Simon Nott’s Aintree Experience: High Stakes, Big Wins, and Tough Losses
I set off from the Shire bright and early, the kind of morning where the sky is clear, the roads are open, and the world feels like it’s yours for the taking. With a couple of great podcasts lined up and a healthy dose of 1960s rock n roll as my soundtrack, the drive to Aintree was a pleasure. When I arrived, the atmosphere was already buzzing, and I ran into fellow El Bufalo syndicate member Richard Walsh—finally putting a face to the name after so many WhatsApp exchanges.
The betting ring was alive with action. The Star Sports team, Lofty and Nick, were already hard at work, laying bets and managing the ebb and flow of the money. Business was steady but not electric—at least not until some serious money started moving. Early on, £5000 was laid at 25/1 on The Kalooki Kid, but punters were still testing the waters. Then, a significant bet came in: £4000 – £2000 on Jango Baie, despite the punter’s moment of hesitation about whether it was a Mullins-trained horse. Betting was heating up.
As the day progressed, the stakes got higher. In the Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle, there was a wave of big-money bets, including £10,000 at 11/8 on Putyourhandstogether. When Murcia stormed home as the 11/4 second favorite, the book copped a cool £15,000—proper job!
Then came the Brooklands Golden Miller Chronograph Bowl Chase. A punter staked £9000 – £4000 on Grey Dawning, setting the scene for another intense race. At the off, the book was holding £6500 in win money, with the jolly losing £11,000 if things didn’t go their way. Grey Dawning looked like he had it, but Gaelic Warrior swept past him late on, turning the tide once again. The book pocketed £6000 on that race.
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The feature race, the William Hill Aintree Hurdle, was where things really took off. Constitution Hill saw some serious money, with punters dropping £10,000, £5500, and £7500 on him. But then, a jaw-dropping £30,000 bet came in for Lossiemouth at 5/4. As the race unfolded, Constitution Hill fell, and Lossiemouth claimed victory, resulting in a devastating £27,000 loss for the book. Lofty summed it up with, “Back to square one,” while I could only manage a “bugger.”
The roller coaster continued through the Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase, where a mix of £8000 – £2000 each-way and £8000 – £500 bets came in. The book won £7000 here, but it was just a drop in the ocean compared to the previous race’s loss.
Then came the Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase. A punter went heavy on My Mate Mozzie with multiple bets totaling over £20,000. It was a rare occasion where the book got the better end, pocketing £8000 and heading into the final race £14,000 up.
The last race of the day, the Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race, was the ultimate decider. Seo Linn was heavily backed, including a £6400 bet at 2/1. At the off, the jolly was losing £22,000 in the win book. And then, just like that, Seo Linn stormed home. The book took a massive £22,000 hit, wiping out all the hard-earned gains of the day.
At the end of this topsy-turvy day, we walked away with a net loss of over £20,000. It was a brutal finish, but as they say, that’s the game. Lofty’s booking the table for dinner tonight—let’s hope there’s an Ivy in Knotty Ash. Tomorrow is another day, and we’ll be back, ready to do it all again.
Thanks to everyone who stopped to chat today, and a special shout-out to Lofty, who demolished an entire pack of Haribos—his dentist sends his regards!
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