Bookies can’t get out of Cheltenham fast enough
Don Cossack’s victory in the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup condemned the bookmakers to their worst Festival week in living memory.
Having already accepted defeat after three torrid days at the hands of a host of successful favourites and well-backed winners, Don Cossack delivered the final knock-out blow.
Don Cossack was the third favourite in the four biggest races of the week to collect after Annie Power (in the Champion Hurdle) and Thistlecrack (Stayers’ Hurdle) while Sprinter Sacre attracted plenty of public support as he regained his crown in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Ladbrokes estimate the UK and Irish bookmaking industry is likely to have lost upwards of £60million at the Festival.
“We can’t get out of Cheltenham fast enough,” said David Williams, of Ladbrokes.
“Bookies are being carried out on stretchers whilst punters are hiring cranes to help them take the cash away.
“It’s been the most expensive week here that we can remember.”
