Grand National Betting Trends Reveal Rise of Panic Attack and Name-Based Picks
As millions of Brits place their bets for the Grand National, Panic Attack emerges as the leading favorite, backed by nearly one in ten punters. Bookmakers fear financial impact if she ends a 75-year mare drought. While some prefer informed decisions, humor and sentimentality lead for many, like Gorgeous Tom and Johnnywho. Regional differences influence choices; Liverpool prioritizes sentimental names, while London examines odds closely. Nearly £150 million is anticipated to be wagered, highlighting the event’s national significance.
- Panic Attack emerges as a betting favourite for the Grand National, sparking excitement and potential financial losses for bookmakers
- Despite the favourites, 82% of Brits rely on sentiment or humour over form, with many choosing based on horse names
- Regional betting preferences show Liverpool embracing sentimental names, while London and Manchester prioritise odds and humor
As millions of Brits prepare to place their bets on the world’s most famous race, Panic Attack has emerged as the clear public favourite for this year’s Grand National.
Nearly one in ten punters have backed the Dan Skelton-trained ten-year-old, making her the most popular choice ahead of the big race at Aintree. Currently priced at 7/1, Panic Attack is not only attracting support because of her strong form, but because she could make history by becoming the first mare to win the Grand National in 75 years.
One spokesperson said the support behind Panic Attack has been so strong that bookmakers are already fearing the financial impact of a victory.
“She is by far the most popular pick with punters as she looks to make history,” they said. “If she manages to finally break that 75-year mare curse, it’s going to be a massive result for the public.”
While Panic Attack is leading the market in terms of public support, 2024 winner I Am Maximus is not far behind. Jagwar has also come in for support, along with last year's third Grangeclare West.
However, one of the most interesting betting trends surrounding this year’s race is that many people are not necessarily backing horses because of form or statistics.
Research suggests that 82% of Brits ignore logic when choosing their Grand National horse, with millions instead relying on funny names, sentimental reasons or gut instinct.
In fact, nearly one in three people choose their runner purely because they like the horse’s name, while only 18% say they actually study the form before placing a bet.
That helps explain why Gorgeous Tom has become one of the most popular horses in the race. As well as ranking among the top three most-backed horses overall at 20/1, the outsider has also emerged as the nation’s favourite ‘name’ bet.
Johnnywho has also proven particularly popular among punters who prefer memorable names over race form, while Monty’s Star and Oscars Brother are among the other runners attracting support for similar reasons.
One spokesperson said: “The Grand National is the one day of the year where the formbook is tossed over the Aintree fences and our imagination takes over.
“For the British public, it’s a case of what’s in the name rather than the form. This year, with horses like Johnnywho and Gorgeous Tom in the mix, there are plenty of names to keep punters happy.”
The research also revealed major regional differences in how people choose their Grand National picks.
Liverpool, the home of the race itself, has been crowned the UK’s sentimental betting capital, with 42% of people in the city saying they pick a horse based on a meaningful or memorable name.
Londoners, by contrast, are more likely to study the odds before making their choice, while Manchester punters are the most likely to be swayed by humour, with one in five admitting they always back the funniest name on the racecard.
With more than £150 million expected to be wagered on the Grand National and as many as 100,000 bets per minute predicted in the final moments before the race begins, this year’s event is once again set to capture the imagination of the nation.
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