Different course and trips

THOSE TRADITIONALISTS who hark back to a three-day festival have got their wish with yesterday's dramatic cancellation at Cheltenham, but even the loss of a whole day's racing could still work to the benefit of bookmakers.

An estimated €100 million was expected to be bet in Ireland over the four days, but a 10-race card today and tomorrow's nine-race fixture are expected to result in a betting bonanza.

"Normally we would expect the Thursday to turn over about €20 million for the industry in Ireland, but I would guess we're looking at about €35 million now," calculated Paddy Power of Paddy Power bookmakers.

"Gold Cup day might be expected to generate €30 million, but it could be anything up to €45 million with all those extra races," he added.

Yesterday's cancellation was the first at the Cheltenham festival since Gold Cup day in 1978 had to be moved to April and has resulted in a major programme reshuffle.

Today's card will now be run on the Old Course, and that has resulted in some alterations to race distances. The Kim Muir will now run at a furlong shorter than the original three miles and one-and-a-half furlongs.

The Jewson and the Ryanair will be half a furlong shorter, while tomorrow's additional races, the Ballymore Novice Hurdle and the Coral Cup, will also be half a furlong shorter and run on the New Course.

Today's attendance capacity has been increased by 10,000 to 65,000, which matches Gold Cup day. Tickets for yesterday will not be valid today, though there will be full refunds.