Grand National 2025: How Lucky Is Your Sweepstake Number?

The 177th iteration of the Grand National takes place at Aintree on Saturday, when 34 horses will try to negotiate their way over the 30 fences along the 4m 2½f course, hoping to be the first past the post.

Last year's winner I Am Maximus is one of the favourites with leading betting sites, but luck will have a big part to play in deciding the winner.

The race is one of the most popular with regular bettors, as well as those who like to place a flutter once a year on the most valuable jump race in Europe. 

In the week leading up to the race, many offices up and down the country will have sweepstakes available for those who want to make it that little bit more interesting. 

Check out how racing experts Dean Ryan and Diarmuid Nolan assess and rank every horse set to race in Saturday's Grand National in the video below: 

If you picked number five for last year's race, then you have Paul Townend to thank for leading I Am Maximus to a thrilling win over Delta Win (#11). 

So how well has each number fared in the Grand National in the past?

We’ve analysed every Grand National since the void race in 1993, when Esha Ness raced home first, only for a false start to be declared, to determine the luckiest and unluckiest numbers.

Numbers 10, 4 And 13 Are The Numbers You Want

The number 13 might be unlucky for many people in the every day life, but at Aintree, 13 is one of the numbers you really want to pull in your office sweepstakes.

Like horse racing betting sites, most sweepstakes pay out on the first four home and maybe an additional place or two.

In the last 30 Grand Nationals, horse number 13 has eight top-four finishes - the most for any number. Victory in 2018 was the second since 1993, along with three thirds and three fourths.

In the last three decades, no number has better form. Number 13 has finished fourth, third and fourth.

Paul Nicholls' Bravemansgame has been given 13 this year, and the 10-year-old will look to maintain that impressive record.

If number 13 has gone by the time you get to draw your selection in the sweepstake, then number 10 is another number you want. 

In the last 30 renewals, horse number 10 is the only number to have won the prestigious race three times, while also finishing second, third and fourth.

In our points scoring system, where 10 points are given for a win, seven for finishing runner-up, four for third and two points for fourth, horse number 10 leads the way with 43 points.

Total Points For Every Horse Number Since 1993 

Stumptown is number 10 this year and is well priced at around 9/1 on betting apps.

Completing the top three most successful horse numbers is number four, which has a win, four seconds and a fourth since 1993.

Grangeclare West has been given the number four for Saturday's race. 

Horse number two also has a very good record in the main race at the Aintree festival, with seven top-four finishes, including one win and two seconds. 

Venetia Williams' Royale Pagaille will hope to continue that good recent form.

Good Luck If You Draw Number 20 Or 25

If you draw number 20 or 25 in your office sweepstakes, then you might want to pay for another go. 

In the last 30 Grand Nationals, both numbers have failed to register a top-four finish. 

The closest number 20 got to rewarding the punters who backed it was a sixth-placed finish in 2010 for Snowy Morning and its jockey David Casey. 

This year, Senior Chief can change that narrative as the horse trained by Henry De Bromhead looks to outrun his odds of around 33/1.

Finishing Record For Every Horse Number Since 1993

The best finish for number 25 was in 2007, when Tony Dobbin rode Longshanks to seventh in the year Silver Birch won the race.

Horse number nine has failed to finish more times than any other in the last three decades, failing to complete the challenging race 24 times in 30 attempts.

Trainer Nicholls will hope for better when he sends off Stay Away Fay. 

Can this be the year numbers 20 or 25 register their first ever top-four finish?

Numbers 8 And 12 Look To End Poor Form

Certain numbers seem to do better in the National than others.

For instance, number 15 and 26 have completed the last four renewals, which is the best run of any numbers. 

While number 15's form reads 3rd, 9th, 10th and 20th, number 26 is looking to continue an impressive run, which has seen the number finish seventh, seventh, first and seventh.

Best Recent Finish For All 34 Numbers

At the other end of the form scale, numbers eight and 12 will be looking to end a poor run of results. 

Neither number has finished the race since 2017, when Le Mercurey (12th) and Wonderful Charm (19th) finished well down the places.

This year, Willie Mullins' Minella Cocooner (25/1) will wear number eight, while number 12 will be Nigel Twiston-Davies' Beauport, which can be backed at around 33/1.