With hours to go until this year's Grand National, a brave punter has placed a £100,000 bet on the world’s greatest steeplechase.
Willie Mullins, who is one of the most successful racehorse trainers in history, is seeking a third-consecutive victory at Aintree after Nick Rockett beat 2024 winner I Am Maximus in last season’s renewal.
This year, I Am Maximus is among the bookies’ favourites to reclaim the crown and is trading at around 8/1.
In fact, after the horse's chances improved on Thursday morning with news that Rockett had been ruled out of this year's race due to coughing, many have backed the 10-year-old bay gelding to win the National.
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One such punter has placed a six-figure sum on the horse, with the bet being broadcast on ITV ahead of Saturday's race.
ITV presenter Brian Gleeson was on hand to show viewers the "whopping" slip, which was also handled by on-course bookmaker Johnny Dineen, who claimed it was "the biggest bet we've ever laid by a mile".
"Oh my god," said Gleeson, who couldn't believe his eyes. "One hundred thousand at 8/1. That's what you call a proper bet."
For the third successive year, jockey Paul Townend has stuck with I Am Maximus, who is bidding to become the first horse to carry top weight to victory since triple winner Red Rum in the 1970's.
Sir AP McCoy, who won the Grand National with Don’t Push It in 2010, has backed I Am Maximus for the victory.
"I actually thought I Am Maximus was a bit unlucky not to win back-to-back Grand Nationals," he told the Liverpool Echo. "I fancy him again to carry top weight and I still think he’s got a very good chance.
"I thought Iroko ran such a great race last year. He’s going to be much better off having that experience. But I’m going to stick with I Am Maximus."
McCoy added: "I think he’s a classy horse. He was unlucky not to win last year and he’s ran a couple of great ones in Ireland. He ran the big race in Leopardstown, the Gold Cup. I still think he’s a class horse and I think he can carry the weight."
Fans react to eye-watering £100,000 bet at Grand National
Naturally, fans rushed to social media after the bet was broadcast on ITV.
One said: "£100k on a Grand National horse bet. Heavy that," and another commented: "Not to brag or anything but I also have £15 each way on him."
A third wrote: "Must have more money than sense," while a fourth added: "My word."
Many have raised eyebrows about I Am Maximus' age, but the oldest ever winner of the National was Peger Simple in 1853, with the horse being first past the post aged 15.
Grand National runners in full:
1. I Am Maximus
2. Pied Piper
3. Banbridge
4. Grangeclare West
5. Gerri Colombe
6. Haiti Couleurs
7. Spillane's Tower
8. Firefox
9. Monty's Star
10. Spanish Harlem
11. Lecky Watson
12. Champ Kiely
13. Iroko
14. Favori De Champdou
15. Three Card Brag
16. Oscars Brother
17. Mr Vango
18. High Class Hero
19. Stellar Story
20. Beauport
21. Captain Cody
22. Jagwar
23. Perceval Legallois
24. Gorgeous Tom
25. The Real Whacker
26. Quai De Bourbon
27. Answer To Kayf
28. Jordans
29. Final Orders
30. Marble Sands
31. Panic Attack
32. Top Of The Bill
33. Johnnywho
34. Twig
Topics: Horse Racing, Grand National
Jack Kenmare