Kauto Lands KO Blow To Bookies

Kauto Star´s victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup is estimated to have cost bookies in excess of ?7 million according to Ladbrokes.

Turnover on the Cheltenham Festival showpiece topped a staggering ?70 million and the layers were the only ones not cheering when the red-hot favourite landed the big race.

Sent off the 5/4 favourite, Kauto Star dealt a body blow to the bookies who had been celebrating a great Festival going into the final day.

Donal McCarthy, spokesman for Ladbrokes said: 'It was a horror result. The one horse we´d been fearing all week has dealt us a body blow.

'We´ll be counting the cost late into the night but we reckon punters have taken the best part of seven million quid out of our coffers.

Ladbrokes celebrated one of their best ever Festival days on Thursday with six favourites being beaten but the tables were well and truly turned on the final day at the Festival.

'The punters have fought back and their revenge has been vicious. Once the smoke clears we´ll know who won the war but for now, Kauto is off our Christmas card list' added McCarthy.

Kauto Star is 7/4 to successfully defend his crown in next year´s Cheltenham Gold Cup.