Grand National 2019 betting: Punters set to splash over £300m on world’s most famous race

Here are the key numbers to know ahead of this year's Grand National

The Grand National is the greatest steeplechase in the world and viewed by millions of people across the globe. Saturday sees the 172nd running of the four-and-a-quarter-mile marathon.

There is no other horse race quite like it and, as usual, this weekend promises to be incredibly busy for the bookies.

The Grand National is unique in that it affords punters the opportunity to pick a winner at a massive price – and there’s likely to be a record-breaking amount of money wagered this weekend.

In fact, bookies are confident predicting that a staggering £300m is expected to be bet on the Grand National alone.

Here are some other key numbers from this year’s National, and download and print your free Grand National 2019 sweepstake kit:

1839 - The first running of the race, won appropriately by Lottery.

30 - Fences to be jumped, including such household names as Becher's, the Chair and Valentines.

66 - The biggest ever field for the great race, won by Gregalach in 1929.

10 - The fewest runners in 1883, when Zoedone won and seven got round.

2 - The smallest number to finish when Tipperary Tim crossed the line a distance ahead of Billy Barton, after 42 had gone to post.

23 - The most to complete the course in 1984, when Hallo Dandy won and Canford Ginger was last.

45 - Years since Red Rum was the last horse to complete back-to-victories, a feat 2018 hero Tiger Roll seeks to emulate on Saturday.

Red Rum winning the Grand National in 1977 (Getty)

3 - Grey horses to have been immortalised by winning this unique contest - The Lamb (1868 and 1871), Nicolaus Silver (1961) and Neptune Collonges (2012) . There are several this year with a good chance, including Lake View Lad, Vintage Clouds and Ramses De Teillee.

1960 - The first year the great race was televised on BBC, when Merryman II landed the spoils.

13 - Mares have been successful, the last being Nickel Coin in 1951.

15 - The age of Peter Simple, the oldest horse ever to win the race in 1853.

5 - The youngest age group to be successful, of which Lutteur III in 1909 was the latest of five. The minimum age is now seven.

45 - Nine-year-olds have won the race, the highest number of any age group.

561,000 - The amount in pounds sterling to be won by the winner.

155,000 - The crowds expected through the gates at Aintree over the next three days.

Click here to download your Grand National 2019 sweepstake!