LeoVegas Championship

Douvan disappoints but LeoVegas revels in first Cheltenham

LeoVegas confirmed that its first Cheltenham had “exceeded all expectations”, after watching 2/9 favourite Douvan come 7th in the Champion Chase on a triumphant day for the bookmakers.

Less than a year after launching in time for Euro 2016, the Swedish-based mobile gaming specialists acknowledged that whilst a hit could be around the corner, Ruby Walsh’s disappointing start to the festival had helped them get off to a flying start.

Edward Rycroft, Sportsbook Manager at LeoVegas, said: “This is LeoVegas Sports’ first Cheltenham and the interest we have seen has exceeded all our expectations. We are using the 2017 festival as a learning experience to help us develop and grow our Racing product for the benefit of our customers.

“The Neptune Hurdle saw Willoughby Court just keep his nose in front of Neon Wolf to kick-start a thrilling day two for bookies, but that was followed-up by an incredible race with Might Bite biting the bookies back in a photo finish.

“We then saw quite possibly the biggest shock of the entire festival as Special Tiara’s monumental effort saw him beat red hot favourite Douvan in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

“Our Price boosts on all Ruby Walsh’s rides have gone down fantastically with our players, and Ruby’s disappointing opening two days mean these boosted odds are yet to hit us with the blow we are expecting. However, with another two days of enhanced odds on all of Ruby’s rides, we are aware this hit may well be just around the corner.”

Stephen Harris, horse racing guru at bettingexpert, commented: “The bookmakers hammered the punters on day two, with only Might Bite providing some respite. The defeat of Douvan was the icing on the cake for the entire industry.

“Bettingexpert followers suffered a major disappointment when Neon Wolf was touched off in the first on the nod, while Project Bluebook also ran a blinder to fill the frame at 14/1 in the Fred Winter.”

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