Weekend Review: Manchester is red as operators set sights on Cheltenham
United humble City as Champion Chase favourite Altior sees odds lengthen after trainer hints at possible leg splint
The bookmakers came out on top this weekend despite a relatively surprising Premier League victory for Manchester United over bitter rivals Manchester City.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s men recorded a 2-0 home win against their city rivals which saw them climb to fifth and close the gap on the Champions League places.
The remaining top-flight fixtures tended to go the way of the operators, with Kindred Group’s Ali Gill satisfied with the weekend’s results.
And in the red corner…winning ♥️ pic.twitter.com/GHQPUPsvQg
— Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford) March 8, 2020
Gill said: “It was another good weekend for us in the Premier League as we came out ahead in seven of nine games played.
“Manchester United were surprisingly well-backed all things considered, punters probably seeing home advantage and City’s likelihood to rest players as a green light to take the value price, and the Reds duly delivered for punters as we were left in the black there.”
Betdaq’s Mark Harkin told EGR about one punter who lost out on a five-figure payout.
He added: “One of the most anticipated Premier League fixtures took place over the weekend as Manchester United saw off local rivals Manchester City by two goals to nil. That meant bad news for one customer, though, who lost more than £20k after backing under 1.5 goals at 1.74.”
Betfred’s Peter Spencer told EGR about one of the weekend’s big winners – an online punter scooping over £7,000 on a triple bet.
Spencer said: “We had one punter put £10 on Chelsea, Manchester United and Derby County to win both halves. Chelsea were 4/1, Derby were 13/2 and Manchester United were 18/1. He ended up winning £7,125.”
Manchester United scored a 96th minute goal through Scott McTominay, which sealed the win for the punter.
Ahead of the Cheltenham Festival starting tomorrow, bookies and punters alike are gearing up for one of the biggest betting events of the year.
Quiet before the #CheltenhamFestival storm… pic.twitter.com/Sz8xcjl8fb
— CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) March 9, 2020
Betway’s Chad Yeomans said: “As ever, it’s going to be a drama-filled week of highs and lows and we’re excited to do battle with the punters on the biggest week in National Hunt racing.
“The Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase has shaped up to be the race of the festival and we all hope that Altior lines up to defend his crown, after reports of him being lame came out on Sunday morning, therefore, he may not be able to run.”
Altior, who has won the Champion Chase for the last two years, is suffering from a suspected splint or bony growth, according to trainer Nicky Henderson.
Speaking on betting trends ahead of the festival, Betfred’s Spencer added: “We’ve seen a lot of bets going in for Al Boum Photo in the Gold Cup.
“In the last 24 hours, we’ve also had a lot of money put on Envoi Allen in the Ballymore Hurdle.”
According to the latest data from Oddschecker, William Hill has taken an early lead in the Cheltenham clickshare rankings over the likes of bet365 and Sky Bet, but will this continue throughout the four-day festival?
Hills is offering seven places on the first race tomorrow, while Sky Bet is offering £10 back as cash.
The most popular horses with Oddschecker users so far have been Envoi Allen, Benie Des Dieux and Paisley Park.