Bookies expect Festival betting bonanza
Sunday 14 March 2010
Bookmakers predict punters will go on a betting spree at Cheltenham with £600 million forecast to be wagered in Britain this week.
William Hill expect a staggering #150m a day will be placed throughout the industry on each of the four days of the Festival, with another #1m per race staked on-course in cash.
That figure equates to around £24m per race for the 26 races, with betting reaching a £40m climax on the third 'War of the Wolds' rematch between Kauto Star and Denman in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday.
However, the layers do fear four red-hot favourites - Dunguib, Master Minded, Big Buck's and Kauto Star - who could cost them dear.
Hills estimate the betting industry would be rocked to the tune of almost £50m should the four Festival bankers oblige, with punters lining-up in each of the UK and Ireland's 10,000 betting shops to invest in the dream quartet.
'Bookies really are starting on the back foot this year,' said spokesman David Hood.
'These are four outstanding chances for punters to get their teeth into - and each one dominates a day of the Festival. We can only hope to get one or more of them beaten, but realistically they look like bankers for the punter and if all four win, it will put the bookies on their knees. Punters won't be able to carry it all home!'
Irish banker Dunguib runs in the very first race of the meeting, the Spinal Research Supreme Novices' Hurdle, on Tuesday and is a 5-6 chance.
The other three represent the formidable team of trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Ruby Walsh. Master Minded (5-6) goes for an historic third successive victory in the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase on Wednesday.
The following day it is Big Buck's (8-13) turn to put it to the bookmakers by repeating last year's win in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.
Kauto Star (8-11) would cap a glorious week for his stable and for favourite backers with a third win in the Gold Cup.
All four to win is a 17-2 chance with Hills.
