 11/04/26. Win or Each-Way market only. Best Odds Guaranteed does not apply. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply.
Bet Builder Boost
Money Back 2nd/3rd to SP Favourite
18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. T&Cs Apply
Best Odds Guaranteed
Live Streaming
William Hill Radio
18+. Play Safe. Online only. For new UK register customers using promo code G40. Deposit & place £10 cash single bet (min odds 1/2) on sportsbook. Get £40 in Free Bets (4x£10), valid for sportsbook (excl. Virtuals), 7 days expiry, must use in full (£10 each). Not valid with deposits via PayPal, Neosurf, Paysafe, Apple Pay, NETELLER, Skrill, ecoPayz, Kalibra/Postpay or WH PLUS Card. One per customer. Full T&Cs apply. www.gambleaware.org #ad
New members only. Any new account registration or bets settled on 11 April 2026 between 00:00 and 17:00 are not eligible for this Welcome Offer. £10+ bet on sports (ex. virtuals) at 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accepted in 7 days, valid 7 days; £20 use on sportsbook, £10 on Bet Builder. Stake not returned. T&Cs + deposit exclusions apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org. 18+
18+. New UK & ROI customers only . Certain deposit methods & bet types excl . Min first £10 win or E/W bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 & get 4 x £10 free bets . Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cashout, restrictions + T&C apply.
Lucky Double odds boosts
First past the post
2nd to rag insurance
Place a £10 fixed odds single or £10 each-way bet at minimum odds of 1/2 and, once your qualifying bet has been settled, get 3 x £10 free fixed odds bets, 3 x £5 Total Goals football spread bets and 3 x £5 Winning Favourites spread bets and a £1 racing Race Index spread bet. 18+ www.gambleaware.org.
18+ New Customers. Opt in, deposit and bet £10 on any football (odds 1/1+) within 3 days of sign up. Get 3x£10 Free Bets for set football markets. Bonuses expire in 14 days. Scroll down for T&Cs. GambleAware.org. Please gamble responsibly.
New players only. Bet £10 min. odds 1/1 (2.00). No cash-out. Free Bets split into 4 x £5 and are available on 1 x Football Bet Builder, 1 x Acca Bet, 1 x Horse Racing & 1 x UFC. Exclusions & T1C apply.
18+ New customers only. Place a £10+ bet at min odds 1/1 (2.0) within 14 days of sign-up. Get £30 in Free Bets, valid for 7 days on selected bets only. Free stake not returned with winnings. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
Contents
- 1 Top Grand National betting offers & free bets
- 2 Aintree Festival: Day 2 update and betting tips
- 3 Top 5 Aintree festival free bets ranked and reviewed
- 4 Comparing the best Grand National free bets and offers
- 5 How to claim a Grand National free bet
- 6 Types of Grand National betting offers
- 7 What can you use your Grand National free bets on?
- 8 How to watch the 2026 Grand National festival
- 9 Grand National betting offers & free bets FAQs
Aintree Festival: Day 2 update and betting tips
Today the attention turns to the Grand National fences for the first time this week in the Topham.
- The big favourite: Jonbon is the one to beat in the Melling Chase (3.30). After a dominant season, he is widely expected to secure a fifth Aintree success.
- The each-way shout: In the Topham Handicap Chase (4.05), Madara looks well-handicapped following a strong showing at Cheltenham. With many bookmakers paying up to 7 places, he is a solid choice for each-way backers.
- Market mover: Money has started to come in for Wellington Arch in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle (1.45). He won at Uttoxeter recently and returns to Aintree in top condition.
Top 5 Aintree festival free bets ranked and reviewed
Our top 5 picks below include the best betting offers for the Grand National, covering price boosts, money-back specials, and free bets.
- bet365
- Paddy Power
- Betfred
- BOYLE Sports
- William Hill
1) bet365: In-race betting & Non-Runner No Bet
bet365 is a leading option for those wagering in-play across the 21 races at Aintree, providing live updates and numerous betting options as each race unfolds.
Aintree highlights
- Non-runner no bet protection on the Grand National and all festival races
- BOG (Price Promise) active from 10 am for all Aintree races broadcast live on ITV
- Each-way extra allows a choice of 6, 9, or 10 places on selected races
- No benefit cap on best odds guaranteed winnings
- Payout position feature available for ante-post selections
What are the best bet365 offers for Grand National betting?
The bet365 bonus code gives new punters up to £30 in free bets. You need to deposit at least £5 and place a qualifying wager of the same amount at minimum 1/5 (1.20) odds. Their early pricing with a Non-Runner No Bet offer is the gold standard in the market.
bet365 not only price-matches competitors on all Aintree races shown live on ITV from 10 am but also places no cap on Best Odds Guaranteed benefits. These offers are solid safety nets for early and morning punters.
See the bet365 Grand National offer.
Pros
Cons
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Tip for today: Apply the “Each-Way Extra” tool to the Topham Handicap Chase (4.05). This feature lets you increase your place coverage, and it is a practical way to manage a 30-runner field on the National fences.
2) Paddy Power: Extra places and money-back specials
Paddy Power is one of the most popular horse racing betting sites for the Grand National, especially for its faller insurance and odds boosts via Turbo Power Prices. They have an excellent Free Bet club, money back specials, and request-a-bet tools.
Aintree highlights
- Daily BOG from 8 am across all Aintree races
- #WhatOddsPaddy custom bet requests priced up by traders
- Faller insurance if your horse falls during the race
- Pays 5/6 extra places
- Free bets throughout the festival via the Rewards Club
What are the best Paddy Power offers for Grand National betting?
The Paddy Power sign up offer gives new customers £30 in free bets after depositing a minimum of £5 and placing a £5 bet at odds of Evens (2.0) or greater. Their Non-Runner No Bet applies to all ante-post markets, and their Turbo Power Prices regularly boost popular runners to much larger odds ahead of race day.
See the Paddy Power Grand National offer.
Pros
Cons
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Tip for today: Take advantage of Faller Insurance for today’s races over the big fences (4.05), where the risk of a spill is higher.
3) Betfred: Best for each-way place terms & BOG
Betfred is a primary choice for horse racing, particularly during the Aintree festival. Their current focus for the Grand National is on enhanced each-way terms, providing additional security for those backing horses at longer odds.
Aintree highlights
- Paying 6 places at 1/5 odds for each-way bets
- Market available for bets placed until 16:00 on 11 April
- Early pricing available on the full field
- Extra bonuses on successful Aintree tricasts
What are the best Betfred offers for Grand National betting?
The Betfred promo code is normally one of the most generous ones, giving new customers £50 in free bets for a £10 wager. However, for the 2026 festival, Betfred has replaced this standard offer with a special Betfred Grand National offer, paying 6 places. This extra coverage is a distinct advantage for a 34-runner field, particularly for horses in the 16/1 to 25/1 price range.
Pros
Cons
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Tip for today: Betfred is currently paying 6 places at 1/5 odds for the Grand National. This market is active now and remains open until the race starts tomorrow, Saturday 11 April. Note that best odds guaranteed is not available for this specific 6-place offer.
4) BOYLE Sports: Money-back specials and Non-Runner No Bet
BOYLE Sports is a great option for punters who like a safety net on the Grand National bets. Their money-back if 2nd to the SP favourite offer is great in races where leaders often go very close.
Aintree highlights
- Money back as a free bet if your horse finishes 2nd to the SP favourite
- Non-Runner No Bet on all Aintree races
- 6 places paid each-way on the Grand National
- Best Odds Guaranteed from 8 am on race day
- Live streaming available for all 21 races
What are the best BOYLE Sports offers for Grand National betting?
As a first-timer, you can claim the BOYLE Sports sign up offer to get up to £40 in free bets after a minimum deposit and qualifying bet of £10. For existing customers, the money-back special if your horse finishes second to the SP favourite is a useful fallback in the Grand National, where short-priced runners go close regularly.
Pros
Cons
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5) William Hill: Best Odds Guaranteed and live streaming
An official Grand National sponsor, William Hill is a live streaming specialist that offers top-tier BOG. Their ante-post pricing, live streaming, and BOG offer from 8 am covers the full three days of racing.
Aintree highlights
- £40 in Aintree free bets
- Best Odds Guaranteed with a £2,500 benefit cap
- Generous 6-place each way terms
- William Hill Radio for live commentary and expert insights on every race
What are the best William Hill offers for Grand National betting?
For the 2026 Grand National, the bookie is offering an enhanced version of the William Hill welcome offer, boosting from Bet £10 Get £30 to £40 in free bets for new punters. Simply wager £10+ at min 1/2 odds to get 4x £10 free bet tokens.
I was glad to see that William Hill offers prices way ahead of rivals in the ante-post markets. Their BOG runs from 8 am and covers multiples up to £2,500.
See the William Hill Grand National offer.
Pros
Cons
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Tip for today: As the official sponsor of the Handicap Hurdle (1.45), check for enhanced “Top Price Guarantee” on the favourites in the opener.
Comparing the best Grand National free bets and offers
bet365 is the overall best UK betting site for the Grand National offers, tying with William Hill as the top choice for BOG. For price boosts and odds, no other bookmakers can beat Paddy Power and WH. Betfred offers the best each-way place terms, while BOYLE Sports tops for money back specials.
| Bookmaker | Best suited for |
|---|---|
| bet365 | In-race betting |
| William Hill | Best Odds Guaranteed |
| Paddy Power | Price boosts |
| William Hill | Grand National odds |
| Betfred | Each-way place terms |
| BOYLE Sports | Money-back specials |
| Paddy Power | Faller insurance |
| BOYLE Sports | Favourite protection |
| Paddy Power | Custom bet requests |
What to look for when choosing a Grand National free bet offer
When selecting a free bet for Aintree betting, look for the bonus to stake ratio, free bet expiry, min odds, and whether ongoing promos are available. Let’s break them down:
- Free bet value vs. qualifying stake – William Hill’s £40 bonus for a £10 stake provides a 400% ratio, which is higher than the £30 offered by bet365 for the same wager.
- Validity period – Most promotions provide a 7-day window, so ensure they remain valid until April 11, when the festival ends.
- Minimum odds – The bet365 requirement of 1/2 is more flexible than bookies that set even money (1/1) as the minimum for a qualifying wager.
- Racing-only or all sports – You’ll get the most out of the offer if the free bets cover both horse racing and your other favourite sports like football.
- Ongoing promos alongside the welcome deal – The best bookmakers pair their welcome offer with extras like BOG, extra places, and Non-Runner No Bet. bet365 does this well.
How to claim a Grand National free bet
To claim your free bet offer for the Grand National, create an account at your preferred bookmaker, then make the minimum required deposit and qualifying bet. You will receive your free bets to use on qualifying racing markets within 7 to 30 days.
Here’s how to claim step by step:
- Choose your offer – Hit the signup link of one of our recommended Grand National bookies.
- Register – You may need a promo code to activate the free bet offer.
- Deposit – Use a payment method that qualifies for the offer, which often includes debit cards and Apple Pay. Most e-wallets are usually excluded.
- Make your qualifying bet – It pays to keep in mind the min odds, bet amount, and qualifying markets. You can do this on any Aintree race from Thursday, 9 April, to give the bet time to settle before the Grand National on Saturday.
- Receive and use your free bets – free bet tokens are credited after your qualifying bet settles, usually within minutes.
Types of Grand National betting offers
The most popular Grand National betting offers include welcome free bets for new punters, alongside money-back specials, faller insurance, BOG, odds & price boosts, and NRNB offers for existing players.
Free bets
With this offer, you make a qualifying wager (£5 to £10) at minimum odds to receive free bet tokens. Take the BOYLESports welcome offer, for instance; it gives £40 in free bets when you bet £10+.
Best Odds Guaranteed
BOG is the most useful Aintree betting offer, paying the higher of the early and starting prices. Offered by bet365, BOYLE Sports, Paddy Power, and William Hill, it can come in handy if you want to pick up early prices on races from 8 am on race day.
Extra places
With a 34-runner Grand National field, having extra places paid can be a bet-saver. For example, Betfred is paying 6 places at 1/5 odds for the big race. At bet365, the “Each-Way Extra” tool allows punters to customise their place terms, similar to their popular Cheltenham offers. This allows for 6, 8, or even 10 places on selected races throughout the Aintree festival.
Money-back specials
BOYLE Sports is a specialist in money-back favourite protection offers. If your horse finishes 2nd, 3rd, or 4th to the SP favourite, you will get your stake back as a free bet. The same goes for faller insurance at Paddy Power.
Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB)
If an ante-post selection for tomorrow’s Grand National does not make the final line-up, the NRNB offer ensures the stake is returned in full. This is a standard feature this week at bet365, and William Hill.
Profit boosts
Profit boosts increase your payout by 20% to 50% on a qualifying bet. For example, with NetBet’s profit boost, you can claim up to 50% profit boost on your Grand National accas.
What can you use your Grand National free bets on?
These bonuses are valid for the remaining 14 races of the Aintree festival, covering both today’s Ladies Day card and tomorrow’s Grand National. This includes all graded races and handicaps. It is important to note that ante-post markets typically do not qualify for signup offers, and free bet tokens usually cannot be used on bets placed weeks in advance.
How to watch the 2026 Grand National festival
Racing fans can watch the action live on ITV1 or Racing TV, with coverage for today’s races beginning at 2.00 pm. If you are looking for the full television schedule and digital streaming details, Sports Mole has a guide on how to watch the Grand National 2026.
Most leading bookmakers, including bet365 and William Hill, also provide live streaming for every Aintree race. To access these streams, you typically need to have a funded account or to have placed a small bet on the specific race you wish to watch.
Grand National betting offers & free bets FAQs
What races can I use my free bets on during Ladies Day?
You can use free bets on all seven races during the Ladies Day card today, Friday 10 April. High-profile options include the Melling Chase (3.30) and the Randox Topham Handicap Chase (4.05). Most bookmakers allow these tokens to be used across the full 21-race Aintree Festival schedule, including tomorrow’s Grand National.
What does Best Odds Guaranteed mean for the Grand National?
Best Odds Guaranteed means if you take an early price on a horse and its Starting Price is bigger when the race begins, you are paid at the higher odds. BOG is available from 8 am on race day at bet365, BOYLE Sports, and Paddy Power.
When do Grand National betting free bets expire?
Most free bets for Grand National betting expire after 7 days of being credited. One of the only exceptions is Paddy Power, which offers up to 30 days to use the free bets.
What is an extra place offer for the Grand National?
An extra place offer means a bookmaker pays more places than the standard four on each-way bets. For the Grand National, Betfred pays up to 6 places.
Can you withdraw free bets?
No. Free bets have no cash value and cannot be withdrawn. You have to wager the free bet, upon which you can withdraw the winnings minus the original stake.
When is the Grand National 2026?
The festival is currently live. Today, Friday 10 April, is Ladies Day. The Grand National itself takes place tomorrow, Saturday 11 April, at 4.00 pm.
Can I use my free bets on any race today?
Yes. Most bookmakers allow you to use your free bet tokens on any of the seven races scheduled for Friday 10 April. This includes the Melling Chase and the Topham Chase.