SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
It appears that bookmakers will be counting the cost of One For Arthur’s Grand National win this Saturday, as Scotland gains its first Aintree champion stud since Rubistic in 1979.
Updating the media, William Hill detailed that it had taken circa £25 million in Grand National bets, however the company will likely be paying out to Scottish punters who cashed in on 14-1 priced One For Arthur.
UK bookmakers were hoping for a strong Grand National, to follow up on a highly successful Cheltenham Festival this March, deemed to be ‘the best Cheltenham ever’ by numerous industry stakeholders.
However, Lucinda Russell-trained One For Arthur broke bookmakers scripts, as the heavily backed horse won the Aintree showpiece.
Adding further damage to bookie balances will be the ‘Top 5’ finishes of race favourite Blaklion and popular runners Cause of Causes and Saint Are, with a number of bookmakers paying-out on the first five finishers.
Speaking to the BBC Paul Petrie, McBookie.com spokesman, said: “It was a bad day for Scottish bookmakers but a great day for punters and more importantly for Scottish racing.
“It has been a long time since we have celebrated a Scottish winner and although it has cost us a fortune, we couldn’t be more happy for Lucinda Russell.”
