Britain’s Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are thinking about naming their second child after the jockey Sam Waley-Cohen.
Prince William and his wife Duchess Catherine have reportedly discussed the idea of naming their unborn child Samuel or, if they have a girl, Samantha, after their close friend and jockey Sam, who was once dubbed "The Royal Matchmaker" for helping them to rekindle their romance following their split in 2007.
David Williams, who is a spokesperson for Ladbrokes, said: "With Sam Waley-Cohen’s close links to the Royals it seems punters are putting two and two together and coming up with Sam as their answer for the baby’s name."
The betting shop is said to have received a flurry of bets on the name after Waley-Cohen’s high profile win at the Aintree horse races in Merseyside last week with odds now falling from 66/1 to 20/1.
However, they are not the only bookmakers who have been forced to reduce their odds on the name.
Simon Clare from Coral told the Daily Express newspaper: "We have slashed his odds from 66/1 to 40/1.
"Given how close the Duchess of Cambridge is to Sam Waley-Cohen we are also seeing money for Sam or Samuel at 150/1 and Samantha at 200/1 to be their second baby’s name."
Duchess Catherine – who has 21-month-old son Prince George with William – is reportedly expected to give birth to their second child on April 25.
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to name second child after Sam Waley-Cohen?
