Millions of Brits are set to embark on a £1bn betting bonanza with a feast of flutters flying on football, golf and the Grand National.

Bookmakers are predicting folk will fork out record wagers on a ‘heavenly hat-trick’ of sporting showdowns set to captivate the nation this week. At least £650m is expected to go down on the hunt for winners at the three-day Aintree horse racing festival which starts on Thursday.

Tickets for Friday’s Ladies Day and the big race itself on Saturday sold out in record time - sparked by a host of new initiatives to attract new young racing revellers.

I Am Maximus wins the 2024 Grand National(Image: Getty Images)

The festival will boast its own Ibiza beach club allowing fans to dance to club anthems before settling down with cocktails on sun loungers to watch the action beamed in on giant TV screens. Top BBC Radio 1 DJ Pete Tong will perform an exclusive set after the big race.

Racing chiefs reckon at least £250m will be gambled in Britain alone on what promises to be one of the closest Nationals in its 187-year history. The 2024...