BOOKIES are gearing up for the busiest weekend of the betting year as the nation prepares to bask in sweltering heat.  The Grand National takes place at Aintree along with the Masters golf in Augusta, two FA Cup semi-finals, the Real vs Barcelona clash in Spain and a host or Premier League fixtures.

Tiger Woods Return to Action in the US Masters

Bookmakers predict record-breaking activity in their shops across the UK and Ireland.  Up to £300 million could be bet on Grand National day with the marathon horse-race taking centre-stage in Liverpool.  Turnover on The Masters Golf is already huge.

Tiger Woods started the Masters at 7/1 but as soon as his first drive went down the middle punters started piling on the World Number One. By the end of his round over 3000 bets had been placed on Tiger, twenty price changes later he is now the 5/2 stand out favourite.

“Tiger is in a world of his own and despite the time away is still the man to beat,” said Hill’s spokesman Rupert Adams.

William Hill Masters: 5/2 Tiger Woods, 6/1 Mickleson, 7/1 Westwood, 11/1 Poulter, 16/1 Kim, 16/1 Choi, 16/1 Couples, 22/1 Watney, 22/1 Schwartzel, 25/1 Els, 28/1 Yang, 40/1 Scott, 66/1 Harrington



Britain’s annual betting bonanza is just three days away as the Nation prepares for the 163^rd running of the John Smith’s Grand National.

Grand National at Aintree

Betting giants William Hill estimate a week-long £1billion betting boom as the Country winds its way out of the recession – and embraces the three-day Grand National meeting, in addition to Tiger’s return in the Masters Golf. Champions League and FA Cup semi-finals plus a full weekend of Football league, and a host of other sporting events will further add to business.

Current ante-post favourite Big Fella Thanks will have the bookies running scared with die-hard punters backing the Paul Nicholls-trained, and Ruby Walsh-ridden gelding for weeks now, with stablemate Tricky Trickster, 2009 winner Mon Mome, and ‘rags to riches’ runner Dream Alliance all preparing to hit the bookies’ satchels hard.

David Hood, spokesman for William Hill, said: ‘’This will be a week of reckoning for the bookies – with an intense amount of betting activity surrounding the Grand National, Tiger’s return, and the major football action. After last year’s incredible 100-1 winner, the bookies were in clover – but we fear a strike-back as punters search for revenge.’’



John Smith’s Grand National (NRNB): 7-1 Big Fella Thanks, 10-1 Mon Mome, 14-1 Arbor Supreme, Black Apalachi , The Package,  Tricky Trickster, 16-1 Niche Market, Snowy Morning, 20-1 Backstage, Can’t Buy Time, Character Building,  State Of Play, Vic Venturi, 25-1 Don’t Push It, Whinstone Boy, 28-1 Comply or Die, 33-1 Ballyholland, Chief Dan George, 40-1 Dream Alliance, Irish Raptor, Johns Castle, Maljimar, My Will, 50-1 Ballytrim, Cloudy Lane, Galant Nuit, Hello Bud, King Offshore Account, Palypso De Creek, 66-1 Abbeybraney, Ballyfitz, Belon Gale, Cerium, Eric´s Charm, Flintoff, Joe Lively, Madison Du Berlais, Nozic, Officier De Reserve, Over The Creek, Silver Birch, Treacle, 100-1 According To John, Beat The Boys, Chiaro, Conna Castle, Duers, Ellerslie George, Faasel, Kings Advocate, Knowhere, Lorum Leader, Made In Taipan, Merigo, Mr Pointment, Ollie Magern, Oodachee, Pablo Du Charmil, Pak Jack, Piraya, Pomme Tiepy, Preists Leap, Royal Rosa, Wee Robbie, 200-1 Offaly ALL QUOTED (EW 1/4 1,2,3,4)