Festival week has been 'kind' to the bookies but will they come out on top?

Bookmakers are well positioned heading into the final day of the Cheltenham Festival but are wary that could all change on the most popular day of the meeting.

Wins on Tuesday for Constitution Hill and Honeysuckle hit firms but the shock defeat of Shishkin and the agonising final-fence fall for Galopin Des Champs levelled things up going into an intriguing Friday.

No horse is shorter than 2-1 in the market on Friday although Vauban, State Man, Mount Ida and Billaway are sure to be popular. The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup market remains wide open with Galvin, A Plus Tard and Minella Indo towards the top of the market.

Big-priced winners including Third Wind (pictured) helped the bookies on day threeCredit: Mike Hewitt (Getty Images)

David Stevens from Coral said: "In recent seasons we've tended to have the worst of the results on the first three days, but then got out of jail on the Friday, the biggest day of the week. However, this year we went into day three slightly ahead, and maintained that advantage at the end of the day.

"Defeats for Galopin Des Champs, Sire Du Berlais, Imperial Alcazar and Dinoblue were the highlights for us on Thursday, although we didn't have it all our own way with Allaho rewarding favourite backers in the Ryanair and Love Envoi a popular choice at bigger odds.

"As we head into Gold Cup day we're in good shape, although a good Friday for punters would change all of that."

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"I think it's fair to say that the week in general has been kind to us," added Nicola McGeady, from Ladbrokes. "We didn't have it all our own way on day one with Constitution Hill, Edwardstone, and Honeysuckle all obliging. However, the pendulum swung in our favour on Wednesday.

"Wins for Allaho and Flooring Porter gave punters a chance to celebrate on Thursday, but on the whole it was a bookies day thanks to big-priced winners Third Wind and Coole Cody.

"Due to a wide-open Gold Cup, we aren't running away from anything just yet. However, the momentum seems to be with A Plus Tard, who is likely to be the worst result in the race."

Friday's Cheltenham Festival previews:

1.30 Cheltenham: who will come out on top between star juveniles Pied Piper and Vauban?

2.10 Cheltenham: 'He's got a big chance' - who fancies their chances in a red-hot County Hurdle?

2.50 Cheltenham: 'He's got the class and the form' - leading Albert Bartlett quotes and insight

3.30 Cheltenham: leading trainers on their chances of winning the 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup

4.10 Cheltenham: which trainer is taking the best horse he's ever brought to Cheltenham?

4.50 Cheltenham: Willie Mullins once again has good reason to be hopeful about the mares' chase

5.30 Cheltenham: 'He'll run a huge race' - is there a dark horse lurking in the Martin Pipe?

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