Racing: Bookies romp home to big win at Aintree
Bindaree, at 20-1, yesterday won a nail-bitingly close Grand National that saw Britain engage in what bookmakers believe is the largest single day of gambling in history.
Nearly £120m was staked on the race at Aintree, Liverpool, by 15 million gamblers, most of them once-a-year punters. This figure – equivalent to £2 for every man, woman and child in the country – comfortably passes last year's record of £90m and is double the stake of three years ago.
In October the Chancellor replaced the 9 per cent betting tax with a levy on bookmakers' profits, and the industry has seen turnover leap by a third. If money wagered on the Lottery and football pools on a typical Saturday is added, then optimistic Britons bet nearly £200m yesterday.
Spectators were rewarded with one of the closest finishes in the race's 155-year history, in spite of a protest outside by 150 demonstrators. Two horses were reported to have died after falling.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies