BOOKIES HOPING MCCAIN DOESN’T CLOUD GRAND NATIONAL DAY BETTING BONANZA
The John Smiths Grand National is only 5 days away and bookies William Hill are bracing themselves for undoubtedly their busiest day of the year as over £350 million is expected to be gambled in just 24 hours next Saturday.
If laid out in £10 notes end to end, £350 million would stretch round the 4 miles 4 furlongs famous Aintree course more than 720 times!
William Hill are fearing a Grand National victory for hot favourite Cloudy Lane whose trainer Donald McCain is bidding to emulate his father Ginger McCain’s enviable record in the race with the infamous Red Rum and 2004 winner Amberleigh House. Cloudy Lane, the 5-1 favourite with William Hill, has been the talking horse of the betting so far and is being tipped as the winner by professionals and the public alike. It’s only Donald’s third year as a trainer since he took over the reins from ‘Ginger’ and although last years race didn’t go as planned when Idle Talk unseated his rider at the 19th fence, Cloudy Lane has an outstanding chance for him to follow in his father’s footsteps.
Hill’s spokeswoman Jennie Prest said: “Grand National day is undoubtedly our busiest day of the year and when one horse springs to the public’s attention like Cloudy Lane has we are running scared. The form buffs say he can win, the public want him to win and you cannot ignore the McCain’s record in the race. We may expect to take a lot of money on National day, but there will be no silver lining for the bookies if Cloudy Lane wins. Thirty one years on, it could be the worst Grand National result since Red Rum did the hat trick in 1977!”
As well as the big race, bookies are expecting their takings to be boosted by the two FA Cup semi-finals – both taking place on Saturday, where up to £20 million could be gambled on the crucial matches.
