Sir Erec set to assume role of Irish banker as Paddy Power have a Friday phobia

With just over a fortnight to go until the Cheltenham Festival punters will be finalising selections, but is there an Irish banker this year? And if there is, who is it? David Jennings finds out

Paddy Power and BoyleSports have a Friday phobia, fully expecting Sir Erec to assume the role of Irish banker in the JCB Triumph Hurdle and fearing repercussions of multiples involving him and Presenting Percy in the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The Friday of Cheltenham is the biggest day of turnover each year for Paddy Power, and bookmakers – in Ireland especially – are having sleepless nights over thoughts of an unbeaten juvenile owned by JP McManus getting punters off to a flyer on Gold Cup day.

On Sunday Sir Erec was 11-8 favourite with Paddy Power and 5-4 with BoyleSports.

"The Irish banker doesn’t usually tend to come in the Triumph, but this year Sir Erec looks very solid and could get Gold Cup day off to a flyer for punters," said Paddy Power spokesperson Paul Binfield.

"With Friday being the biggest turnover day of the year, we often see big run-ups if fancied horses go in. Sir Erec, Presenting Percy and Stand Up And Fight [Foxhunter] could see us running for cover on likely Martin Pipe favourite Dallas Des Pictons, should they oblige earlier in the day.

Paddy Power fear 'Gold Cup day multiple mayhem' featuring Sir Erec and Presenting PercyCredit: Michael Steele (Getty Images)

"If Irish banker Sir Erec comes up trumps we'll be smiling through gritted teeth, as not only will he be a substantial loser but we’ll be fearing a bit of Gold Cup day multiple mayhem."

He added: "Our biggest loser of the festival all winter was Presenting Percy, but Clan Des Obeaux has taken up the lead role as customers seem to be siding with recent form."

Ladbrokes believe Benie Des Dieux will be the shortest-priced Irish runner at the festival and the firm’s head of PR Nicola McGeady expects her price to shorten considerably in the lead-up to the OLBG Mares' Hurdle.

McGeady said: "At his press day on Wednesday, Willie Mullins made Benie Des Dieux his banker of the week. With the second and third favourites for the Mares' Hurdle on target for the Champion Hurdle, we can only see last year's winner tightening up."

She added: "We had rattled up a liability on Cilaos Emery for the Arkle but it's unlikely he'll make the festival now, so in his absence Laurina is our worst loser overall.

"We laid a significant four-figure bet on Clan Des Obeaux in the Gold Cup this week."

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