Bookmakers bless Sneezy as Black Tears saves them from multi-million payout

Concertista’s agonising defeat in the final strides of the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham resulted in a “multi-million pound” swing away from punters and towards bookmakers, who had been staring at significant losses from multiple bets placed on four day one favourites at the festival.

Layers had described their position as “ominous” after Appreciate It scored at 8-11 in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Shishkin did the same at 4-9 in the Arkle, with their situation compounded by Honeysuckle’s romp to victory as 11-10 favourite in the Champion Hurdle.

Concertista was shortened into 10-11 favourite to complete the four-timer for favourites, but having led over the last she was worn down by Black Tears, to provide trainer Denise ‘Sneezy’ Foster and jockey Jack Kennedy with victory instead.

'I'm absolutely shaking' – Black Tears gets Foster off the mark in Mares' Hurdle

David Stevens, Coral’s head of PR, said: “The result of the mares’ hurdle was a multi-million pound saving for the industry. The three best-backed horses of the day were Appreciate It, Shishkin and Honeysuckle, so with those races down and running on to the mares’ hurdle there was a lot going on to that.

“The liabilities were not quite as large as when Annie Power was beaten, although we were not far off. Where we were 100 yards out and where we were at the line was a big difference. I think all we can say is bless you Sneezy!”

Paddy Power were among layers to estimate they had been saved an seven-figure payout by Concertista’s defeat.

“Let me assure you there weren’t any black tears inside our trading room when the leading lady of the same name collared odds-on favourite Concertista,” Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said.

“It didn’t look too jolly after hotpots Appreciate It, Shishkin and Honeysuckle all did what their odds suggested and Concertista’s defeat was fantastic for the bookies in its own right and for the multiples.”

Summing up how the results had impacted them, Sky Bet’s Michael Shinners added: “It was a significant swing in our favour. It’s the difference between near enough breaking even on the day and facing a significant loss.”

Alongside the victories of Appreciate It, Shishkin and Honeysuckle on day one, Vintage Clouds (28-1) and Jeff Kidder (80-1) provided notable results for the bookmakers.

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