FANS’ ROYAL FLUSH!

Bookies face losing a King’s ransom

PATRIOTIC punters will slap millions of pounds on horses with royal connections in the biggest Cheltenham Festival betting bonanza in history.

Bookies reckon a stonking £300million – or £35,000 a second – will be splashed out over the four days.

Betting firms reckon the record figure is partly down to Prince Harry’s May wedding to Suits babe Meghan Markle and the imminent arrival of brother William’s third baby.

And nags with names including All Kings and Reigning Supreme could be about to cost them millions if they come up trumps during the four days of racing.

Punter Sarah Mhlanga is one of those who has already placed a string of bets on the festival, which gets under way tomorrow.

Meghan Markle lookalike Sarah, 34, said: “I’ve done them all a tenner each way and it’s my first proper punt and it’s all based on the nice Royal names. I am hoping for a bit of beginners luck.

“On the second day I’ve gone for Special Tiara at 16-1 in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

“On the Thursday it had to be Unowhatimean-harry at 14-1 in the Stayers Hurdle and my Gold Cup bet on the Friday was Our Duke at 8-1.”

Bookies William Hill say the bets are being laid by clued-up housewives who are looking for a flutter.

The firm’s spokesman Rupert Adams said: “The multiples on horses with royal related names could land punters a fortune equivalent to the crown jewels.

“If some of the regal multiples return winners it could be a real king’s ransom.

“If the Royal horses romp home that could see us take a massive hit with a good turnover going back through the doors.

“There are lots of ladies and housewives who have cottoned on to it and we are getting them online, on their mobiles and even in shops.”

Weather forecasters, however, have put a dampener on things with fears that the festival could be a wash-out as rain and heavy cloud are predicted for tomorrow and Wednesday.