Grand National 2025: What does it mean when a horse is a NAP and how does each-way work?

The renowned is set to raise its flag and lower the tapes soon, with a whopping £1million prize up for grabs and boasting rights to match. have been the stage for this premier handicap steeplechase since 1829.

Over the years, the National has turned horses like and into household names, while simultaneously breaking the hearts of countless bettors. For those less acquainted with the world of horse racing - and the often complex jargon that comes with placing a bet - Express Sport provides a comprehensive guide to understanding everything you need to know with Aintree in full swing, from NAP to BOG.

NAP and NB

If you hear the term NAP being thrown around, typically by a horse racing tipster, it refers to their top bet of the day's racing. The term is an abbreviation for Napoleon and originates from a card game of the same name, reports .

When a player believes they have won the game, they declare 'Napoleon', and this phrase has stuck when referring to a punter's top daily pick. Alongside NAPs, the acronym NB also comes into play - standing for next best. This choice would be the person's second favourite bet for the day.

Each-way and Place

In races with large fields and even larger odds, each-way bets are the punters' preference. With each-way betting, you're essentially making two bets: one for the horse to win, and another for it to place - which for a major race like the National can extend up to the first seven, depending on the bookmaker. If a horse emerges victorious, you'll receive a payout for both the win and the place. However, even if it narrowly misses out on first place or manages to finish among the top few, you'll still get a payout, typically one-quarter or one-fifth of the odds offered.

For instance, a £10 each-way bet would mean your total stake is £20. If the selection has odds of 10/1 or 11.00, then a £10 E/W bet would yield £140 for a win, and £30 should it place (essentially staking £10 at 2/1 or 3.00). You can also opt to bet solely on the place market, which could be a smart move if you're not confident about the horse winning. You don't need to worry about them finishing first, just within the specified places.

Market Mover

A horse whose odds either drift or shorten is known as a Market Mover - a selection that sees significant price changes throughout the race day. Many punters use these fluctuations to decide which horse to back. A horse that's 'strong in the market' attracts plenty of bets and sees its odds shorten, while a horse that's 'weak in the market' sees its odds drift, often due to lack of interest.

Odds-on and Odds-against

An odds-on shot refers to a selection so favoured that bookmakers set their price below even money, or 2.00. So, if you place a straight, single bet on this horse to win, your overall winnings would be less than your stake. Conversely, a horse with odds above even money is referred to as odds-against.

There will be no such favouritism in this year's Grand National, a race known for its large field and unpredictability. In fact, the shortest odds ever offered on a National winner were 11/4 or 3.75, achieved by Poethlyn in 1919. Gold Cup victor Inothewayurthinkin was entered for the National, and following his triumph at Cheltenham, his odds shortened to a similar price of 3-1 or 4.00 in some places. However, the decision has been made not to run the gelding.

BOG and SP

Online bookmakers may offer Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) on the day of a race. This means that if you back a horse at certain odds and these drift to larger odds (meaning a higher payout), they will pay you out at the larger Starting Price (SP). This offer typically starts on the morning of race day. The SP is the price at which a horse begins the race. So, if you fancy a 10/1 shot online and it goes off at, say, 20/1 and wins, you'll be paid as if you had backed the horse at 20/1. However, not all bookmakers provide this service.