Bookies on top at Festival

Bookmakers were purring following day one of the Cheltenham Festival after several well-backed favourites were turned over.

Three huge-priced winners more than compensated for the victories of popular trio My Way De Solzen, Heads On the Ground and Gaspara.

The layers were in heaven after 40-1 shot Ebaziyan obliged in the opening Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, before Sublimity (16-1) shocked 6-4 favourite Detroit City in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle.

Joes Edge later popped up at 50-1, beating co-favourites Distant Thunder and Juveigneur by a whisker.

Coral spokesman David Stevens said: “We are absolutely delighted – three more days like this will make our year.

“Amaretto Rose losing in the first set a precedent for the whole day and it was beaten favourite after beaten favourite.

“Detroit City winning would have been the worst result possible for us and even favourites Heads On the Ground and Gaspara have not taken the gloss off the day.”

William Hill were also pleased and spokesman Ben Clarke reported: “The first four races were blinding results for us despite Sublimity being one of the largest ante-post gambles for a long time.

“Punters bounced back with the favourites winning the last two races but you have to say the bookmakers are ahead after the first innings.”

Stan James’ Neil Morrice said: “A number of ante-post liabilities were beaten, principally Detroit City, which served to make it a very good day.

“Turnover was slightly disappointing because of the early shocks but the punters recovered a little when the favourite went in in the last.”

Blue Square’s Kate Miller also reported a profitable afternoon, particularly in the Champion Hurdle market, although the firm had laid a decent amount on Irish Independent Arkle winner My Way de Solzen.