Bookies Braced For Festival Bonanza

Bookmakers are gearing up for what promises to be the best ever Cheltenham Festival in terms of betting turnover, with Coral predicting an industry-wide figure of £600 million in bets over the four days.

'All 24 races are compelling betting events, with a host of short-priced favourites for punters to get stuck in to and bookies to take on,' said spokesman Simon Clare.

'All previous turnover records are going to be smashed. But it's not the money bet that counts, it's the money paid out!'

My Way De Solzen was the significant market mover after Alan King confirmed him for the Arkle, with Coral clipping him to 3-1 from 7-2. As a result, the Barking-based firm eased Fair Along to 11-4 from 5-2.

King said: 'He goes for the Arkle. I walked the ground and in my opinion it's still soft and heavy in places so that's where he goes and we'll see what happens.'

(C) PA Sport