Bookmakers are braced for the biggest betting week of the year as the 2023 Cheltenham Festival is upon us.
The highlight of the national hunt season kicks off on Tuesday and ends on Friday, with 28 races going to post.
Tens of thousands of Irish punters are set to make the trip to the Cotswolds for the betting bonanza.
READ MORE: Cheltenham Festival day 1 declarations in full
With more than 265,000 pints of Guinness set to be guzzled at the track, it is one of the biggest sporting and social events of the year.
And Ladbrokes are predicting more Irish dominance on the track after a final winning margin of 18-10 last year.
Ireland are as short as 1/25 for the Prestbury Cup bragging rights, while it is 15/8 that we train 19 or 20 winners. Great Britain are friendless at 16/1 to reclaim the Prestbury Cup for the first time since 2015, while a Tie can be backed at 14/1.
Elsewhere, Ladbrokes have revealed the horses they fear most, with Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup topping the list.
Shishkin, who heads the Ryanair Chase betting, is the second most popular pick, while Gerri Colombe in the Brown Advisory also takes the podium.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “The Cheltenham Festival is nothing short of a battleground. Punters will look to beat the bookies, while the Irish will hope to invade Prestbury Park with another landslide victory.
"With a wide-open week of terrific racing on the cards, this year’s Cheltenham Festival has all the ingredients to be the best yet.”
Most Popular Horses at Ladbrokes
Galopin Des Champs (Gold Cup) – 7/4
Shishkin (Ryanair) – 8/11
Gerri Colombe (Brown Advisory) – 6/4
Mighty Potter (Turners) -5/4
Jonbon (Arkle) – 6/4
Delta Work (Cross Country) - Evens
Gaillard Du Mesnil (NH Chase) - Evens
Lossiemouth (Triumph) – 6/4
Corach Rambler (Ultima) – 6/1
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