Bookies predict new Grand National favourite after ‘massive’ money ‘does not stop pouring in’ for Willie Mullins runner

BOOKIES think there could be a new Grand National favourite – after they reported a ‘torrent’ of money for a potential Willie Mullins superstar.

Defending champion Corach Rambler has long been at the head of the Aintree betting.

PA

Racing icon JP McManus, left, looks he could have bought the new Grand National favourite for Willie Mullins, right, to train[/caption]

And he still looks well in at the weights on the back of his Gold Cup third at Cheltenham Festival last month.

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But he has been noticeably easy in the market the past few days – with the relentless rain at the Merseyside track putting him at a possible disadvantage.

Instead a monumental gamble has formed on two of Mullins’ runners – but in particular Meetingofthewaters.

The seven-year-old was purchased by legendary Irish billionaire JP McManus just before Cheltenham Festival.

Previously owned by Paul Byrne – dubbed ‘the shrewdest man in racing‘ – he was an encouraging fifth in the Ultima at the Festival.

Having been available at 14-1 just five days ago he is now as short as 8-1 with William Hill for Saturday’s big race.

And they think there’s a strong change he could go off favourite if the cash continues to come in.

Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “The money started coming in for Meetingofthewaters last week and it has not stopped.

“Make no mistake, this is a massive gamble, and we’ve been forced to take more preventative action, cutting Willie Mullins’ runner to 8-1 from 10-1, having been as big as 14-1 less than a week ago.

“Most people would have expected last year’s winner Corach Rambler to go off favourite, but if this gamble continues at its current rate we think there’s a good chance Meetingofthewaters could be favourite come Saturday race-time.

“We’ve also cut the JP McManus-owned runner to 7-2 from 5-1 to go off favourite.”

Grand National odds via William Hill

9-2 Corach Rambler
7-1 I Am Maximus
8-1 Meetingofthewaters
9-1 Vanillier
12-1 Mr Incredible, Panda Boy
14-1 Kitty’s Light
16-1 Noble Yeats, Mahler Mission
20-1 Nassalam, Minella Indo, Delta Work
25-1 Bar

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