STAKING £10,000 on a horse in tomorrow's Grand National might seem like the actions of a wealthy professional punter -- but it won't cost Paul Oracz a penny!

The Hoghton antique dealer won a national newspaper competition to stake the bet on a horse in the world famous race at Aintree.

Paul, who has the odd flutter on the big races, has spent the last few days poring over the form books to come up with his selection and has narrowed it down to a couple of fancies.

"I'm treating it as though it's my own money. It is a lot of cash to bet on a horse so you have to take it seriously.

"I'm going to go each way rather than just to win so if it finishes second third or fourth I'll still win something," said 44-year-old Paul of Gregson Lane, Hoghton, who will have to tell the paper later today what his final selection is.

With the odds for the favourite currently standing at 8-1 Paul would stand to win at least £50,000 if the horse he plumps for wins.

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