And we’re off!
SICKIES ODDS-ON FOR TV BETTING BONANZA
BOOKIES predict legions of locked-down Brits will throw sickies to watch the Cheltenham Festival on TV this week. Though the four-day horse racing festival is behind closed doors, bookmakers reckon punters will gamble up to £500million.
And fans, even those working from home, are expected to cry off sick to focus on the action.
The 28-race extravaganza – culminating in Friday’s Gold Cup – could shatter online betting records. One bookmaker said: “I’ve got mates who are planning to throw sickies so they can watch it on telly. “They haven’t seen a horse in the flesh in a year and this is a ‘must’ for them. I guess some people will see a virus crisis as the perfect opportunity to claim they’re ill.” Alex Apati, of Ladbrokes, said: “Despite the lack of crowds the early money suggests Cheltenham Festival is going to be as popular as ever as millions tune in to watch. It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see plenty of sickies taken this week as punters settle down on the sofa to get stuck into the action.”
The no-crowd festival is a £100m disaster for the local economy.
More than 260,000 racing fans usually descend on Cheltenham splashing their cash in bars, restaurants and hotels. Last year it went ahead days before lockdown.
Adam Lillywhite, who runs the Cheltenham Townhouse hotel, said: “It is such a shame. It’s usually my first target of the year to get the hotel spick and span for that first day.”
Jake Doherty, of Bath Road Beers micropub, said: “A lot of businesses rely solely on it for any profit they make through the year.
“One bar I know takes £100,000 a night and gets through staggering volumes of Guinness.
“But it’s absolutely right it should not go ahead with crowds.”