Cheltenham festival bookies beware: Rich Ricci is back
The sight of former Barclays banking supremo Rich Ricci may still spark panic in the upper echelons of the bank’s new right-on family. But there’s one tribe which may be even more nervous about Ricci’s presence – the bookies.
That’s because horse-loving Ricci has three favourites running today at the start of the Cheltenham festival which will spell disaster for book makers if they all win. Douvan will race in the 1.30, Faugheen in the 3.20 and Annie Power in the 4.00.
Ladbrokes’ Alex Donohue said: “Festival fans look set to get off to a flyer if all three of his opening day bankers oblige on what could be one of the most costly days in Cheltenham history.”
About £200m is set to be wagered by punters at the festival this week.
“The sight of Rich Ricci in the winners’ enclosure will spell disaster for the bookies,” Donohue said.
Maybe not as much as a disaster as if he showed up in Canary Wharf to attend one of Barclays’ boss Antony Jenkins’ new sermons on ethics and culture.