Weekend Review: Layers relish Cheltenham Festival and Man City’s stumble

It was a bookmaker-friendly Cheltenham Festival last week sprinkled with a handful of punter-backed favourites at Prestbury Park.

A win for Gaelic Warrior (11/4) in the Gold Cup on Friday, 13 March, was well received by the backers, as were victories for Lossiemouth in the Champion Hurdle and Dinoblue in the Mares’ Chase.

However, upsets were aplenty. Kopek Des Bordes and Lulamba were ousted by 7/1 Kargese in the Arkle, while 3/1 Jagwar came second to 18/1 Johnnywho in the Ultima Handicap Chase.

Home By The Lee, a 33/1 shot, won the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle on Thursday, before 50/1 Apolon De Charnie took the JCB Triumph Hurdle on Friday.

Betfred’s Alan Firkins said: “Cheltenham’s National Hunt Festival offered up a few well-supported ‘good things’ that duly obliged, but overall there were plenty of turn-ups to keep punters on the back foot. 

“Trainer Willie Mullins dominated as per, and jockey Paul Townend confirmed he’s this generation’s Walsh/McCoy/Geraghty with some beautifully executed rides, especially with Gaelic Warrior in the Gold Cup, tenderly handled and skipping up the hill to score by a yawning eight lengths. Spring beckons, thank goodness, but the winter game had its moment in the sun last week.”

Alex Firth, Midnite’s sportsbook lead, added: “Wednesday and Thursday proved much harder for punters with six double-figure winners across the 14 races, largely from Willie Mullins’ charges as they often do at the festival, and only three favourites running on to win.

“Friday started with a 50/1 winner in the form of Apolon De Charnie in the Triumph, one of Willie Mullins’ army of nine runners in the race.”

One 69-year-old Paddy Power customer won €558,000 on the Friday thanks to a €0.50 each-way Lucky 63 bet.

The operator called it “one of the all-time great Cheltenham betting coups”.

In the Premier League, West Ham boosted their chances of survival with a 1-1 draw at home to Manchester City in what was a win for the bookies.

The Hammers went behind after a fortuitous Bernardo Silva cross-cum-shot before Konstantinos Mavropanos bulleted a header in from a corner to equalise.

The result also dented City’s title hopes, with Arsenal (2/5) having beaten Everton 2-0 at the Emirates thanks to late goals from Viktor Gyökeres and 16-year-old Max Dowman.

A host of draws across the weekend, including Spurs leaving it late to level the scores at 1-1 against Liverpool and three 0-0 games across the league, were music to layers’ ears.

Plus, Chelsea losing 1-0 at home to Newcastle (16/5) after an Anthony Gordon tap-in was another positive.

Bet365’s Steve Freeth called it a “weekend to savour” after just 12 goals were scored over then nine games.

He added: “We witnessed three 0-0 draws, and the game at Arsenal also looked to be going that way before Jordan Pickford’s rush of blood with the Gunners touching 4/1 in-play.

“However, in the grand scheme of things, we can’t complain about a rare winning favourite leaving it late having seen the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and, then the icing on the cake, the often-criticised Spurs, leaving Liverpool with a rare yet well-deserved point.

“West Ham played their part by holding Manchester City to a 1-1 draw in East London, completing a miserable day for punters having seen Chelsea lose at home 1-0 to Newcastle with ‘Huddle-Gate’ once again rearing its head.”

Firkins noted: “A Premier League weekend containing five draws, with one game remaining, will invariably be one for the layers to celebrate.

“One of those stalemates was pretty crucial in terms of the title race, as Manchester City didn’t do nearly enough to overcome West Ham in a modest 1-1 affair at the London Stadium.”

FDJ United’s Ali Gill said: “After a fantastic Cheltenham last week, which returned overall great results for the book as punters had a real rough time, the Premier League offered little reprieve at the weekend as layer-friendly results rolled in.

“The title race looks effectively over after Man City were held to a draw at West Ham, which was comfortably the best result of the match round, while a good win for Newcastle at Chelsea and a last-minute equaliser for Spurs against Liverpool were other results which left a very strong margin and little chance for winning accas.”

On the continent, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan were held to draws as the league leaders in Germany and Italy, respectively, failed to shine.

Bayern went 1-0 down to Bayer Leverkusen, then had Nicolas Jackson sent off before Luis Díaz equalised. Díaz was then sent off in the 84th minute to leave Bayern with nine men.

Inter drew 1-1 with Atalanta at the San Siro, while Lens, a surprise title challenger in France, lost 2-1 at Lorient.

Freeth added: “The European Saturday coupon wasn’t much better for punters with numerous leaders and title challengers unable to secure three points.

“La Liga did have its fair share of winning favourites. Midweek hat-trick hero Federico Valverde scored again for Real Madrid and Arda Güler scored from inside his own half against Elche.

“Barcelona went one better by beating Sevilla 5-1 with Raphinha helping himself to a hat-trick (20/1), and third-placed Atlético Madrid continued their strong home form with a 1-0 victory against Getafe.”