£250m to be staked at Grand National festival as I Am Maximus tops betting

The year’s most popular horse race, the Grand National, is expected to attract £150m in betting turnover in the UK and Ireland this year, with official Grand National betting partner William Hill anticipating the betting industry to see around £250m staked across the three days at Aintree.

Last year’s winner, I Am Maximus, is the runner that Hills are fearing the most as the race approaches, with William Hill spokesperson, Lee Phelps, reporting “a big gamble” on the horse this morning and cutting the 2024 winner to 8/1 from 11/1.

I Am Maximus now stands as the favourite for the race at 8/1, followed by Iroko and Stumptown, who are both priced at 9/1.

Phelps said: “This year’s Grand National looks one of the most open for a long time, with I Am Maximus now heading the betting for the 34-runner race at 8/1, and he’s the third different favourite we’ve had in as many days.

“Given the open nature and big odds available across the field this year, we’re expecting plenty of betting interest up and down the country and could see total turnover on the race north of £150m. It’s a huge week at Aintree, where total betting turnover for the three days could comfortably hit a quarter of a billion.”

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