A RECORD seven grey horses will run in this year’s Grand National.
The biggest race of the year gets underway at Aintree at 4pm.
AlamySeven grey horses will run in the Grand National[/caption]
PAIntense Ruffles is amongst the favourites to win the biggest race of the year[/caption]
It is expected to be a huge day for the bookies – made even bigger by the number of grey horses taking part.
Grey steeds are often popular amongst the public and this could be the year punters get a winner.
Only three greys have ever won the famous contest – The Lamb in 1868, Nicolaus Silver in 1961, and most recently, Neptune Collonges in 2012.
But on Saturday there are high hopes for Intense Raffles, priced amongst the favourites at 9-1, as well as Vanillier (10-1), Kandoo Kid (16-1), and Hyland (20-1).
Outsiders Coko Beach (66-1), Duffle Coat (66-1) and Fil D’Or (80-1) are also bidding to create an upset.
Bookmaker Coral go 5-2 that one of the seven is victorious, 12-1 that there is a grey horse one-two, and 40-1 greys fill the first three places.
Coral’s David Stevens said: “Five is the previous highest number of grey horses running in the Grand National, but that was when there were 40 or more runners, so the seven lining up among the 34 runners this year sets a new record.”
Coral expect up to £150 million to be staked on the National this year, making it six times bigger than the second highest turnover horserace of the year, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, while the race will be watched by the biggest TV audience of the year.
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Stevens added: “With a third of the adult population expected to place a flutter on the big race, and greys always popular with people, we’re bracing ourselves for a flurry of bets on the seven.
“And with four of them among the favourites for the race, a victory for any one of them will make this a grey day for sure for the bookies.”
Grand National winners since 2000
RED RUM is the most famous Grand National winner of all time.
He is the first and only horse to win the famous race three times.
He triumphed in 1973, 1975 and 1977.
Here’s the winners list from the 21st Century:
2023 – Corach Rambler ridden by Derek Fox
2022 – Noble Yeats ridden by Mr Sam Waley-Cohen
2021 – Minella Times ridden by Rachael Blackmore
2020 – cancelled due to Covid pandemic
2019 – Tiger Roll ridden by Davy Russell
2018 – Tiger Roll ridden by Davy Russell
2017 – One For Arthur ridden by Derek Fox
2016 – Rule The World ridden by David Mullins
2015 – Many Clouds ridden by Leighton Aspell
2014 – Pineau De Re ridden by Leighton Aspell
2013 – Auroras Encore ridden by Ryan Mania
2012 – Neptune Collonges ridden by Daryl Jacob
2011 – Ballabriggs ridden by Jason Maguire
2010 – Don’t Push It ridden by Tony McCoy
2009 – Mon Mome ridden by Liam Treadwell
2008 – Comply or Die ridden by Timmy Murphy
2007 – Silver Birch ridden by Robbie Power
2006 – Numbersixvalverde ridden by Niall Madden
2005 – Hedgehunter ridden by Ruby Walsh
2004 – Amberleigh House ridden by Graham Lee
2003 – Monty’s Pass ridden by Barry Geraghty
2002 – Bindaree ridden by Jim Culloty
2001 – Red Marauder ridden by Richard Guest
2000 – Papillon ridden by Ruby Walsh
It has been confirmed 34 horses will take to the field to race more than four miles and 16 fences.
The winner will receive £1million in prize money.
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