BOOKIES have seen a ‘surge of cash’ for a stunning grey Grand National horse – as punters put their faith in Gavin Cromwell.
The Irish handler is riding the crest of a wave following his awesome Gold Cup win with Inothewayurthinkin.
Racing’s newest superstar was slashed into 3-1 for the Aintree feature on the back of his Cheltenham Festival triumph.
But Cromwell and owner JP McManus have pulled the seven-year-old from the race – one of 11 horses to be ruled out on Tuesday.
That hasn’t stopped punters searching for some early value from steaming into one of Cromwell’s other intended runners though.
And the experts at Oddschecker report a ‘surge of bets’ for one gallant grey in particular.
Vanillier’s odds have been slashed to 12-1 from 20s.
The ten-year-old was second in the Grand National in 2023 and finished a well-beaten 14th last year.
But adding blinkers has rejuvenated him and he finished third in the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham despite almost taking the wrong course.
Before that he was an impressive 18-length winner of another Cross Country race at Punchestown.
Grand National odds
Here’s how they shape up for the big race on April 5.
6-1 Intense Raffles
7 Iroko
8 I Am Maximus
10 Stumptown
12 Vanillier
14 Perceval Legallois
16 Nick Rockett
20 Kandoo Kid, Meetingofthewaters
25 Hewick, Hyland
28 Grangeclare West
33 Minella Cocooner, Monty’s Star, Three Card Brag, Yeah Man
40 Beauport, Bravemansgame, Broadway Boy, Monbeg Genius, Mr Vango
50 bar
As things stand, Vanillier, who will carry 10st6lbs vs top weight I Am Maximus on 11st12lb, is the 34th and final horse in the race.
That means, currently, he is carrying the lowest weight.
But with another confirmation stage coming on March 31, expect some more big names to drop out.
Oddschecker’s Leon Blackman: “The Cheltenham Festival form of Gavin Cromwell’s runners has clearly sparked a surge of bets for his horses in the Grand National.
“With Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin now withdrawn, bettors have quickly shifted their attention to stablemate Vanillier.
“This surge of cash has seen Vanillier’s share of the total bets placed on Oddschecker more than double since Tuesday, prompting bookmakers to shorten his odds dramatically from 20-1 to 12-1.
“After finishing second in 2023, punters clearly believe he can go one better this year.”
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