The Randox Grand National is the biggest betting race of the year when many households will take a financial interest in the world famous race
Bookmakers are bracing themselves for an avalanche of bets from once-a-year punters when the £1 million Randox Grand National takes place on Saturday.
The world famous Aintree race is the biggest betting race of the year when households from all over the country join regular punters in taking a financial interest in the outcome of the 4m2f race, which is being shown live by ITV. For Britain’s 6,000 betting shops it is the single biggest turnover day of the year and an equally busy occasion for online betting platforms.
On the course there have been occasional shocks with three huge priced winners this century, headed by 100-1 Mon Mome, who triumphed in 2009, Auroras Encore won at 66-1 in 2013 and Noble Yeats was a 50-1 chance when he scored in 2022.
Yet in the same period six winners have been clear or joint favourites, the latest I Am Maximus who went off 7-1 joint favourite 12 months ago.
With another open betting contest this year, bookmaker William Hill is expecting total turnover to hit £150m across the industry in the UK and Ireland this year, with the official Grand National betting partner anticipating around £250m staked across the three days at Aintree.
The Willie Mullins-trained I Am Maximus is the runner that Hills fear the most as the race approaches after he was cut to 8-1 from 11-1 on Wednesday to become favourite from Iroko and Stumptown, who are both priced at 9-1.
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William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps said: “This year’s Grand National looks one of the most open for a long time, with I Am Maximus now heading the betting for the 34-runner race at 8-1, and he’s the third different favourite we’ve had in as many days.
“Given the open nature and big odds available across the field this year, we’re expecting plenty of betting interest up and down the country and could see total turnover on the race north of £150m.
“It’s a huge week at Aintree, where total betting turnover for the three days could comfortably hit a quarter of a billion.”