Betting records set to fall at Aintree

Apr 5 2008 by Ben Schofield, Liverpool Daily Post

Ben Schofield looks at the National gamble

TODAY’S Grand National at Aintree could spark the UK’s first £500m betting weekend, bookmakers predicted last night.

Gambling on the world’s greatest steeplechase is expected to top £300m today.

And a further £200m could be punted on the two FA Cup semi-finals, the Arsenal-Liverpool premiership clash and Lewis Hamilton’s drive in the Bahrain Grand prix.

The prediction comes after Tote’s trackside terminals at Aintree saw another surge in takings yesterday.

A total of £1.75m rang through the tills during Ladies’ Day at the John Smith’s Grand National meeting.

Tote’s turnover was 7.2% up on 2007’s day two figure and course officials say they remain confident of smashing the £2m threshold today.

But bookmakers fear runaway favourite Cloudy Lane could prompt one of the biggest payouts in racing history, costing them more than £25m.

It would be their worst day since Frankie Dettori rode seven winners in one day at Ascot 12 years ago.

Cloudy Lane, who is trained by Red Rum trainer Ginger McCain’s son Donald at their Cheshire stables, could run as the best backed favourite in National history.

One in five of all bets placed are expected to be on Cloudy Lane.

Last night his odds were 11-2, still longer than record holder Red Rum’s 7-2 price in 1975.

Damian Walker, Tote spokesman, said: “ “The McCain name will prove as popular as ever this year and Cloudy Lane looks sure to be backed.

“He has been punted at all the prices from 25-1 and the whole betting industry has racked up big liabilities over this horse. But ultimately the once-a-year punters and housewives will decide his starting price.”

Coral’s Simon Clare agreed that it is the McCain heritage driving the betting.

He said: “Ginger also won the race four years ago with Amberleigh House, and Cloudy Lane has already been backed to 11-2 to give the family a fifth National success.”

Red Rum is the National’s most successful horse, having won in 1973, 1974 and 1977.

Away from the equine entertainment at Aintree, yesterday’s Ladies’ Day crowd topped 53,100 racegoers.

Although the total was more than 200 up on last year’s turnstile tally, it did not surpass the course record of 53,860 set in 2005.

But Ladies’ Day did deliver style in droves.

Dresses in a rainbow of colours flooded the course.

Fuchsia pink and azure blue were popular choices, as were classic black and white combinations.

More than 2,000 budding fashionistas entered the Aintree Style 2008 competition in the hope of being judged best-dressed racegoer and scooping a £35,000 prize pot.

Judges including Sheree Murphy – wife of Liverpool FC’s Harry Kewell – selected their top five who were given VIP passes for today’s racing.

One of them will be awarded the top prize by England footballer Wayne Rooney’s fiancée Coleen McLoughlintoday.

Merseyside trend-setter Coleen, 22, arrived in a strappy tight yellow and blue floral dress by Balenciaga with matching Christian Louboutin peep-toe shoes, all from Cricket.

She said: “I wasn’t going to wear this but with the weather I thought I would go a bit short.

“I have come today with all my mates and my mum.

“The advice I’d give to the girls in the competition is be yourself and be confident. Everyone looks great. Everyone has made such an effort from top to toe.”

Sheree Murphy, who was wearing a black bubble-sleeved Parisienne-style satin and chiffon dress from Couture Couture under a thick white coat by Chloe, both from Cricket, said: “Everyone makes such a wonderful effort – everyone looks special. And it's not just women, it's men too. Last year it was a man.

“I think it's the people who have made such an effort – it's so hard to judge this competition.”

Earlier on yesterday, jockeys visited Alder Hey Children’s Hospital’s cancer unit.

Alder Hey’s Imagine appeal is again the meeting’s official charity.

Nigel Pollard, a spokesperson for John Smith’s brand owner Scottish & Newcastle, said: “In a year when the focus will be on the culture and heritage of Liverpool, it is important to remember the amazing work that Alder Hey does to care for and treat its young patients.

Two horses were put down trackside yesterday after falling badly during the John Smith’s Topham Chase.

Time To Sell fell at the third fence, while In The High Grass was a casualty at the eighth.

Police reported a quiet day yesterday with one arrest outside the course for a drugs-related offence.

GRAND NATIONAL SPECIAL: SEE 8-PAGE SUPPLEMENT

benschofield