Millions of people around the world who seldom give a thought to horses will make an exception on Saturday for Britain’s most popular race, the Grand National steeplechase. For many, it will be the only time they bet on a horse race all year.
Unfortunately for them, the Grand National is the hardest race in the world to predict.
Last year’s winner, Noble Yeats, was 50-1, and he was hardly out of the ordinary as a long-shot champion. Since 2000, there have been nine winners who were 25-1 or more, including a 100-1 shot, Mon Mome, in 2009.