A punter lost £50,000 after staking the five-figure sum on a horse race.

The man walked into a Watford branch of William Hill today (Thursday) and bet the cash sum on 5/4 favourite Denman in the 15.05 Bowl Chase at Aintree.

The race took place two days before the track hosts the Grand National on Saturday.

But the favourite was well beaten, finishing fifth behind winner Nacarat and leaving one gambler out of pocket.

Had Denman won, a £50,000 bet would have returned £112,500.