THE self-proclaimed 'maddest f***er on the planet' looks to be working his magic again just in time for the Cheltenham Festival.
Rich Ricci is a well-known name to ardent racing fans.
But anytime he appears on ITV Racing, a whole new audience are exposed to the £100million banker with the mullet and snazzy suits.
Put simply, as good as Ricci is in the boardroom, he's equally as good on the racecourse.
A big spender with seemingly limitless cash resources and the expertise of Willie Mullins at his disposal, Ricci will be one of the owners to watch in March.
And after a relatively quiet couple of years, it looks like his big ones are set to fire at just the right time.
He currently has the ante-post favourites in four races.
Lossiemouth has swept all before her over hurdles.
Most read in Horse Racing
Jockey facing huge ban for 'extraordinary' betting scandal breaks silence
This 8-1 chance bounced back to form when a close-up second here last time
My NAP under expert jockey Kevin Stott looks a banker on Wednesday
'He could be ridiculous' – Ruby Walsh's fascinating Cheltenham Festival predictions
OFFERS OF THE DAY
William Hill: Bet £10 Get £40 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Betfair: Bet £10 Get £30 – CLAIM HERE
Paddy Power: £5 in Free Bets when you place a £10 bet on Horse Racing – CLAIM HERE
Sky Bet: Bet £10 on Racing and get £30 in free bets –CLAIM HERE
Ladbrokes: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
Coral: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
William Hill: 18+. Play Safe. When you sign-up via Mobile using promo code P40 and place a bet of £10/€10 or more we will give you 4x £10/€10 free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. Virtual markets excluded. #ad begambleaware.org
Betfair – Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org
Paddy Power: Applies to £10+ singles placed on any Horse racing market, min odds 1/2 (1.5). £5 Free bet will be awarded after qualifying bet settlement, valid for 30 days. Opt-In Required. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Sky Bet: New customers only. First single & e/w bet only odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets only redeemable on horse racing. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions and further t&cs apply.
Ladbrokes: 18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £/€5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4x £/€5 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Coral: Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cash-out, restrictions & T&Cs apply. 18+ T&Cs Apply. Begambleaware.org
Unbeaten in three races, the four-year-old filly is the red-hot 6-4 favourite for the Triumph Hurdle.
Allegorie De Vassy looks set for a blockbuster clash with Impervious – recently purchased by Irish billionaire JP McManus – in the Mares' Chase.
But bookies make the Ricci runner the one to beat at 15-8.
Chapeau De Soleil is the 8-1 market leader for the Champion Bumper – the race to win on the path to greatness.
And then there is Gaelic Warrior.
One of the 'talking horses' of last year, he looked absolutely thrown in off a mark of 129 in the Boodles only to be nutted on the line by Brazil.
The five-year-old is unbeaten since then and among the market leaders for no fewer than nine races.
And though he looks like being capable of mixing it at Grade 1 level, it's in the handicaps that punters are backing him.
He is 7-1 for the Coral Cup and 8-1 for the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle.
Then again he's a best-price 6-1 for the Grade 1 Ballymore over 2m4f.
Fancy him against Facile Vega in the Supreme? He's 16-1.
Basically, Mullins has the wonderful problem of picking where to put Gaelic Warrior, who has won his past two races by a combined 101 lengths.
And it's not like the quality tapers off after that.
Vauban looks capable of pushing Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle.
Read More on The Sun
I’m a speed camera officer… here are three myths drivers always get wrong
You’re charging your iPhone wrong – how to make it charge much faster
Chacun Pour Soi could mix it up in the Ryanair or run in the Champion Chase.
While two-time Festival winner Monkfish has entries in the Gold Cup (40-1) and Stayers' Hurdle (20-1).
FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chases their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
Source: Read Full Article
