HOW TO PLACE A BET...

YOU can place your bet in a betting shop, online or over the phone if you open an account.

THERE is no minimum stake in shops but bookies generally impose one online and for phone bets.

YOU can back a horse to win or each way. For an each way bet, your stake is doubled because there are two parts to the bet: half on the horse to win, the other half on it to be placed. Placed horses return winnings at a quarter or a fifth of the odds, depending on the bookmaker. Most bookies pay out on the first six home in the National. Check before you bet.

WATCH out for offers, especially for new accounts.

YOU can take the odds on a horse when you bet or accept the starting price (SP). Prices can be worse closer to the off.

WHY not spread your risk with small bets on a few runners?