 It's a National disaster for the unlucky punter |
One gambler has lost his �25,000 stake on the Grand National more than a month before the race is even run. The punter took odds of 20-1 on Irish horse Davids Lad for next month's race at Aintree.
He would have landed one of the biggest ever ante-post bets if successful, making a profit of �500,000.
But connections have failed to overturn a 42-day racing ban, and the horse appears certain to miss the race.
The ban arose after a prep race at Naas where Irish stewards found the racecourse had been used as a training ground and the rider, Timmy Murphy, had made insufficient effort.
Davids Lad's suspension runs out on 7 April - just two days after the National.
And under ante-post betting rules, that means the gambler will lose all his money.
 It's the owners as much as myself I feel sorry for |
The huge bet was placed in December 2002.
Bookmakers Ladbrokes immediately cut the odds on the eight-year-old, trained in Ireland by Tony Martin, winning the race to 16-1.
But now the bookies are counting their winnings.
"All ante-post bets on Davids Lad, and other people have backed him as well, are void unless we hear otherwise," said a Ladbrokes spokesman.
"As with any ante-post bet months in advance, that is the risk you take."
Bookmakers sometimes offer special no-runner, no-bet promotions, but these are normally in the days immediately before a big race.
Davids Lad is owned by a four-strong syndicate - Nicky Butterly, who lives in Spain, Trim publican Matty Lynch (Martin's brother-in-law), Templemore pub owner Eddie Moran and his brother Jimmy who owns a garage in Mullingar.
There is one glimmer of hope for the out-of-pocket punter - connections of Davids Lad may now take their appeal to the High Court.
MMIX
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