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Grand National betting expected to exceed £150m for first time Grand National betting expected to exceed £150m for first time
(6 months later)
Bookmakers estimate that betting on the Grand National could top £150m for the first time in the history of the race.Bookmakers estimate that betting on the Grand National could top £150m for the first time in the history of the race.
Millions of punters were expected to wager more cash than usual as Saturday's race at Aintree is the only major sporting event of the weekend. The Grand National usually coincides with the US Masters and FA Cup semi-finals.Millions of punters were expected to wager more cash than usual as Saturday's race at Aintree is the only major sporting event of the weekend. The Grand National usually coincides with the US Masters and FA Cup semi-finals.
A capacity crowd of more than 70,000 in Liverpool will be joined in watching the 166th race by an estimated 600 million television viewers worldwide. Forty runners and riders will compete in the world's most famous steeplechase.A capacity crowd of more than 70,000 in Liverpool will be joined in watching the 166th race by an estimated 600 million television viewers worldwide. Forty runners and riders will compete in the world's most famous steeplechase.
Coral spokesman Simon Clare said: "The Grand National is one of Britain's most popular sporting occasions, with two-thirds of the adult population likely to place a bet.Coral spokesman Simon Clare said: "The Grand National is one of Britain's most popular sporting occasions, with two-thirds of the adult population likely to place a bet.
"Despite concerns raised over the safety and welfare of horses in the race, the Grand National is as popular and ever, and while the racing authorities have rightly taken action to ensure the race is as fair and safe as possible for horse and rider, betting turnover … is expected to top £150m for the first time."Despite concerns raised over the safety and welfare of horses in the race, the Grand National is as popular and ever, and while the racing authorities have rightly taken action to ensure the race is as fair and safe as possible for horse and rider, betting turnover … is expected to top £150m for the first time.
"Seabass is expected to be the best-backed horse in the race, as the so-called housewives' choice, given the huge media spotlight on his rider Katie Walsh, who is bidding to be the first lady rider to win the Grand National.""Seabass is expected to be the best-backed horse in the race, as the so-called housewives' choice, given the huge media spotlight on his rider Katie Walsh, who is bidding to be the first lady rider to win the Grand National."
Clare said it was hard for bookmakers not to make a profit from the race. "On the whole, even the worst result will be a level book. It's almost the one event in the year when you actually create a proper book, where there isn't a loser," he said.Clare said it was hard for bookmakers not to make a profit from the race. "On the whole, even the worst result will be a level book. It's almost the one event in the year when you actually create a proper book, where there isn't a loser," he said.
"But you almost expect to make a certain amount. We might hope to make £3m, let's say. When it goes well, when Mon Mome won [a 100-1 shock result in 2009], we won £6m clear profit. When Don't Push It won [under Tony McCoy the following year], we made next to nothing."But you almost expect to make a certain amount. We might hope to make £3m, let's say. When it goes well, when Mon Mome won [a 100-1 shock result in 2009], we won £6m clear profit. When Don't Push It won [under Tony McCoy the following year], we made next to nothing.
"The Grand National is our Christmas and if you don't make much money out of it, you're behind the eight-ball for the rest of the year.""The Grand National is our Christmas and if you don't make much money out of it, you're behind the eight-ball for the rest of the year."
Many of those betting on the National do not place bets on any other sporting event. As a result many bets are not made in betting shops. Kate Miller of William Hill said of the bets placed on Friday: "The most striking early sign is probably mobile phone betting, which has been absolutely huge."Many of those betting on the National do not place bets on any other sporting event. As a result many bets are not made in betting shops. Kate Miller of William Hill said of the bets placed on Friday: "The most striking early sign is probably mobile phone betting, which has been absolutely huge."
Four hours before the race, Miller said her firm was taking 1,500 mobile bets per minute. She estimated that a quarter of Britain's adult population would bet on the race, judging from William Hill's figures and extrapolating across the industry.Four hours before the race, Miller said her firm was taking 1,500 mobile bets per minute. She estimated that a quarter of Britain's adult population would bet on the race, judging from William Hill's figures and extrapolating across the industry.
"So people can talk about a decline in people supporting the race and welfare issues but a quarter of the adult population is pretty massive," she said."So people can talk about a decline in people supporting the race and welfare issues but a quarter of the adult population is pretty massive," she said.
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