CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL: THEY’RE Irish can rein
HOT TO TROT 60,000 travel to watch Walsh as he goes for €20m triple win
THE 2018 Cheltenham Festival kicks off this afternoon with plenty of thrills and spills expected over the coming days.
Irish trainers will be hoping for another big week having recorded 19 winners last year – 10 more than the hosts.
And Ireland are odds-on to retain the Prestbury Cup with the visiting team responsible for 21 out of 28 favourites.
More than 60,000 punters from the Emerald Isle are expected through the turnstiles at the Gloustershire course over the four days.
And bookies could be set for their grimmest day in Prestbury Park history this afternoon at the hands of Irish jockey Ruby Walsh.
The 38-year-old, who has riden more winners than anyone at the festival, could hit the betting industry for €20million if he is successful on three horses.
The Rich Ricci-owned Getabird runs in the opening race, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, 40 minutes before Footpad goes in the Arkle Chase. Both are short-priced favourites to win.
But possibly the biggest roar of the meeting could come just after 3.30pm if Faugheen lands the spoils in the feature race of the day, the Champion Hurdle.
Walsh, Willie Mullins’s star rider, was off the track injured for almost two years and is aiming to regain his crown in the race he won three years ago.
Nicola Mcgeady of Ladbrokes said: “Walsh has the ability to make or break our week and shape our entire year.
“We’ve known some costly Ruby Tuesdays at Cheltenham in the past but a successful treble will be the most expensive yet.
“We are expecting Getabird and Footpad to win but Faugheen looks the weakest link in the treble and could do us a big favour.”
Walsh, who infamously saved the betting industry millions and broke punters’ hearts when he fell on Annie Power at the last hurdle in 2015, could make up for that today.
Apple’s Jade, who runs in the Mares’ Hurdle, is another Irish entry expected to be victorious this afternoon. She was successful in the race last year and is odds-on to win again. But that could be just the start for Ireland as short-priced favourites Samcro, Un De Sceaux and Laurina all take part later in the week.
Leon Blanche from Boylesports said: “Samcro runs on Wednesday, Laurina runs on Thursday.
“We got 19 winners last year but us bookmakers are running scared because it looks like we have just as strong – if not a stronger – team this year so we are bracing ourselves for a tough week ahead.”
A large amount of rain has fallen at Cheltenham in recent days and the ground looks set to be the softest this century on the opening day.
And although there is good news for racegoers, jockeys and trainers in that the weather is set to pick up in the short term with little rain forecast, wet conditions are expected again on Thursday and Friday,
Ed Fulton, trading spokesman for Sporting Index, said yesterday: “The Cheltenham Festival is finally upon us and even the rain can’t dampen our spirits – although it could provide us with some shocks.
“The ground is going to be soft, heavy in places and is likely to throw up strange results as they come chugging up the Cheltenham hill. So don’t be surprised if you see 18-length wins and 40/1 winners.”
Paddy Power has estimated this could be the biggest betting week in sporting history.
It is expecting more than €1.13billion in bets across the industry, with Irish punters wagering €452million of the total.
The first of seven races today begins at 1.30pm, with the final taking place at 5.30pm.
Amount expected to be wagered by Irish punters over 4 days