PUNTERS EYE A TREBLE WITH 'THE MASTER' AS CHELTENHAM STARTS

Mullins has betting firms fearing a first day hammering as race fans flock to sun

- 

BOOKIES are fearing a painful start to the Cheltenham Festival at the hands of Willie Mullins today as thousands of punters head for the sun instead of the Cotswolds.

The master of Closutton has three well-fancied runners lining up in the shape of Mighty Park, Kopek Des Bordes and Lossiemouth, who run in the Supreme (1.20), Arkle (2.00) and Champion Hurdle (4.00) respectively.

Punters have been piling cash on the treble, which pays out at odds of around 33/1, and betting firms are scared of a brutal start to the week.

Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: "Willie Mullins is the undisputed king of Cheltenham, and his opening-day squad looks very dangerous. The confidence from punters is sky-high, and we are braced for a tough day in the office if the Closutton maestro hits the ground running."

Brian O'Keeffe, spokesperson for Boyle-sports, added: "Punters love to row in behind Willie Mullins every year at the Festival and that loyalty could have us licking our wounds from the off.

"The much-spoken-about Mighty Park could have us on the back foot in the opening race, but with Kopek Des Bordes and Lossiemouth making up a dangerous treble, we'll be playing catch-up for the rest of the week if the Mullins battalion hit the target on Tuesday."

PRESSURE

Cork jockey Paul Townend, who partners both Kopek Des Bordes and Lossiemouth, explained how key it is to get a winner on the board early in the week.

"It can't be highlighted enough how important it is to get that monkey off your back early," he told Betway. "You go there with such high expectations, so getting on the board early is key just to ease that pressure a little because the longer the wait goes on, the more anxious you get.

"We'll have a few nice chances on Tuesday this year, so I'll be doing everything I can to get that first winner on Day 1."