LEGENDARY racehorse owner Rich Ricci has revealed he’s placed a big bet on one of his Cheltenham Festival runners.
The millionaire banking mogul has an almighty squad for next March’s feature event.
Lossiemouth is favourite for the Champion Hurdle while it looks like Gaelic Warrior will take on Jonbon in the Champion Chase.
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But it is in the Triumph Hurdle for juveniles that Ricci has already laid down some of his substantial cash.
Willy De Houelle was all the rage with punters in the know ahead of his debut for trainer Willie Mullins.
The French recruit was being labelled ‘racing’s next superstar‘ on the back of just two runs in France.
But he didn’t quite live up to that billing when finishing second at 1-4 in a Grade 3 hurdle at Fairyhouse to 33-1 roughie Naturally Nimble.
Ridden by Paul Townend, Willy De Houelle led after the second from home but was headed on the run in and couldn’t pick up again in time.
Bookies immediately took a view on the performance and, having been around 6-1 favourite for the Triumph, pushed him right out.
Ricci revealed in a chat with Matt Chapman on his Unbridled YouTube show that he quickly snaffled the 20s, believing he’ll be a totally different animal next time out.
Asked if he would take 16-1 about the three-year-old on the back of that run, Ricci said: “I took the 20s right after the race!
“I think his form in France is very, very good.
“On the day they went way too fast and he’ll improve for that.
“I think Willie is very confident that if that race was run again he’d win.
“I haven’t lost confidence in him yet – let’s see what he does next time out, which will be at Christmas.”
Ricci also confirmed the plan is for superstar mare Lossiemouth to run in the Champion Hurdle, rather than the Mares’.
The stunning grey was awesome in sweeping aside Teahupoo with ease in the Hatton’s Grace.
She is as short as 15-8 for the day one feature, which could be one of the greatest ever if all the main suspects line up.
Nicky Henderson’s Constitution Hill – who could face Lossiemouth in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton – is a best-price 4-1 as he continues his career recovery mission.
Defending champion State Man is as big as 9-2 to go in again while Sir Gino, who is also owned by Joe and Marie Donnelly, is 6-1, although he could well go for the Arkle.
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