The United Kingdom’s most famous horse race is just weeks away, with sports fans counting down the days until the return of the Grand National.
The British steeplechase, part of a three-day festival, draws eyes from around the globe.
Over 150,000 attended the Grand National Festival at Aintree in 2025, while a further 800 million are estimated to watch the event on TV.
It’s also an event that is of great interest to sports bettors, both at the racecourse and at home.
Ahead of the upcoming edition this year, many will be looking to get the most out of the event with the best free bet offers.
For those attending, watching on TV or following elsewhere, here’s everything you need to know about the Grand National.
When and where is the Grand National Race?
Since the Grand National was first staged in 1839, Aintree Racecourse has played host to the race.
In 2026, the festival is set to run from Thursday 9th April until Saturday 11th April.
There will be 21 races in total, with the first events on Opening Day (Thursday 9th April) and Ladies Day (Friday 10th April) both getting underway at 1:45 p.m. BST.
The final day of the event on Saturday 11th April begins at 12:45 p.m., before culminating with the penultimate race of the festival at 4:00 p.m., the Grand National steeplechase.
How can I watch the Grand National Festival?
The Grand National Festival will be broadcast on ITV in the United Kingdom, allowing British viewers to watch the event for free on terrestrial television.
Alternatively, Racing TV will broadcast every race from the event, although their coverage will require a subscription.
What are the rules for the Grand National Race?
Although the race had previously consisted of 40 riders, that number was reduced to 34 in 2024 to make the race safer for both jockeys and horses.
All riders will race over four miles and two-and-a-half furlongs.
There are 30 fences to jump over the course, 14 of which are jumped twice, which helps to make the Grand National the longest jump racing distance in the UK.
How the Handicap System Operates
To provide a more level playing field and ensure a competitive race, a handicap system is in place for the Grand National.
Horses are assigned a rating by a handicapper, based on a variety of factors including past performance, class of race and recent form.
The highest-rated horse is given the heaviest weight to carry during the race, while weights for all other runners are calculated based on that top weight.
In 2026, the winner of the 2024 Grand National, I Am Maximus, has been given the top weight of 11 stone 12 pounds.
If he were to emerge victorious, he’d become the heaviest winner of the race since Red Rum in 1974.
Who are the favourites for the race?
Despite his handicap, I Am Maximus is still listed as the favourite for the Grand National.
The Willie Mullins-trained horse finished second in 2025 and sits just ahead of Grangeclare West, who came third. Both horses have been handed odds of 10/1.
Behind the top two sits Jagwar, whose second-place finish in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham Festival this year earns him odds of 12/1.
He shares the same odds as Iroko, as Jonjo O’Neill-trained Jonnywho rounds out the top five at 16/1.
However, it’s important to remember that while all odds are correct at time of publication, they are subject to change prior to the race.
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