Bookmakers expected betting bonanza on Saturday’s big race

Bookmakers are predicting a record day of betting tomorrow, with over £300 million expected to be placed on the Grand National at Aintree.

Over half of the UK’s adult population will be placing a bet on the race, and with seven horses containing popular first names, casual punters will have plenty of ‘lucky’ options.

Vic Venturi, Joe Lively, My Will, Ellerslie George, Eric's Charm, King John's Castle and Ollie Magern are among the contenders for the Aintree highlight, and according to the Electoral Roll, there are over three million people called John, Joe, William, George, Eric, Victoria and Oliver living in the UK. Coral is expecting over £50 million will be bet on these horses alone.

Coral spokesman David Stevens told Bettingpro:

"Over half the adult population of Britain will place a bet tomorrow on the Grand National and research tells us that over 50% of once a year punters place their bets on horses with a name they like,"

"Everyone knows a John, Joe, George, Will, Eric, Vic or Ollie and if any of these horses win it will be a national disaster for bookies?"