2 minutes This development comes as last year's winner Corach Rambler sees a noticeable drift in the betting markets.
As the anticipation builds towards the 2024 Grand National, the tides of favouritism appear to be shifting among the punters, with a new potential favourite emerging in the form of Willie Mullins' Meetingofthewaters. This development comes as last year's winner Corach Rambler sees a noticeable drift in the betting markets.
Willie Mullins, celebrated for his notable success at The Cheltenham Festival, is gearing up for a significant presence at Aintree this Saturday, with eight of his horses poised for the challenge.
JP McManus' Meetingofthewaters
Among Mullins' trained horses is the standout Meetingofthewaters, a horse under the ownership of JP McManus.
McManus, who acquired the seven-year-old before its commendable performance in the Ultima Chase at Prestbury Park, has a knack for identifying champions, with the race previously heralding the successes of Noble Yeats (2022) and last year's victor, Corach Rambler (2023).
However, Lucinda Russell's Corach Rambler, the reigning champion, seems to be losing traction among bettors, a stark contrast to the rising support for Meetingofthewaters and his stablemates, I Am Maximus and Mr Incredible.
Insights from William Hill
According to Lee Phelps, a spokesperson for William Hill, the momentum behind Meetingofthewaters is undeniable, stating:
"The money started coming in for Meetingofthewaters last week and it has not stopped. 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 become the favourite by Saturday race time."
Bookies are not just shortening the prive Meetingofthewaters alone; I Am Maximus is another name gathering steam among Betfred customers, with odds shortening to 7-1 from 12-1 after a commanding victory over Vanillier, last year's runner-up, at Fairyhouse on February 24.
| Meetingofthewaters: Lifetime Record | Runs | Wins | 2nds | 3rds | Winnings | Earnings | Official Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | £105,438 | £120,497 | 149 |
| Hurdle | 10 | 1 | 0 | 4 | £5,702 | £10,282 | 112 |
| NHF | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | £4,958 | £5,752 | — |
| PTP | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — |
| 18 | 4 | 0 | 7 | £116,098 | £136,531 | — |
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