The best Grand National betting offers & free bets for the big race today, Saturday 11 April 2026, are available at bet365, Paddy Power, Betfred, BOYLE Sports, and William Hill.
With the showpiece race scheduled for 4.00 pm at Aintree, bookmakers have released their final promotions. Punters can access over £600 in bonuses to use across today’s card, featuring the most famous steeplechase in the world.
You love horse racing? Read our content about the best cheltenham betting sites available in UK.
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:
- Each-Way Extra: pick up to 10 places
- Best Odds Guaranteed from 8am on race day
-
Licensed in: GB
Licensed in: GB
- 6 places at 1/5 odds on the 16:00 Aintree
- Money back as a free bet if your horse falls
-
Licensed in: GB
- 6 places at 1/5 odds on each-way bets
- Early pricing on the full field
-
Licensed in: GB
- Stake back as a free bet if your horse is beaten
- 6 places at 1/5 odds on the National
-
Licensed in: GB
- Increased place terms across the Saturday card
- Each Way Extra: choose your own place terms
-
Licensed in: GB
- £20 free bet for the sportsbook, £10 for Bet Builder
- Qualifying bet at minimum odds of 1.5
-
Licensed in: GB
- 5 places instead of 4 at 1/5 odds on the National
- Cash or free bet stakes both qualify
-
Licensed in: GB
- £10 free fixed-odds bet plus 2 x £10 spread bets
- New customers only, £10 qualifying bet
-
Licensed in: GB
- 3 x £10 free bets after a £10 qualifying bet
- Free bets valid for 14 days
-
Licensed in: GB
- 4 x £5 free bets, one of them for horse racing
- Up to 50% profit boost on Grand National accas
-
Licensed in: GB
- £30 in free bets for a £10 qualifying bet
- 14 days from sign-up to qualify
-
Licensed in: GB
Betting tips for the Grand National day
The final day of the 2026 Aintree festival features a seven-race card, culminating in the world’s most famous steeplechase.
- The Grand National (4.00): I Am Maximus remains a strong presence at the top of the market, but money is starting to flow for Panda Boy and Meetingofthewaters. For a selection further down the weights, Latenightpass has a superb record over these fences and could outrun his odds.
- The Maghull Novices’ Chase (3.00): After a standout performance earlier in the week, Found A Fifty looks the class act here. He has the speed for this flat track and should prove difficult to peg back.
- The Bridle Road Handicap Hurdle (1.45): This is a wide-open opener. West Balboa won this race last year and returns on a competitive mark. With most bookmakers paying extra places for the first race of the day, she is a solid each-way option.
Top 5 Grand National day offers ranked and reviewed
Our top 5 picks for the final day of the Aintree festival include the best UK betting offers for the Grand National, Saturday 11 April. These cover enhanced place terms, faller insurance, and massive free bet bundles.
- bet365
- Paddy Power
- Betfred
- BOYLE Sports
- William Hill
1) bet365: In-race betting & each-way extra
bet365 remains the top choice for flexibility on Grand National day, especially for punters who want to dictate their own place terms as the market moves.
Aintree highlights
- Each-Way Extra: Select up to 10 places for the Grand National (4.00).
- Price Promise: bet365 will not be beaten on price for any race shown live on ITV.
- BOG: Best Odds Guaranteed active from 8 am today.
- No Benefit Cap: No limits on BOG winnings for Aintree races.
What are the best bet365 Grand National bet offers?
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.
For the big race today, their “Each-Way Extra” tool is the standout feature, allowing you to add more places for a slightly reduced price, which is perfect for the 34-runner National field.
Pros
Cons
/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.sportsmole.co.uk%2Fonline%2F2026%2F04%2Fbet365-the-national-2026-antepost-odds.jpg)
Tip for today: Use the Each-Way Extra tab for the Grand National (4.00). Increasing your coverage to 8 or 10 places provides a massive safety net for long-odds selections.
2) Paddy Power: 6 places and faller insurance
Paddy Power is one of the best horse racing betting sites for the Grand National, especially for its faller insurance and odds boosts via Turbo Power Prices. Paddy Power has launched an online exclusive for Grand National day, pivoting from their standard welcome offer to focus entirely on place security and insurance.
Aintree highlights
- 6 Places exclusive for the 16:00 Aintree (1/5 odds).
- Money back as a free bet if your horse falls, unseats, or is brought down.
- Frequent odds boosts on the National favourites throughout the morning.
- BOG applies from 8 am on the day of the race.
What are the best Paddy Power offers for Grand National betting?
Instead of the standard Paddy Power sign up offer, the main draw today is the 6-place special. Unlike many bookies that require a new account, this is available to all existing customers for the Grand National. If the field size holds, you get 1/5 odds for the first 6 home.
Pros
Cons
/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.sportsmole.co.uk%2Fonline%2F2026%2F04%2Fpaddy-power-grand-national-6-places-offer.jpg)
Tip for today: Combined with the 6-place offer, use Faller Insurance. It covers the most common ways to lose a bet at Aintree without the horse actually being beaten on merit.
3) Betfred: Best for each-way place terms
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 backing horses in the 20/1+ bracket.
Pros
Cons
/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.sportsmole.co.uk%2Fonline%2F2026%2F04%2Fbetfred-grand-national-offer.jpg)
Tip for today: Since BOG doesn’t apply to the 6-place market, wait until closer to the 4.00 off to see if your horse’s price drifts before locking it in.
4) BOYLE Sports: £60 in free bets & money-back specials
BoyleSports is offering the most aggressive bonus for the final day, with a massive bundle aimed at new customers from Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Aintree highlights
- Bet £10 Get £60 for new IRE/NI customers.
- Money Back Special: Stake back as a free bet if your horse is 2nd or 3rd to the SP favourite.
- Paying 6 places at 1/5 odds on the National.
- Bet Builder Boost: Fixed percentage boost on winning Aintree Bet Builders.
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 £60 in free bets. You only need to wager £10 at Evens (2.0) or greater to trigger it. Additionally, their “2nd or 3rd to SP Favourite” offer is a great safety net for the National, where the favourite is often heavily backed.
Pros
Cons
/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.sportsmole.co.uk%2Fonline%2F2026%2F04%2Fboylesports-grand-national-day-offer.jpg)
5) William Hill: Extra places on every race
An official Grand National sponsor, William Hill is a live streaming specialist that offers top-tier BOG. For the final day, they are going all-in on extra places for the whole Saturday card at Aintree.
Aintree highlights
- Increased place terms for the entire Saturday card.
- Each Way Extra: A separate market where you select your own number of places from 10 am.
- Live commentary and tips for all seven races today.
- BOG applies to standard markets with a high £2,500 cap.
What are the best William Hill offers for Grand National betting?
Instead of the standard William Hill welcome offer, the bookie is offering two ways to play: the Extra Place market (standard price, BOG applies) or the Each Way Extra market (different price, no BOG, choose your places). This variety is a great way to spread your bets across the whole day.
I was also 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.
Pros
Cons
/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.sportsmole.co.uk%2Fonline%2F2026%2F04%2Fwilliam-hill-extra-places-grand-national.webp)
Tip for today: For the Maghull Novices’ Chase (3.00), check the Extra Place banners on-site; they often double the places for these smaller-field graded races.
Comparing the best Grand National free bets and offers
bet365 is the overall best UK gambling site for the Grand National day, especially for those using the “Each-Way Extra” tool to customise place terms. William Hill remains a top choice for BOG with its high benefit cap, while Paddy Power and WH lead the way for price boosts and competitive odds.
Betfred is the most reliable for consistent 6-place terms, and BoyleSports offers the strongest protection with its 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 |
| BOYLESports | Money-back specials |
| Paddy Power | Faller insurance |
| BOYLESports | Favourite protection |
| Paddy Power | Custom bet requests |
Choosing the right free bet on the Grand National
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 – Look for the best return on your initial bet. For example, the BOYLESports offer of £60 in free bets for a £10 stake is a 600% ratio.
- Validity period – Most Grand National promos have a 7-day window. Since today is the final day of the festival, make sure you use any credited tokens before they expire next week.
- Minimum odds – Check how risky your qualifying bet needs to be. Bet365 is quite flexible with 1/2 (1.50) odds, while others like Paddy Power or BoyleSports require Evens (2.00) to trigger the bonus.
- Market restrictions – Some free bets are specifically for horse racing, while others can be used on football or other sports. If you want to use your winnings on the Premier League later tonight, check the terms first.
- Ongoing promos – The best bookmakers pair their welcome offer with extras like BOG, extra places, and Non-Runner No Bet. Paddy Power and William Hill are strong in this area today.
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 – Keep an eye on the minimum odds and bet amount. You can place this on any of the early races on today’s Saturday card to ensure your free bets are ready to use for the Grand National at 4.00 pm.
- 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 £60 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, BOYLESports, 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. Betfred and Paddy Power are both 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)
This was a key feature for those backing horses earlier in the week at Bet365 and William Hill, but it has now been replaced by standard “Rule 4” terms as the final field is confirmed for today’s 4.00 pm start.
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 seven races of the Aintree festival today. This covers the entire Grand National card, including all graded races like the Maghull Novices’ Chase and the big one at 4.00 pm. It is worth remembering that free bet tokens usually cannot be used on ante-post markets and are intended for bets placed on today’s live runners.
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 12.55 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 today?
You can use free bets on all seven races during the Grand National day card today, Saturday 11 April. High-profile options include the Maghull Novices’ Chase (3.00) and the Grand National (4.00) itself. Most bookmakers allow these tokens to be used across any race on the final day of the Aintree Festival.
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.
Are there any Grand National betting offers for existing customers?
Yes, all the major bookmakers have deals for regular players today. Paddy Power has the £50,000 Eliminator free-to-play game and Faller Insurance. William Hill offers the Each Way Extra tool to pick your own places, while BOYLESports has a money-back special if your horse is 2nd or 3rd to the SP favourite. Bet365 also has a Price Promise, ensuring they won’t be beaten on price for any race shown live on ITV.
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 today’s Grand National, Betfred and Paddy Power are paying 6 places, while Bet365 and William Hill allow you to customise your terms to potentially reach 10 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 main event takes place today, Saturday 11 April, at 4.00 pm. It is the highlight of the three-day Aintree Festival, which concludes this evening.
Can I use my free bets on the Grand National?
Yes. Most bookmakers allow you to use your free bet tokens on the Grand National (4.00). However, it is a good idea to place your qualifying bet on one of the earlier races on the card, such as the 1.45 or 2.25, to ensure your free bets are credited in time for the big race.