Maths genius who won £14m for horse racing fans picks 66/1 outsider to win Grand National
A nags-to-riches maths genius who has used his university education to win £14million for Brit racing fans reckons he is onto another long shot jackpot - after picking out a 66-1 outsider to win the Grand National.
Richard Brocklebank, 56, uses his number wizardry to place complex combinations of bets which produce the maximum return for minimum risk. His formula has produced an astonishing series of whopping wins for his syndicate of followers - including four of over £1m.
Richard's biggest success was in 2009 when Russian Trigger's Midlands Grand National victory at Uttoxeter netted him a £3.1m accumulator. His book about his bookie-bashing antics - £3 Million In 3 Weeks: The Squirrel Syndicate – A Gambler’s Tale - is a best-seller and set to be turned into a telly streaming smash.
Richard, who graduated from Nottingham uni with a degree in physics, snubbed a conventional career after his first ever bet as a schoolboy Well To Do won the 1972 Grand National at 14-1. He has gone on to back nine other National-winning long shots - including Mon Mome who romped home in 2009 at 100-1 and 2013 champ Aurora's Encore (66-1).
Now he has sent punters' hearts fluttering by singling out 66-1 shot Eva's Oskar in Saturday's big race. The dad-of-two from Hyde, Cheshire, said: "I would certainly never put anyone off backing a long in the Grand National.
"This year I spotted a long shot at 100-1 when the weights came out but was unsure if the horse would get in due to the maximum field size of 40. However it is now in the top 40 remaining and is available at a still tasty price of 66-1."
But canny Richard urged punters not to pile their cash on the each-way shot now - and instead wait until the last minute to maximise any return if it finishes in the frame.
"I've learned the ante-post markets are not what they used to be so saving your bets until the morning of the big day is often worthwhile," he said. "Extra places for each-way punters become available.
"As a rule the bookmakers push out some of the long shots' odds and they also introduce extra places. Most betting shops are currently paying five places but online you can get six. I will not be surprised if seven or eight places become available as the bookies compete with each other on the day of the big race.
"Backing on the day also takes out one of the big ante-post issues which is guessing what the going will be like as some horses run well on soft ground while others will want good ground. I've spent a life studying this kind of thing and it makes a huge difference to your chances of coming out on top.''
Last year's winner Noble Yeats has been heavily backed to win the race again. But Richard reckons the 15lb in extra weight he will have to carry as his reigning champ handicap will be too heavy a burden.
"That extra lead in the saddle will make it tough to repeat," he said. However he does also fancy the chances of 16-1 shot Coko Beach. "It was eighth last year after losing a left hind shoe and could go several places better barring any further issues with his hooves," he added.
"Everyone loves Aintree as a great sporting spectacle. But you love it a little bit more if you win."
One professional gambler, whose win record led to him being banned by some bookies, said: "No-one knows his stuff like Richard. It's not just his knowledge of horses that make him successful but the way he calculates the odds and hones his bets to produce the maximum possible return. He's to betting what Red Rum is to racing."
