The ten-year-old was among the most backed horses at the entire Festival with 43% of all bets in the race.
Bookmakers have recouped some of their losses so far at Cheltenham Festival, with seismic favourite Un De Sceaux getting beat in the Ryanair Chase.
A whopping 43% of bets in the last 24 hours were placed on Un De Sceaux to win at odds between 11/10 and 8/11, with the ten-year-old among, if not the, most popular bet of the Festival.
The Willie Mullins-trained beast failed to keep up with eventual winner Balko Des Flos, before getting well beaten.
Owned by Edward O’Connell, Un De Sceaux followed up his impressive victory at Ascot with a second place finish on the third day of the Festival.
It’s not been a Festival to remember for bookies, with numerous favourites going first past the post and consequently emptying the heavy pockets of the bookies.
However, this is a resounding victory for traders, with millions of pounds staked on the heavy favourite.
Oddschecker spokesperson George Elek said: “This was respite for bookies as Balko Des Flos defeated odds-on favourite Un De Sceaux to scupper accumulators across the country.
“With Laurina a heavy favourite in the 4.50, the bookies will be delighted that the popular double has been foiled.
“Bookies almost took another hit in a Festival to forget on the trading floor, following victories for the well-backed Samcro, Footpad and Altior.
“Willie Mullins’ hope would really have been the cherry on top of the cake for punters, but it was not to be.”
