Log in
Back
Irish Grand National Betting Guide | LeoVegas

The Irish Grand National is the most prestigious jump race in Ireland. Like its counterparts in the UK, the Irish event is a test of endurance over a lengthy course with no fewer than twenty-four fences to negotiate. This Irish Grand National betting guide will tell you all you need to know about the event.

How to Bet on the Irish Grand National

Placing Bets on LeoVegas

  • Here are the essential steps for betting on Irish Grand National Markets:
  • Log on to your account and head for the horse racing section.
  • Click on your preferred odds, and a betslip will open.
  • Enter your stake - details of your outlay and potential returns will be shown.
  • Click to confirm, and your bet is placed.

Betting Markets Overview:

  • Outright Winner (Win or Each Way)

There are lots of different markets for Irish horse racing betting, and the outright win is the most straightforward. You’re backing a single horse to win the race. Each-way betting is a popular alternative to outright wins, and comes in two parts.

  • Place Betting

Place betting means staking on a horse to finish in a high position. In a race such as this, a place bet will generally pay out if your horse finishes inside the top four.

  • Forecast & Tricast Bets

As any National Hunt betting guide will tell you, a forecast bet relates to the first and second-place runners, while a tricast bet predicts the top three finishers in the right order.

  • Match Betting

Match betting picks two horses, and the bettor decides which will finish higher up the field. In a race as big as the Irish Grand National, there will be many match bets.

  • Over/Under Markets (Winning Distance)

Over and under markets offer a bet on the winning distance. There will be a series of lines, and the bettor decides whether to bet over or under one or more of those lines.

Irish Grand National Betting Tips & Strategies

  • Form and Stamina:

This race is a test of stamina and endurance, and not every horse is up to the challenge. It’s good to see if your runner has competed well in similar testing races such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Form is important in any event, so consider your horse’s most recent outings.

  • Course Specialists:

Many of the horses will have already competed around the Fairyhouse course. If they have enjoyed success here, they may be strong contenders for the Irish Grand National.

  • Trainer & Jockey Stats:

Certain jockeys and trainers have a better record in this race than others. Use this information when looking to make your Irish horse racing predictions.

  • Each-Way Betting:

If you like the look of a horse but are not confident it will win, an each-way bet is a good alternative. This is a stake in two parts, a win and a place. A payout will land if the horse wins or finishes inside the top four.

The trends used for compiling this Irish Grand National betting guide show that, using results up to and including the 2024 race, only three of the previous eleven winners were favourites. Meanwhile, six of those winners carried odds of 12/1 or longer. Weight and the handicapping system can play a part, while wins tend to be shared around owners and trainers.

Why the Irish Grand National is Unpredictable

Even if a horse has the strength to make it round the circuit, those twenty-four fences stand in the way. A stumble, an unseated rider, or some other twist can end the race for any horse. Irish horse racing predictions involve an element of guesswork due to those factors, together with a large field of around thirty runners. External weather and ground conditions can also play a part.

  • Underdog Victories: Since this race was first run in 1870, there have been many underdog winners of the Irish Grand National. In 2021, Freewheelin Dylan came home to win the race at incredible odds of 150/1. This was the highest-priced winner in the National, but there have been other surprise results.
  • Handicap Weights:

Weight allocations are in place to make sure no horse has an advantage. This helps level the playing field when betting on the Irish Grand National.

Betting on the Irish Grand National: Key Considerations

  • Race-Day Conditions: Conditions can play a big part in the final outcome. Some runners will prefer soft ground, while others will need the surface to be firm. You can check weather forecasts in advance or wait until the day of the race for confirmed conditions.

  • Non-Runners & Reserve Horses:

Horses can be withdrawn ahead of the race for a number of reasons. It can be frustrating to bet on a non-runner, but this opens the field to reserve horses to come into contention.

  • Ante-Post Betting:

Betting in the ante-post markets will often provide longer Irish Grand National odds. Many bettors like to look for extra value ahead of the race, but ante-post betting does offer the possibility of staking on a future non-runner.

Why Bet on the Irish Grand National?

  • Big Field, Big Opportunities: A bigger field offers scope for upsets, and the Irish Grand National displays bigger opportunities than most races.
  • Unique Race Dynamics:

When considering your best bets for Irish Grand National markets, factors include distance, fences, and the handicap system. These combine for a set of unique dynamics for this historic event.

  • Connection to the UK Grand National: Some horses that appear in the Irish Grand National will also compete in the UK equivalent. Strong records at the Aintree Grand National can offer useful pointers for the Irish race.