Betting on the Grand National Online

Sasa, mambo vipi? Let’s take a quick trip back to the early 1800s. The first Grand Liverpool Steeplechase—later known as the Grand National—was won by Lottery in February 1839. Back then, horses jumped a stone wall, crossed a field and finished over two small hurdles. In 1843, famed handicapper Edward William Topham turned it into a handicap race, making it fairer and more thrilling. The Topham family, who owned land in Aintree, bought the course outright from Lord Sefton in 1949. Today, Jockey Club Racecourses runs Aintree and keeps the Grand National’s magic alive.

Fast-forward to recent years and you’ve got big money on the line. In 2014, the prize pool hit seven figures for the first time. By the 2017 edition, that purse stood at £1 million (KSh 170,878,869), making it Europe’s richest jump race to date. Poa, right?

The Grand National course is an irregular triangle you tackle twice—around four-and-a-half miles in total. Aintree’s fences are legendary for testing both jockeys and horses. Becher’s Brook and Valentine Brook (fences 6 and 22) may not look huge, but the landing side drops about ten inches lower than the take-off side. The names come from old-school stories: jockey Captain Martin Becher once hid in that brook to avoid a crash, while Valentine’s Brook got its name from a horse that seemed to land backwards in 1840.

Then there’s The Chair—the tallest fence at five feet two inches—and Foinavon, one of the smaller obstacles, named after a 100/1 outsider who dodged a pile-up in 1967. After that fence, runners take a sharp left turn. Knowing these types of fences can help you spot horses with the right jumping style.

Since 1960, the Grand National has been shown live in the United Kingdom on free-to-air TV. Today, over 500 million viewers in 140 countries tune in across the three-day festival. Even with only about 30% of Kenyans online, many still follow the action on mobile-friendly platforms or catch highlights later. Tickets at Aintree attract over 150,000 racing fans each year, and ITV plus Racing TV handle the live coverage.

Just like many Kenyans enjoy betting tips on English Premier League soccer matches, the Grand National gives you another chance to mix in some betting fun.

Why It’s a Top Bet

The Grand National is famous not just for its thrills but for its giant field of runners—often 40 horses—turning it into a bit of a lottery. Even newbies who’ve never bet on horses line up to place a wager. Remember Mon Mome in 2009, winning at 100/1? People pick a horse by the jockey’s silks colour, the name they like or jump into a work sweepstake. These fun traditions are why it outshines most other races.

With licensed BCLB sites like Betika and SportPesa, you can access a range of online sports betting options. Payment’s simple with M-Pesa or Airtel Money—no need for credit cards. Sites are optimised for Kenya’s average 12 Mbps speeds, so even with limited internet you can check the latest horse racing today results or odds on the go. Just log in, find the Grand National market and you’re set.

Most KSh bets use straight win or place choices. An each-way bet splits your stake in two: half on the horse to win, half on it to finish in the top three. Check the rules on each-way bets before you play, since each bookie may pay out slightly differently.

Smart Strategies for the Big Race

Accumulator bets can turn a small stake into a big return if all selections win—though one miss and the whole ticket goes down. It’s similar to football accumulator bets, but the distance and fences make form study crucial. Look for horses who've finished long-distance hunt races before; they know how to handle those jumps. That’s better than fancy maths betting strategies if you ask me.

Shwari? Achana na mimi when chasing losses. Keep it responsible—don’t bet more than you can afford. If you ever feel it’s too much, hit up the helpline at 0800 722 200 or visit Responsible Gaming KE. Remember, 18+ only and always bet responsibly.

18+ | Play responsibly – Responsible Gaming KE | Helpline: 0800 722 200