Record number of grey horses in the Grand National as terrified bookies brace for millions to back them

A RECORD seven grey horses will run in this year's Grand National.

The biggest race of the year gets underway at .

It is expected to be a huge day for the bookies – made even bigger by the number of grey horses taking part.

Grey steeds are often popular amongst the public and this could be the year punters get a winner.

Only three greys have ever won the famous contest – The Lamb in 1868, Nicolaus Silver in 1961, and most recently, Neptune Collonges in 2012.

But on Saturday there are high hopes for Intense Raffles, priced amongst the favourites at 9-1, as well as Vanillier (10-1), Kandoo Kid (16-1), and Hyland (20-1).

Outsiders Coko Beach (66-1), Duffle Coat (66-1) and Fil D’Or (80-1) are also bidding to create an upset.

Bookmaker go 5-2 that one of the seven is victorious, 12-1 that there is a grey horse one-two, and 40-1 greys fill the first three places.

Coral’s David Stevens said: “Five is the previous highest number of grey horses running in the , but that was when there were 40 or more runners, so the seven lining up among the 34 runners this year sets a new record.”;

Coral expect up to £150 million to be staked on the National this year, making it six times bigger than the second highest turnover horserace of the year, the Gold Cup, while the race will be watched by the biggest TV audience of the year.

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Stevens added: “With a third of the adult population expected to place a flutter on the big race, and greys always popular with people, we’re bracing ourselves for a flurry of bets on the seven.

“And with four of them among the favourites for the race, a victory for any one of them will make this a grey day for sure for the bookies.”;

It has been confirmed to race more than four miles and 16 fences.

The winner will receive £1million in prize money.