Elliott's Tiger leaves betting industry licking its wounds

Punters put a Tiger in their tank to leave bookmakers counting the cost of another Gordon Elliott-trained Grand National winner which sparked what layers called "a multi-million pound payout".

Total Recall may have gone off 7-1 market leaders but Tiger Roll, the 10-1 winner, had been one of the best-backed horses with many bookmakers in the run-up to the race and began the the day as one of the 12-1 co-favourites.

Coral were cheering on 25-1 chance Pleasant Company as he closed relentlessly near the line, with spokesman David Stevens saying: "Tiger Roll was one of the most popular selections throughout the busiest and biggest betting day of the year, and his many backers were counting their money when he jumped the last.

"We were given hope when Pleasant Company fought back, but it wasn't to be. In one of the closest National finishes ever it was the punters who came out on top, sparking a multi-million pound payout."

Ladbrokes' spokeswoman Nicola McGeady said: “It is a result that has left the betting industry licking their wounds with a multi-million pound payout.”

Paul Binfield, for Paddy Power, said: "We’ve literally been rolled over – that was the worst result in the book by a long way. The winner showed his true stripes.”

Lawrence Lyons, spokesman for fellow Irish firm BoyleSports, said: “It was one of the most open Grand Nationals in recent history but with Irish horses filling the first four places and another in sixth it was one of our worst results in recent memory.

"Tiger Roll was by far the biggest loser in our book and with the poor places we had no respite.”

Betfred boss Fred Done said: "Punters roared home the well-fancied Tiger Roll and Davy Russell certainly earned his stripes holding off the late challenge of Pleasant Company. It was a costly National.”

Grand National result and replay

Tiger Roll was the worst result for Betway, with spokesman Alan Alger reporting: "He's cost us an absolute fortune. We laid a number of big bets just before the off, including one punter who had £4,000 each-way at 12-1 – he was well and truly the worst possible result."

Bet365 reported record turnover on the race and a losing book, and the firm's Pat Cooney said: "Tiger Roll was our biggest liability on the off, but the places were okay. It was a losing race for us."

Michael Shinners of Sky Bet added: "Tiger Roll was popular after his Cheltenham exploits and after some bookmaker-friendly Grand Nationals this was certainly one for the backers.”

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