The Grand National has long been the most bet-upon sporting event in the UK calendar… and the race looks set to test new highs in 2025.
It has been reported that a whopping £250 million will be wagered over the course of the three-day Aintree Festival, with between £150 million and £200 million of that spent on the Grand National alone.
Both seasoned and casual punters alike will be placing their bets on the four mile, two furlong steeplechase; with many opting for horses trained by Willie Mullins, who followed his remarkable form at the Cheltenham Festival with a Grade 1 four-timer at Aintree on Thursday.
Indeed, there’s three Irish horses in particular that the bookies are fearing the most – a win for any of them would cost them millions.
Irish Eyes are Smiling
The last seven winners of the Grand National were all Irish bred, while five of those were trained by a handler from Ireland.
| Year | Winner | Trainer |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | I Am Maximus | Willie Mullins (IRE) |
| 2023 | Corach Rambler | Lucinda Russell (SCO) |
| 2022 | Noble Yeats | Emmet Mullins (IRE) |
| 2021 | Minella Times | Henry de Bromhead (IRE) |
| 2019 | Tiger Roll | Gordon Elliott (IRE) |
| 2018 | Tiger Roll | Gordon Elliott (IRE) |
| 2017 | One For Arthur | Lucinda Russell (SCO) |
So, there’s an expectation that those from the Emerald Isle will dominate the renewal once more – and if any of the fancied Irish trio prevail, it will spell disaster for the bookies.
I Am Maximus won the 2024 Grand National for Willie Mullins, who ended a 19-year wait for a win in the Aintree showpiece. Given that victory, and the Mullins effect, the nine-year-old will be well backed by casual punters in particular – who no doubt won’t be aware that he’ll be carrying 6lb more than last year, with a pretty poor season under his belt.
And, of course, no Grand National winner has carried 11-12 since Red Rum produced a hall-of-fame performance to win the 1974 edition while carrying a full 12st.
Form shown at the Cheltenham Festival tends to attract the eye when plotting Grand National bets, so there’s no surprise that Stumptown is another that will be well backed in the lead up to the steeplechase.
The eight-year-old won the gruelling Cross Country Chase at the festival with plenty in hand, which extended his winning streak to four races. Carrying just 11-2, which is 8lb lower than at Cheltenham, the horse trained by Gold Cup winner Gavin Cromwell will be expected to go well once more.
And punters generally love a good story when backing their Grand National picks. That’s certainly the case with Hewick, the King George VI Chase and U.S. Grand National winner that cost owner Shark Hanlon just £850 and is famous for his Guinness drinking exploits.
Speaking on behalf of William Hill, Lee Phelps, commented:
“This year’s Grand National looks one of the most open for a long time.
“I Am Maximus is 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.”
Fantastic Four
Willie Mullins has his disciples in the betting market, and they have been well treated over recent years.
And the Irish whizz was at it again on day one of the Aintree Festival, winning all four of the Grade 1 renewals on the card.
Anyone backing that quartet of winners would have landed a handsome 128/1 payday.
Lossiemouth was one of the day’s big winners, with the hardy mare showing her class to prevail in the Aintree Hurdle – with bookies favourite Constitution Hill falling once again, as he did at the Cheltenham Festival.
Impaire Et Passe had edged out the market protagonist Jango Baie in the Manifesto Novices’ Chase, before Murcia – who was backed into second favourite from an overnight price of 12/1 – dominated the Boodles Juvenile Hurdle to win by six lengths from Live Conti and seven from bookies’ favourite Putyourhandstogether.
Completing the quartet was Gaelic Warrior, who stayed on strongly to chase down the 9/4 favourite, Grey Dawning.
Mullins had done it again: winning the day’s four big races and downing a quartet of favourites in the process – something which, understandably, the bookies were delighted with.
Sam Boswell, a spokesperson for BetVictor, said:
“Willie Mullins winners are rarely a happy sight for us bookmakers, but today proved the opposite as he got most of our biggest liabilities beat.
“On a day that saw really good turnover, with lots of recreational bets placed, it was also one to remember for Ireland’s leading trainer.”
Just how well will Mullins’ horses be backed for the Grand National?