Bookies fear four Wednesday bankers as punters edge opening day at Cheltenham

Punters may just have edged day one of the 2022 Cheltenham Festival, with three winning market leaders and only one winner priced bigger than 10-1, but the bookmakers fear a fleet of day two bankers could make things even worse.

The likes of Constitution Hill, Edwardstone and Honeysuckle got many punters off to a flyer, but with big guns Sir Gerhard, Shishkin, Tiger Roll and Facile Vega dominating their respective markets on day two bookmakers fear punters building up an unsurmountable lead at the halfway stage.

"It was a mixed bag of results from our point of view on day one of this year's Festival, with punters enjoying a great start thanks to Constitution Hill and Edwardstone, while Honeysuckle is as reliable as a cash machine when it comes to paying her supporters," said Coral's David Stevens.

He added: "Those three results were all costly for us, but the Ultima and Mares' Hurdle were more favourable, and Gaelic Warrior's defeat in the Boodles means we can't have too many complaints about the day as a whole."

Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: "We have started the week on the back foot as punters took us to the cleaners on day one. Tomorrow could be even worse again, as banker after banker takes the stage. With Sir Gerhard, Shishkin, Tiger Roll, and Facile Vega all lining up, it has the potential to be a very bad day in the office."

Betfair's Barry Orr pointed to the fact it could have been much worse. He added: "Getting Gaelic Warrior and Run Wild Fred beat were outstanding results for us as there was considerable money running up on both following the wins for Constitution Hill and Honeysuckle."

Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said they won on the day. "Sometimes in life miracles do occur and despite Constitution Hill, Edwardstone and the brilliant mare Honeysuckle winning three of the first four races at very short prices, we won on the day," he said.

"Edwardstone was a particularly bad result, but Brazil beating the furiously backed Gaelic Warrior meant that we've nudged ahead, although there's still plenty of time for punters to strike back."

One punter got off to a magical start to the Cheltenham Festival by collecting £162,500 from a successful £50,000 wager with Star Sports on Constitution Hill in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

Arkle victory for Edwardstone was a further setback for the firm, with one customer winning £93,750 from a £25,000 bet.

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2022 Cheltenham Festival offers

• Paddy Power are giving away free bets to new customers and existing customers and all you need is an account. Sign up here
• Sky Bet have got a selection of offers for new customers. Choose yours when you sign up here. They've also got an offer on every race of the festival
• Betfair have lots of offers, extra places and money back offers for the festival. Sign up for a new account here
• To get a free bet from Ladbrokes today sign up to a new account here
• Don't have a Coral account? They have an offer for new customers here
• bet365 have a new customer offer available. Sign up here
• New William Hill customers can claim free bets here as well as benefit from their money back offers here
• 888 Sport have free bets for all new customers. Sign up here
• If you're a new customer, Tote are offering you a free bet. Sign up here to claim. They're also offering a free Placepot bet each day of the festival

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Sign up to William Hill here and get 30-1 on Shishkin to win the Champion Chase on Wednesday of the festival. New customers using EPS30. Applies to bets placed from 12:00 9th March 2022 until 15:30 16th March 2022. Max £1 bet at 30-1. Returns paid as 2 x £15 free bets (30-day expiry). Player, currency restrictions and terms apply. 18+. begambleaware.org.