Punters defeated bookmakers in this yearâs Randox Grand National with the victorious I Am Maximus widely reported as the worst possible winner of the race for layers.
With the well-fancied Iroko and Johnnywho also finishing in the first four, William Hill predicted they would be facing a âpayout north of ÂŁ10 millionâ on the result of this yearâs Grand National.
Confidence was high with the betting public that I Am Maximus could emulate Red Rum by recapturing the Grand National, with him being forced into 9-2 favourite at the off having been briefly usurped in the market earlier in the day by Panic Attack.
The public belief was well placed, as I Am Maximus scored by two and a half lengths, leading Betfred founder Fred Done to declare: âItâs been a gladiatorial bloodbath for us bookies.â
The result contrasted sharply with last yearâs winner, Nick Rockett, according to Sky Bet, whose spokesman Michael Shinners said: âAfter last yearâs 33-1 winner, this year has certainly gone the way of the punters. I Am Maximus was very well backed throughout the day.
âWe paid seven places and the popular Final Orders finishing seventh was also a good result for a number of our customers.â
The success of I Am Maximus combined with the placed efforts of Iroko, Jordans and Johnnywho, has left William Hill facing âa historically high payout on the Grand Nationalâ.
Spokesman Lee Phelps said: âWeâve been stung heavily. I Am Maximus winning was one of our worst-case scenarios, and with well-fancied horses in the places, weâre facing a payout of north of ÂŁ10 million in the race. We're licking our wounds and this is a payout we're going to remember for a long time.â
Ladbrokes said they would be describing this year as a âpuntersâ Grand Nationalâ, and head of PR Nicola McGeady said: âHats off to the punters who stayed loyal to I Am Maximus; there was a massive wave of support for him all week. It was a result we didnât want.â
And despite I Am Maximus being âthe worst result in our bookâ, Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said the horseâs victory was beneficial to the sport and that excitement would be high should he attempt to emulate Red Rum in next yearâs race.
âI Am Maximus provided empirical evidence that heâs now a Grand National legend,â Binfield said. âIt was a bruising result â punters have had it right off, getting involved in what was a mammoth public gamble.
âWhile weâve taken a battering, the publicity for the sport will be invaluable as, hopefully, heâll be back at Aintree next year in a bid to emulate the great Red Rum with a record third victory in the worldâs most famous steeplechase.â
Read more . . .
Grand National: I Am Maximus joins Aintree greats as he regains title and lands huge gamble
'We'll come back and win it next year' - Iroko camp confident it will be third time lucky in Grand National in 2027
'I had such a smooth run round, it was just magical' - Ben Jones revels in Grand National third on Jordans
With the well-fancied Iroko and Johnnywho also finishing in the first four, William Hill predicted they would be facing a âpayout north of ÂŁ10 millionâ on the result of this yearâs Grand National.
Confidence was high with the betting public that I Am Maximus could emulate Red Rum by recapturing the Grand National, with him being forced into 9-2 favourite at the off having been briefly usurped in the market earlier in the day by Panic Attack.
The public belief was well placed, as I Am Maximus scored by two and a half lengths, leading Betfred founder Fred Done to declare: âItâs been a gladiatorial bloodbath for us bookies.â
The result contrasted sharply with last yearâs winner, Nick Rockett, according to Sky Bet, whose spokesman Michael Shinners said: âAfter last yearâs 33-1 winner, this year has certainly gone the way of the punters. I Am Maximus was very well backed throughout the day.
âWe paid seven places and the popular Final Orders finishing seventh was also a good result for a number of our customers.â
The success of I Am Maximus combined with the placed efforts of Iroko, Jordans and Johnnywho, has left William Hill facing âa historically high payout on the Grand Nationalâ.
Spokesman Lee Phelps said: âWeâve been stung heavily. I Am Maximus winning was one of our worst-case scenarios, and with well-fancied horses in the places, weâre facing a payout of north of ÂŁ10 million in the race. We're licking our wounds and this is a payout we're going to remember for a long time.â
Ladbrokes said they would be describing this year as a âpuntersâ Grand Nationalâ, and head of PR Nicola McGeady said: âHats off to the punters who stayed loyal to I Am Maximus; there was a massive wave of support for him all week. It was a result we didnât want.â
And despite I Am Maximus being âthe worst result in our bookâ, Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said the horseâs victory was beneficial to the sport and that excitement would be high should he attempt to emulate Red Rum in next yearâs race.
âI Am Maximus provided empirical evidence that heâs now a Grand National legend,â Binfield said. âIt was a bruising result â punters have had it right off, getting involved in what was a mammoth public gamble.
âWhile weâve taken a battering, the publicity for the sport will be invaluable as, hopefully, heâll be back at Aintree next year in a bid to emulate the great Red Rum with a record third victory in the worldâs most famous steeplechase.â
Read more . . .
Grand National: I Am Maximus joins Aintree greats as he regains title and lands huge gamble
'We'll come back and win it next year' - Iroko camp confident it will be third time lucky in Grand National in 2027
'I had such a smooth run round, it was just magical' - Ben Jones revels in Grand National third on Jordans
