A nationwide gamble on Synchronised will give British bookmakers their worst ever Grand National result if the red hot favourite wins the big race, according to Coral.
Coral expect Synchronised to attract three times as many bets as any other horse in the 40-runner race as he is ridden by the most popular jockey in Britain, Tony McCoy, won the Cheltenham Gold Cup last time out, is trained by a hugely popular Grand National-winning trainer, Jonjo O’Neill, and is the No 1 horse on the racecard.
“Everything points to Synchronised being one of the best backed horses in Grand National history and if Tony McCoy brings him home in front, bookmakers will face a record breaking multi-million pound payout on the race,” said Simon Clare, Coral spokesman.
“Half of the adult population will place a bet on the Grand National and while most once-a-year punters will back several horses in the race, we expect Synchronised to feature on the majority of their slips. He may even start shorter than 5/1, which would make him the shortest-priced favourite since 1975.
“The colour will drain out of every bookmaker’s face, followed by all the money in their satchels, if Synchronised wins the Grand National.”
The worst Grand National result for bookmakers was Hedgehunter’s win in 2005 under Ruby Walsh as the 7/1 favourite cost the layers over £20 million.
With nearly half of all Grand National bets placed by women, Coral also expect heavy nationwide support for the two horses ridden by female jockeys - Organisedconfusion ridden by Nina Carberry and Seabass ridden by Katie Walsh – and the Stratford-based firm are offering a special price of 10/1 that either lady rider makes history by becoming the first female to ride a Grand National winner.
“It’s surely only a matter of time before the Grand National is won by a female jockey and a victory for either Nina Carberry or Katie Walsh will give bookmakers a serious bloody nose,” concluded Clare.
John Smith’s Grand National (Coral bet): 7-1 Synchronised, 12-1 Ballabriggs, Giles Cross, Junior, On His Own, West End Rocker, 14-1 Chicago Grey, Treacle, 16-1 Cappa Bleu, Shakalakaboomboom, Sunnyhillboy, 20-1 Becauseicouldntsee, Killyglen, Organisedconfusion, Seabass, 25-1 According To Pete, 28-1 Always Right, Calgary Bay, 33-1 Planet Of Sound, The Midnight Club, 40-1 Black Apalachi, Mon Mome, Neptune Collonges, Quiscover Fontaine, Rare Bob, State Of Play, 50-1 Alfa Beat, Weird Al, 66-1 Arbor Supreme, Deep Purple, Hello Bud, Vic Venturi, 80-1 Tatenen, 100-1 In Compliance, Midnight Haze, Swing Bill,Viking Blond, 150-1 Neptune Equester, Postmaster, Tharawaat.
10/1 either female jockey to win the 2012 Grand National
