£50M BLOODBATH
Bookies fear a bashing
THE start of the Cheltenham Festival today could be one of the biggest bookie bloodbaths in history.
Terrific Tuesday could see punters taking them for more than £50million.
Today looks “dangerous” for bookmakers with four of the hot favourites of the meeting all running.
Punters have flocked behind Getabird, Footpad, Buveur D’Air and Apple’s Jade – dubbed the “four horses of the apocalypse” – in a nightmare scenario for bookies.
If all four come in as expected, the industry is bracing itself for a monstrous payout in what will be just the start of the busiest betting week of the year.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “We’ve had our fair share of disastrous Tuesdays and this year it could be the biggest one yet with Getabird, Footpad, Buveur D’Air, and Apple’s Jade looking really solid. We will be desperate for one of them to do us a favour.
“Last year was a good one for the bookies but it could all change today.”
Ladbrokes alone fear a hit in excess of £20m if the four favourites win.
Another £30m could be lost at rival bookies.
The current odds for the four are 11-8 Getabird, 5-4 Footpad, 4-9 Buveur D’Air and 8-13 Apple’s Jade – a combined price of over 11-1.
William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams said: “We will be happy to get through day one unscathed.
“If the four bankers win it could be our worst day since the millennium.”
William Hill expect to take £50m over the four days and predict an industry turnover of about £250m. Ladbrokes predict £300m will be gambled this week.
Ant and Dec are expected to be there on Thursday to watch their horse Augusta Kate, who is currently a 20-1 shot in the Stayers’ Hurdle race.