Kicking King - one-up for the punters (Getty Images).

By

Bookmakers welcomed the step into the uncharted territory of a fourth day at the Cheltenham Festival despite suffering another expensive defeat as Kicking King landed some hefty bets in the Gold Cup.

With turnover reported to have held up well throughout the week, both punters and bookies enjoyed their share of highs and lows.

For although there were one or two undoubted skinners, the heavily-backed successes of Irish stars Moscow Flyer, Hardy Eustace and Kicking King in the three biggest races of the week ensured that honours remained largely even over the four days.

David Hood of William Hill said that with the extra day of the meeting having generated as much activity as the first three, estimates of an industry turnover of £100 million a day look likely to be proved spot-on.

"Having had a good day yesterday, the punters got their revenge today when they waded in for the well-backed Kicking King," he said.

"Cardiff will be flooded with euros this weekend as the Irish head off to the rugby anticipating another massive victory."

Other layers were in agreement about the success of the four-day fixture, despite the meeting failing to sell out on the first three days.

Ladbrokes' spokesman Balthazar Fabricius said: "All sectors of the industry supported it wonderfully - the punters were hungry for the extra day and they were rewarded with excellent fields and competitive racing."

But Coral's Simon Clare was not so sure.

"Punters started off well and even though we had a great day on Thursday, we were taken apart again today," he said, adding tongue-in-cheek: "Although we're all for the idea of a four-day Festival, today's results left us wishing they had kept it at three for one more year!"

Kicking King's Gold Cup victory landed an on-course bet of £100,000-£25,000, while each-way bets of £50,000-£2,000 and £40,000-£1,200 also drew on runner-up Take The Stand.

Other big winning bets landed included a £45,000-£5,000 each-way on Moulin Riche in the Brit Insurance Novices' Hurdle, but some bookies were saved when Penzance held off Faasel for the Triumph Hurdle, the runner-up having been backed to take over £175,000 out of the ring in recorded bets alone.

The effects of the Festival are regularly remembered by Tote Jackpot punters for days after the meeting has finished.

And the victory of Fota Island in the fifth race, the Grand Annual, ensured that Uttoxeter punters have something to look forward to on Saturday in the shape of a £327,993 rollover to the Tote Jackpot.