The Grand National is the most famous horse race in the world. Held every April at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, England, this grueling steeplechase has been captivating audiences since 1839.
The 2026 Grand National takes place this Saturday, April 11th, with a post time of 4pm local time (11am ET). The 2024 winner I Am Maximus is the favourite, looking to become the first horse to regain the Grand National title since Red Rum in the 1970s. Last year’s winner Nick Rockett has been ruled out due to illness, which has shaken up the betting market heading into race day.
Bet365.com is our recommended sportsbook for betting on the Grand National from Canada. They offer a full range of horse racing betting markets, live streaming of the race, and competitive odds on every runner.
Below is a step by step guide to placing your Grand National bets at Bet365.
Bet On The Grand National In Canada – Step By Step Guide
#1 Open A Bet365 Account
The first thing you will need to do is open an online betting account. We recommend Bet365 for Grand National betting. They are the official betting partner of Woodbine Racetrack and offer one of the best horse racing betting experiences available to Canadians.
Bet365 is fully licensed through iGaming Ontario for bettors in that province, and also serves the rest of Canada through their international site.
#2 Deposit
Now that you’ve opened your account you’ll have to make a deposit in order to have some money online with which to wager.
Bet365 accepts deposits by Visa, MasterCard, Interac, and several other Canadian-friendly payment methods. All deposits are processed in Canadian dollars.
If you need more information about how to place a deposit check out our deposit options page.
#3 Place Your Grand National Bets
Now that you have money in your account you’re ready to bet on the Grand National. Navigate to the Horse Racing section from the main menu and select race #6 on Saturday at Aintree (found under the UK & Ireland header).
Bet365 has Win/Place/Show markets, each-way wagers on the outright winner, and several other betting options for the race as well. I’ve broken down the main bet types below.
That’s it! You should be ready to bet! Click here to visit Bet365.
Grand National Bet Types
If you’re new to horse racing betting, here is a quick breakdown of the bet types you’ll find at Bet365 for the Grand National. For a deeper look at how horse racing odds work, check out our guide to parimutuel betting.
Win – The simplest bet. Pick the horse you think will finish first. With 30+ runners in the field, even the favourite typically has odds of 6/1 or longer, so the payouts can be solid.
Each Way – This is by far the most popular Grand National bet. An each-way wager is two bets in one: half your stake goes on your horse to win, and the other half goes on it to place (number of places that qualifies for the payout depends on the bookmaker’s terms). If your horse doesn’t win but finishes in the places, you still collect. For a big-field race like the Grand National, each-way betting is a good option. You can learn more about the basics in our win, place or show guide.
Place – A standalone bet on your horse to finish in the top 2 places without needing to win outright.
Show – A standalone bet on your horse to finish in the top 3 places without needing to win outright.
Exacta (Forecast) – Pick two horses to finish first and second in the exact order.
Trifecta (Tricast) – Pick three horses to finish first, second, and third in the correct order. These are harder to hit but the payouts can be huge. For more on exactas, trifectas, and other complex wagers, see our exotic bets page.
Each Way Extra – This is a Bet365-specific feature that lets you choose your own place terms on selected races. You can increase the number of places paid out in exchange for adjusted odds, which is a great option for a 34-runner race.
2026 Grand National – Key Contenders
Here are some of the leading contenders heading into Saturday’s race:
I Am Maximus (13/2) – The 2024 winner and 2025 runner-up is the clear favourite. The 10-year-old is trained by Willie Mullins and will be ridden by Paul Townend. The big question: no horse has won carrying top weight since Red Rum in 1974, and I Am Maximus is saddled with 11st 12lb for the second year in a row. He also needs to overcome the age trend, with 10 of the last 11 winners aged between seven and nine.
Grangeclare West (10/1) – Also trained by Mullins, this 10-year-old finished third in last year’s Grand National and won the Bobbyjo Chase in February. Patrick Mullins takes the ride after switching from the now-withdrawn Nick Rockett.
Panic Attack (12/1) – Dan Skelton’s mare has had a brilliant season, winning both the Paddy Power Gold Cup and Coral Gold Cup. No mare has won the Grand National since Nickel Coin in 1951, but she has the current form to challenge that drought.
Jagwar (14/1) – A 7-year-old trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero. Talented and showing strong Cheltenham form (runner-up in the Ultima), but questions remain about whether he has the stamina for this marathon distance.
Iroko (14/1) – Came from the back of the field at the first fence to finish fourth last year. Has solid form this season but a disappointing run in the Ultima at Cheltenham saw his odds drift slightly.
Johnnywho (14/1) – Won the Ultima Handicap Chase at last month’s Cheltenham Festival on his first start back from a wind operation, beating Jagwar in the process. Could offer good value.
Nick Rockett – Non-Runner. Last year’s champion was forced to withdraw on Thursday due to a cough. His replacement Pied Piper was also scratched, and Imperial Saint has stepped into the field.
All odds from Bet365, as of April 10, 2026. Subject to change.
Grand National Betting Tips
A few things worth keeping in mind before you place your bets:
Bet each way. In a 34-runner race over this distance, upsets happen regularly. An each-way bet gives you a safety net, which can be very helpful especially if you’re backing a horse at double-digit odds.
Consider the weights. Horses carrying lighter weights have a statistical advantage over the Grand National distance. The last several winners have all carried 11st 4lb or less.
Age matters. The sweet spot for a Grand National winner is between 8 and 10 years old. Horses in that range tend to have the right balance of experience and fitness to handle Aintree’s unique demands.
Check the going. Ground conditions at Aintree can shift the market significantly. Some horses thrive on soft ground while others need it firmer. Keep an eye on weather reports in the days leading up to the race.
Why Bet365 For The Grand National?
Bet365 is one of the best sportsbooks for horse racing betting, and they offer several features that are especially useful for the Grand National. You can read our full Bet365 review for a detailed breakdown, but here are the highlights:
- Competitive odds on all 34 runners
- Best Odds Guaranteed on selected races
- Each Way Extra to customise your place terms
- Live streaming of the race directly through the Bet365 app or website
- Non-Runner No Bet on ante-post Grand National wagers, meaning if your horse doesn’t run, you get your money back
- Position Payout for the 2026 Grand National, which rewards you based on how high your horse finishes, even if it doesn’t win
- Available to Canadian bettors in every province
Click here to visit Bet365 and bet on the 2026 Grand National.
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