Bookies braced for biggest week of the year as punters look for Grand National revenge.
After a largely successful Cheltenham Festival last month, Britain’s bookmakers are preparing for the biggest week of the year, which climaxes in the Grand National next Saturday. Up to £200 million will be wagered on the Aintree showpiece, making it by far the single biggest betting event of the year, and with a full programme of Premier League football and golf’s first Major of the year, the Masters, also taking place, next weekend will see punters seek to gain revenge for Cheltenham in a £500 million betting spree.
“Last month’s Cheltenham Festival was surprisingly good for bookmakers, bucking the trend of recent years, but all that would be forgotten if a well-backed favourite was victorious in next Saturday’s Grand National,” said Coral’s David Stevens.
“More money is bet on the National than any other event – up to £200 million – and it remains the one occasion when the nation enjoys a flutter, which is great for us if the result goes our way, but clearly we would pay the price for a popular winner. With the Masters also taking place, next weekend will be a bumper one, and at the end of it we’ll know if we’ve kept our Cheltenham profits or not,” added Stevens.
Vieux Lion Rouge is currently Coral’s 10/1 favourite for the Grand National, with Blaklion, Definitely Red and Cause Of Causes hot on his coattails.
