GRAND NATIONAL FEVER TO DEFY CREDIT CRUNCH GLOOM

Leading bookmaker Coral is predicting that betting on tomorrow's Grand National will defy the credit crunch and equal last year's record breaking £300 million, with more than 15 million people expected to place a bet on the big race.

"The Grand National remains the one event that people everywhere like to have a flutter on, and we expect that to be the case this year, as punters forget about the credit crunch, for one afternoon at least," said Coral's David Stevens.

Much of the interest in this year's race is likely to focus on two horses, My Will, ridden by two-time winner Ruby Walsh, and Butler's Cabin, the mount of thirteen time champion jockey Tony McCoy, who is still seeking his first win in the National.

"My Will is sure to be popular with both professional punters and the general public, as not only is he ridden by Ruby Walsh, who gave the bookies such a hammering with his seven winners at last month's Cheltenham Festival, but with over 460,000 people in the UK called William, he will be the housewives' choice for many people," added Stevens.

"By contrast, although Tony McCoy has yet to ride a National winner in 13 attempts, he rode a record-breaking 3000th career winner earlier this year, and remains the most popular jockey riding today, and either My Will or Butler's Cabin could start favourite for the big race," said Stevens.

"A win for either My Will or Butler's Cabin will cost the bookies more than £50 million, so we'll be cheering on the other 38 runners!" said Stevens.

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