Banker bucks bookies’ trends
The Irish ace has been the successful rider on all three market leaders to collect and gave backers hope ahead of the fourth and final day of the festival.
“Punters needed a saviour and Ruby rode to the rescue on Big Buck’s,” said totesport spokesman George Primarolo.
“The stage is now set for one of the most anticipated Gold Cups in recent times and with Ruby on board, Kauto Star could well be one of the best-backed horses in festival history.”
Despite Big Buck’s, the bookmakers still hold the upper hand after three days as winners continued to prove elusive.
Cheltenham remained a bookies’ benefit with triumphs for Copper Bleu (12-1), Buena Vista (16-1), Albertas Run (14-1), Great Endeavour (18-1) and even Ballabriggs (9-1) giving them the edge again.
“Only three favourites have won so far this week, and Ruby Walsh has ridden them all, and his hat-trick has given punters something to cheer during a week when winners have been hard to find,” said Coral spokesman David Stevens.
“The meeting needed a champion performance, and Big Buck’s provided it, and after the earlier defeats for Dunguib and Master Minded this week, punters still have some ammunition to take the bookies on with on Gold Cup day.
“Kauto Star, ridden by that man Ruby, will be the name on thousands of betting slips across the country, and if they win a third Gold Cup, the smiles could still be wiped off bookies’ faces.”
Ladbrokes remain confident of another good day on Friday following a successful meeting to date.
Their spokeswoman Hayley O’Connor said: “We’ve pushed the two titans out for the Gold Cup. Perhaps with the week’s results we can afford to be brave and we expect this will be a major attraction for punters.”
