Bookies and punters neck and neck
Honours were shared, according to Coral, totesport had the bookmakers narrowly ahead, while Blue Square felt the punters had the better of the opening exchanges.
There were victories on both sides with favourites Wichita Lineman and Quevega justifying market support, while Punjabi’s 22-1 victory in the Champion Hurdle was the main one welcomed by bookmakers.
There was no doubt the well-backed Quevega completed the backers’ recovery with an easy win in the closing David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle.
Earlier defeats for hot favourite Binocular in the Champion Hurdle and Cousin Vinny in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle hit punters hard, but a vintage ride from Tony McCoy on Wichita Lineman made the layers suffer in the William Hill Trophy.
“We’re all square after day one, with defeats for Binocular and Cousin Vinny hard for punters, who struck back with Wichita Lineman and Quevega,” said Coral’s David Stevens.
However, totesport spokesman George Primarolo remarked: “The bookies may have just edged ahead but there’s all to play for as the punters and bookies head into the second day of the Festival.
“We were breathing a huge sigh of relief when Binocular got beaten as that was make-or-break time for us.”
Ladbrokes were also relieved breathed a huge sigh of relief when Punjabi turned over Binocular.
“Punjabi rode to our rescue. Jockey Barry Geraghty is our knight in shining armour on day one of the Festival. Had Binocular won we might not have bothered turning up for the second day,” said Ladbrokes’ David Williams.
Blue Square had the punters slightly ahead thanks to Quevega’s convincing victory in the finale.
“Getting Cousin Vinny and Binocular beaten improved what could have been a disastrous day for us,” Blue Square spokesman Alan Alger.
“The best race for us was obviously the Champion Hurdle with a big-priced winner and some kind places.
“The cross-country was level-pegging but the backers sneaked ahead as Quevega, took the spoils.
“The punters are one-up after the first leg of four.”
