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Casino Beacon > Online Casinos > New Casino Bonuses > Bonus Archive 06 June 2008 Epsom Derby - Bookies Keep Their Fingers Crossed For Frankie What a difference a year makes. In a complete U-turn from last year's Epsom Derby, bookies William Hill are this year virtually praying that Frankie Dettori is the Derby hero once again at Epsom as Saturday kicks off a massive betting weekend with a predicted turnover of £150million. Last year, Frankie's victory aboard the red hot 5/4 favourite Authorized meant the betting industry paid out £50 million to his backers, but this year Frankie rides 20-1 long-shot Rio De La Plata for his bosses at Godolphin and so far he is one of the least backed horses in the race. The flamboyant Italian usually strikes fear into the bookies hearts because of his punter popularity, and he has cost the layers billions over the years with his awesome strike-rate in major races. But, Hills are convinced that the Italian will be repaying some of their losses if he wins again on Saturday. Check Latest Epsom Derby Odds (SkyBet) Rio De La Plata has nine horses ahead of him in the betting, and regular punters are more likely to opt for either one of the candidates challenging Casual Conquest for favouritism than Frankie's mount. David Hood, spokesman for William Hill, said: "Go on Frankie. It's not often we are cheering for him, but Rio De La Plata is such a great result for us, that even factoring in how popular he might be with occasional punters on Saturday because of Frankie, it's still sure to be a whopping result for the firm. It took him 12 years to win his first Derby, but we're hoping his second will come sooner than that." Ironically, William Hill expect that 1000/1 outsider Maidstone Mixture could end up as one of the worst results in the race - but they aren't exactly losing any sleep about it. "At 1000/1 he could qualify as the worst horse ever to grace the great race (Noddies Way and Portuguese Lil were both 500/1 chances) but history demonstrates that on these big races, an average betting shop will take at least £2 to £3 in bets for even the most unlikely winners. With 10,000 betting shops in the UK and Ireland and those in the Kent area probably fielding £10-£20 for him at such a big price, he could easily cost bookies well over £40 million." said William Hill's spokesman David Hood. Online bookies SkyBet also have Maidstone Mixture priced at 1000/1. |
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