National result a poor one for books Don't Push It and Tony McCoy wiped the smile off the bookmakers' faces as the public's faith in the Champion Jockey was answered at last with a breathtaking first Grand National success costing the industry an estimated £10 million. The inspired gamble saw McCoy's mount halve in price from an opening 20/1 with Sky Bet in the morning and his mount was eventually sent off a 10/1 joint favourite when the tapes rose. The Jonjo O'Neill-trained winner galloped away from the Elbow to win by five lengths from Black Apalachi and State of Play with Big Fella Thanks - the other market leader - in fourth. Matt Doyle of Sky Bet said: 'It was a very poor result for us as once the momentum got behind McCoy we were praying it would end in defeat just like his previous 14 attempts in the National.' 'It wasn't to be for us and we salute the Champion Jockey through gritted teeth as he had been dogged by such bad luck in the race with Clan Royal cruising when carried out in 2005 second time round.' Don't Push It's victory also gave owner JP McManus and Jonjo O'Neill a first success in the Aintree showpiece for which the ten-year-old is a 20/1 chance with Sky Bet to land back-to-back victories in 2011. David Williams of Ladbrokes said: "McCoy's victory has cost us millions. We've feared this day for fifteen years and our worst nightmares have just been realised. Punters never lost faith in the champ. "What a difference a year makes. Twelve months ago we were on the champagne and now we're reduced to bread and water. We'll be paying the punters out for months to come. It's the worst result for us in ages and all we can do is grit our teeth and salute the champ." Bookmakers William Hill estimate that around 10% of all Grand National bets wagered accompanied McCoy around the 30 National fences. David Hood, spokesman for Britain's biggest bookies William Hill, said: ''It is a black-armband day for the betting industry. Time, and time, again, McCoy heaps misery on the bookmakers, and this time he has done it on the biggest stage. The payouts will continue long into the night.'' William Hill have installed McCoy as a 10/1 chance for BBC's Sports personality of the year - and 7/2 for a top three finish in the sporting honours. Hills also make Don't Push It the 16/1 favourite for a repeat victory in the 2011 John Smith's Grand National. 'Punters have landed one of the biggest gambles in Grand National history,' said totesport spokesman George Primarolo. 'Tony McCoy has taken us to the cleaners.' Anyone who backed the winner with totepool will have had even more reason to celebrate as Don't Push It returned £15.70 to a £1 stake - almost five points more than the returned SP. There was also a huge toteexacta dividend with Don't Push It to beat Black Apalachi paying a whopping £544.50 - over £400 more than the straight forecast. The totetrifecta also smashed the tricast return for the first three home, paying £10,724.50 compared to £2324.36. Coral have taken the decision to refund day-of-race stakes on King John's Castle following his refusal to race at the start. "The Grand National is a unique event with millions of people having their only bets of the year, and under the circumstances it seems fair and reasonable to give backers of King John's Castle their money back", said Simon Clare, Coral Spokesman. "It's been a dreadful Grand National for bookmakers so giving punters back a bit more cash won't make a huge difference", added Clare. Don't Push It's victory has been a dreadful result for us, but we're delighted for AP McCoy'said bet365 spokesman Pat Cooney. 'We make Don't Push It a 20/1 chance to win it again next year, with Denman our 14/1 Ante Post Favourite'.
