More than half a billion pounds is expected to be wagered on this year's Grand National
The British public are gearing up for the biggest betting weekend of the year according to
Ladbrokes.
The industry is predicted to take half a billion pounds worth of bets as punters take a plunge on the Grand National and The Masters alongside a full football fixture list.
And should the estimated 600 million Grand National viewers worldwide witness a win for either AP McCoy or Ruby Walsh in the Aintree showcase then it will be the punters who will be left cheering after the race.
Alex Donohue of Ladbrokes said: "If AP or Ruby ride the winner on Saturday we'll take a multi-million pound hit. They are by far and away the most popular jockeys riding today and the memory of Don't Push It's win last year will be fresh in many punters' minds."
Ladbrokes will take over 3,500 bets a minute at peak times from mobile, online and telephone channels with 20,000 bets struck per minute across the entire retail estate at 4.10.
Latest Ladbrokes betting:
The Grand National
4m 4f, Aintree, April 2011
8 The Midnight Club, 12 Backstage, 12 Don’t Push It, 12 Oscar Time, 12 What A Friend, 14 Ballabriggs, 14 Big Fella Thanks, 14 Silver By Nature, 16 Niche Market, 16 Junior, 16 Quinz, 20 Bluesea Cracker, 20 Arbor Supreme, 25 State Of Play, 25 Hello Bud, 25 Majestic Concorde, 25 Becauseicouldntsee, 25 Character Building, 33 Merigo, 33 West End Rocker, 33 Calgary Bay, 33 Northern Alliance, 33 Skippers Brig, 40 Chief Dan George, 40 The Tother One, 40 Ballyfitz, 40 Comply Or Die, 40 Giles Cross, 40 Tidal Bay, 50 bar (1/4 odds 1,2,3,4)
