A GRAND NATIONAL punter landed a life-changing sum from an ‘incredible’ £8 bet – as devastated bookies begged them to reveal how they did it.
The punter somehow picked the first three finishers in the world’s most famous race.
Nick Rockett wins the Grand National – leading home a 1-2-3 for Willie Mullins with I Am Maximus and Grangeclare West second and third respectively[/caption]
Nick Rockett sparked tears from trainer Willie Mullins after he won at 33-1 under Willie’s son Patrick for owner Stewart Andrew, whose wife Sadie passed away from cancer five days after the horse made his debut.
Defending champ I Am Maximus was second at 7-1 while Mullins’ other horse Grangeclare West was third at 33-1.
Not even Mullins himself would have thought he would land an amazing 1-2-3 in the 34-runner 4m2f contest.
But one Ladbrokes punter had an inkling – and duly staked an £8 combination tricast.
Their bet, which totalled £48 in all, covered each of the trio’s six possible first-second-third finishing combinations.
Only one of the £8 lines had to land to secure the jackpot.
And with fourth-placed Iroko a further three lengths back of third Grangeclare West, it meant the punter could roar all three of his selections home up the famous run-in.
All in all, their winning £8 line secured a massive £61,320.32 payout.
Heartbroken bookies even put a plea out asking how the punter managed to predict the finish.
Cal Gildart of Ladbrokes said: “And you thought Willie Mullins was the biggest winner at Aintree!
“It might have looked like a favourable renewal for the bookies, but this year’s Grand National has seen punters land some incredible wins, and this one tops the lot.
“This customer obviously likes the reigning champion trainer, but we’d love to know what they saw in two of his less well-regarded chasers.”
This was one of several massive winners to sting the bookies.
Ladbrokes were hit for £29,000 when a £1 each-way bet landed – while another £12 combination tricast saw a £15,000 payout.
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