Bookmakers braced for £200m betting bonanza

PADDY POWeR are predicting that more than £200million will be bet at the Cheltenham Festival. It is the biggest punting week of the season for the betting industry, and Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: ‘Cheltenham remains the daddy of the Festivals. We expect around £200m to be wagered between the UK and Ireland over the four days. ‘We have a great Gold Cup line-up. Most of the Irish can’t see Galopin Des Champs being beaten, while in the British corner is Bravemansgame for champion trainer Paul Nicholls who says he is the best he’s had for some time. ‘This is a week which requires many different attributes from bookies and punters. While we always go into it fearful, we’ll come out fighting.

‘If the first day or two don’t go our way, we’ll try not to panic as it’s a real gruelling stamina test like the famous Cheltenham hill itself.’