TWO-NIL TO THE BOOKIES – PUNTERS KO’d BY CHELTENHAM RESULTS!
The bookies were bounding out of Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday after just two winning favourites from thirteen races left Britain’s biggest bookies William Hill to declare it a ‘bloodbath’ for punters.
Punters had to wait until the sixth race on Tuesday and Wednesday before a fancied runner stormed up the famous hill in front, where at that point, the Cheltenham bookies had already bagged the lion’s share.
Spokesman for William Hill, David Hood, explained.’’ We can’t recall when a Cheltenham Festival started so badly for punters. It has been another stellar day for the bookmakers. Almost every Cheltenham favourite has been KO’d along with a million punters’ dreams. You cannot underestimate the devout following that the Cheltenham Festival commands – and we’re suddenly coming around to the plan for a five-day Festival!’’
However, Irish punters were given a silver lining by Hills following victories for the Irish-trained pair Big Zeb (Queen Mother Champion Chase), and Weapon’s Amnesty (RSA Chase). The bookies had vowed to bump up the ‘starting price’ of any Irish-trained winner by two market moves – to celebrate the Nation’s National Day. The Irish-trained duo both won at odds of 10-1, but thanks to Hills special – those who backed Big Zeb, and Weapon’s Amnesty were paid out at odds of 12-1.
William Hill spokesman David Hood said “Weapons Amnesty and Big Zeb were both really well backed by Irish punters, and we estimate that our St.Patrick’s Day special has cost us an extra few hundred thousand in payouts.” He continued “St Patrick’s Day is a big day of celebration in Ireland, and we hope those who backed the Irish trained horses – enjoy a few pints of Guinness on us!”
