Millions tune in for Grand National (From Mid Devon Star)

Millions tune in for Grand National

2:54am Saturday 14th April 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

Millions of viewers worldwide are expected to follow the 165th John Smith's Grand National.

Forty runners and riders will compete in the world's most famous steeplechase at Aintree.

An estimated 600 million racing fans across the globe will be watching the race, which is scheduled to start at 4.15.

It will be the last time the legendary contest is broadcast in the UK by the BBC before moving to Channel 4 for the next four years.

The race will be worth £975,000 in prize money, making it one of the richest jump races in Europe.

This year it will contribute to a special sports day for Merseyside as it coincides with an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Everton at Wembley.

Bookies are anticipating a £1 billion bumper weekend from punters on the Grand National and the big football games.

William Hill spokeswoman Kate Miller said: "The Grand National is one of the most eagerly anticipated sporting events of the year. It's a race that stops the nation with half the adult population placing a bet. Turnover for us, William Hill, will be around £30 million on the big race and across the industry, across Europe and with two massive football games this weekend it could be a billion pound weekend."

But Synchronised, the big favourite, could give British bookmakers their worst Grand National result ever according to betting shop Coral. Expected to start as the shortest-priced favourite since 1975, Synchronised could become only the second horse ever to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National in the same season.

Last year's winner, Ballabriggs, will be seeking to become the first back-to-back winner since Grand National legend Red Rum.