Each April, the
manages to captivate the horse racing world due to its being amongst the most challenging and ultimately prestigious events in UK sports. Taking place at the iconic Aintree racecourse, this draws fans eager to witness the thrilling competition as 40 top-grade horses battle it out on the track. Due to there being so many participants, bettors often analyse key factors like the runners' stamina, form, jockey, trainer and jumping ability over fences before making any selections for themselves.
However, some people prefer to take a more superstitious approach, choosing numbers which they believe to be lucky. Surprisingly, certain numbers have proven to be more successful than others in the
, or in some cases, rather unfortunate.
Which Grand National Numbers Have Won The Most?
Over the past 23 Grand National outings, there have been a total of 16 different numbers which have gone on to claim victory. The most consistent winning numbers tend to fall between 11 and 29, with these accounting for 12 different champions within this time frame. However, there have been a handful of numbers that have stood out as repeat numbers, with 10, 12, 29 and 35 all taking first place twice. This makes them some of the most successful and lucky Grand National numbers in recent history.
Which Grand National Numbers Place Frequently?
It's not just outright win markets available when it comes to Grand National betting either, with each-way options also being among some of the most popular provided by bookmakers. Depending on the platform, these betting sites could offer between 4 and 6 places, with each way bets covering both a win and place within the specific positions. Interestingly, over the last 22 years, 8, 25 and 39 have never finished within the top 6 spots.
Alternatively, the number 27 has secured second place on 4 separate occasions, doing so more often than all other numbers. However, when considering overall top 6 places, number 37 is the frontrunner, placing in this range 5 times since 2010, with no other number managing to achieve more than 3 top 6
over the same period.
Which Grand National Numbers Have Finished The Most Often?
Since 2000, over 900 horses have competed in the Grand National; however, just over 200 of these have managed to actually cross the finish line. Given its record for top 6 finishes, it is no surprise that the number 37 leads the way in race completions. Close behind, however, are numbers 10, 24 and 32, all of which have completed the race more than 10 times each.
Which Grand National Numbers Struggle to Finish the Race?
While some Grand National numbers consistently reach the finish line, others have had a much jaded time. Over the last 22 editions, numbers 6 and 9 have only managed to complete the race on 4 separate occasions each, making them amongst the most unreliable in terms of actually finishing. Numbers in the range of 1 and 9 have generally had a poor record when it comes to completing the Grand National as well, with many of these failing to finish on multiple occasions. However, when it comes to 31 specifically, this stands out as especially unlucky, only finishing the race once between the years 2010 and 2024.
What Are The Most Unlucky Grand National Numbers?
A horse falling can happen for several different reasons; falling at one of the challenging 30 fences around the
is one of the most common reasons. Colliding with other runners and even unseating jockeys after a rocky landing also result in the horse falling. Among all the numbers, though, 20 has seemingly encountered the most misfortune, only managing to complete the race 4 times between 2000 and 2024. For some strange reason, this number has frequently been brought down or unseated, making it one of the most unlucky Grand National numbers in the event's history.
How Grand National Lucky Numbers Impact The Race
Whether you are a stats-driven bettor or someone who prefers to follow Grand National lucky numbers, the history of this legendary steeplechase provides fascinating insight into which numbers have struggled and succeeded the most. Although understanding these historical trends may help to choose selections for the upcoming race, it is key to remember that luck and the strategy of the horse are the main deciding factors, with the overall unpredictability of Aintree’s crowning event being what has made it so popular today.
At Racing TV, we also provide all of the most best
and even expert
, which you could potentially factor in alongside the lucky numbers if making any decisions.