Bookies are facing a £50million mauling as wonder horse Tiger Roll is set to become the hottest Grand National favourite in more than 80 years.
Punters have been plunging on the winner of last year’s race since a sparkling performance at the Cheltenham Festival earlier this month.
Bookies fear a win so much that they have cut the price to as little as 3-1 for Saturday’s big race at Aintree. Grand National favourites usually start the 40-runner handicap race at around three times the price.
Victory would make the nine-year-old the first to win two in a row since Red Rum in 1974. Even his jockey has described the short odds on offer as “madness”.
The second favourite is Anibale Fly, who trails behind at 10-1.
Industry experts believe odds on the Michael O’Leary-owned runner will tumble again – and he’ll be the hottest favourite since Golden Miller, who started the race at 2-1 in 1935.
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Gambling analyst Alex Donohue believes a win would see bookies suffer their biggest loss yet.
He said: “Tiger Roll could become the most popular Grand National favourite of all time, eclipsing the legendary Red Rum.
“The public love a Grand National story and the talk of him emulating the most famous horse of all time is more than enough to whip punters into a betting frenzy.
“Along with his credentials, this makes him the dream runner for both hardcore fans and novices. If Michael O’Leary’s horse retains his title, the industry payout could run to over £50million, making it the most expensive National result for bookies of all time.”
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The biggest favourite to win the Grand National was Poethlyn, ridden by Ernest Piggott – grandad of the legendary Lester – at 11-4 in 1919. Golden Miller unseated rider Gerry Wilson.
Tiger Roll’s last outing was at Cheltenham when he won the Cross Country Chase by 22 lengths. Jockey Davy Russell steered him home last year and will be on board again at the weekend.
He said: “It makes no difference to me what price he is but I think it’s madness. My job is to go out there and ride him.”
Rupert Adams, of William Hill, said: “The feeling is, if Tiger Roll gets round the course, he’ll win. His price might shorten again as bookmakers attempt to attract punters to one of the other 39 horses.
“If Tiger Roll does the double, it could be our worst day in history.”
