Cheltenham Festival Racecourse Betting Shops

H

harry

At the Start
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Apr 16, 2005
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Will be open for business and run by Bristol independent bookmaker The Winning Post, as reported in the RP

[h=3]Bristol bookie to run festival shop[/h]By Stuart Riley
FEARS that two of Cheltenham’s on-course betting shops could be left vacant for the biggest betting meeting of the year appeared to be put to rest yesterday.
The Racing Post understands Bristol-based independent firm Winning Post will run the shop in the Centaur, while an announcement on the occupants of the Sovereign Bar betting shop could be made as soon as today, with talks thought to be at an advanced stage.
Cheltenham was forced to act quickly when Ladbrokes decided to pull out of running the two shops after losing their ten-year sponsorship of the World Hurdle, which will be run this year under the Ryanair banner.
The move, sparked by the authorised betting partner row, left the track with just four weeks to find a replacement.
When Ladbrokes gave up their shop at Royal Ascot it was Roy Holbrooke’s Winning Post that stepped in but with the small firm only able to run one of the Cheltenham shops the course has had to find another firm to run the shop in the Sovereign Bar, adjacent to seats above the Tattersalls enclosure.
 
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Surprised Ladbrokes don't have a long term lease on the shops - seems to be desperate measures for Cheltenham who are mad keen to get a firm in to run the shop and the Bristol mob don't mind taking a gamble.

Martin
 
links781 said:
To take on a shop like that at the festival how much of a reserve of cash would a small independent need?
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The link says they did it at Royal Ascot too. They might know what they are doing?
Its for only one of the shops; the other is due to be announced today according to the article.
 
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I'm gutted as did 75% of my on-course business with them and know the guys who've run the shops very well. They'll be devastated as was their best week of the yr!

Lads have done their money (low six figures) over the last few years, but the main reason has been the insane offers - enhanced prices on every fav at the preview nights (limited to £50pp but so busy they have no way of knowing), best industry early morning price+ on virtually every runner, extra places, money back offers (money back for 2nd in a 3 runner race at the October meeting!) ew 1/4 all races including a 9 rnr nov hurdle with a 4/9 fav etc.etc.

There's a captive audience (especially if wet) and expect the racecourse is taking a lower cut than from Lads, so they've a chance but only if they play it straight. Hopefully they don’t....
 
Hopefully they'll be there at the preview night Perpetual.
I Remember last year 9/2 Vautour, max of £50 but with all the different kiosks they had no way of knowing how many times you'd place the same bet.
 
del boy said:
Not being smart, but why will they do their brains? Surely a high turnover from a p*ssed up betting public cant be a bad thing??
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Depends how they trade their early prices and how hard they bet. Every smart punter will be have descended to Chrltenham. They will be picked off mercilessly on any mistakes. Of course if they survived the day at Ascot last year when Ryan Moore rode a treble then perhaps it's a sign they bet very soft. As an independent they are less tied to their prices like the bigger firms who have to hold thei prices for their online customers. This leaves you exposed to the smart guys on course.
 
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