Five of Britain’s leading bookmakers have revealed their biggest liabilities for Cheltenham Festival.
Elixir De Nutz – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Skybet)
SkyBet will have welcomed the news that Elixir De Nutz has been withdrawn from the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, as that would have been their worst winner of the week. The gutsy Grade 1 Tolworth winner was a 10/1 shot for the first race of the festival and could have started the bookmaker off firmly on the wrong foot had he made it to the race.
Apple’s Jade – Champion Hurdle (Betway)
Gordon Elliott’s star could be the one to cause an opening day bloodbath for Betway. Winning the Irish Champion Hurdle by an astonishing 16 lengths, Apple’s Jade is now 2/1 favourite in her showdown with two-time winner Buveur D’Air in the Champion Hurdle.
Paisley Park – Stayers’ Hurdle (William Hill)
Seen by plenty as the bet of the festival, Emma Lavelle’s gelding had started out at 33/1 for the Stayers’ Hurdle when markets opened. Backed at some hefty prices and now the 7/4 favourite for that race, William Hill could be set to lose out on an eye-watering sum if he were to romp home.
Rockpoint – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Ladbrokes)
Certainly more of an under-the-radar threat, Ladbrokes have revealed Albert Bartlett outsider Rockpoint as their biggest liability. At 33/1, Colin Tizzard’s six-year-old could end up filling the pockets of punters at a huge price and leaving this bookmaker in a sorry state on the final day.
Presenting Percy – Gold Cup (Unibet)
Finally, this year’s Gold Cup favourite has been confirmed as another threatening to slam the bookies, this time for Unibet. Sitting at the top of the market for months, the most backed runner in the festival highlight would spell trouble for bookies.
