Bookies get a mauling

Punters 1 Bookies 0

BOOKMAKERS were left ruing the “most expensive result in Grand National history” after Tiger Roll secured back-to-back victories yesterday.

Gordon Elliott’s charge triumphed at odds of 10-1 last year, but he was a wellbacked 4-1 favourite this time around as he strolled to a two-and-threequarter-length victory in the hands of Davy Russell.

Alan Alger, spokesman for Aintree’s official betting partner Betway, believes Tiger Roll’s win is the worst-ever result for bookmakers.

He said: “The quarter-ofa-billion-pound bombshell has landed.

“Tiger Roll has gone back-to-back and inflicted the most expensive result in Grand National history.

“We’ve been well and truly wiped out.”

Ladbrokes’ Nicola Mcgeady also acknowledged a heavy defeat for the layers, although she felt 66-1 shot Magic Of Light finishing second combined with 25-1 chance Walk In The Mill in fourth helped to mitigate the blow.

She said: “Tiger Roll is the most popular Grand National winner since Red Rum.

“It’s never good for the bookies when the favourite wins – but thanks to the places, we avoided taking too heavy a beating.”

Betfred boss Fred Done admitted it had been a costly renewal of the race, although he was happy to see Tiger Roll join the list of Grand National greats.

He said: “I’ve been mauled by a Tiger, but sometimes when you witness history you just have to pay out with a smile.”

William Hill is offering odds of 8-1 about Tiger Roll becoming the first horse to register three successive wins next year.

And spokesman Rupert Adams said: “We have probably seen the greatest horse in Grand National history, and I for one will be backing him next year.”