Grand National

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STAR SPECIALS

FFF SPECIALS

Star Sports have released betting on which horse will finish last in the Grand National, and make them all 33/1! Jamie Loughead, Star Sports spokesman, comments: “The Grand National is the most famous race in the world because it’s steeped in history, it’s the most testing challenge of a thoroughbred and it’s an absolute lottery! It’s hard enough to pick a winner, so we wish our punters the best of luck picking the last horse to complete the race.”

He added “We’re sure that there is a bit of value in backing some of the outsiders to finish last at 33/1, but will they even get round?”

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TV VIEWING FIGURES

Star Sports have released betting on the UK viewing figures for this year’s Grand National, and make the biggest race in the world odds-on at 1/5 to increase on last year. This year’s race starts at 17.15 BST, an hour later than its traditional 16.15 start, with a view to increasing audience numbers. Worldwide TV audiences are expected to be over 600m.

Jamie Loughead, Star Sports spokesman, comments: “The Grand National is the most-watched race in the world, and Channel 4 has done a fantastic job with its coverage. But with a later start time, football and rugby fans now have the chance to race to the pub in time for the race too. So we are strong odds-on at 1/10 that UK audiences will be higher than last year’s 8.9m, and a massive 6/1 that they go down ”

He added “we’ll be on our prestigious Aintree pitch laying bets for the whole festival and we’re expecting record crowds. We laid plenty of six-figure bets at Cheltenham and took a real beating. Our fingers are crossed for better luck in Liverpool!”

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NICHOLLS v MULLINS

Star Sports have released betting on who will have the highest placed Grand National finisher, as the Trainers Championship fight between Mullins and Nicholls draws to a climatic end. The firm make Paul Nicholls the 4/11 favourite to claim bragging rights at Aintree, and Willie Mullins the outsider at 2/1.

Luke Tarr, Star Sports Head of PR, comments: “Nicholls is certainly the favourite to have the highest place finisher, and Silvianaco Conti could even go off at single figure price for the yard. You certainly never rule Mullins out though, and have seen a lot of interest in his leading hope Boston Bob. ”

He added “We admire the achievement of both trainers but hope NEITHER of them actually win the Grand National this year. Not because we don’t respect them, but because we want to see the Trainers Championship to go right down to the wire! Willie is currently ahead but the prize money for the Grand National is so significant it would hand either of them an unassailable lead. Let’s hope neither wins and we’ve got another three weeks of fantastic nail-biting racing!”