Ladbrokes' Hayley O'Connor fears her outfit could take a hammering at the hands of Cheltenham punters on the opening day of the Festival this afternoon.
With Irish jockey Ruby Walsh and trainer Willie Mullins pairing up for a formidable assault on the Day 1, Ivan asked Hayley on Newstalk's Breakfast how she felt her bookmakers were viewing the "four bankers" from Closutton.
Listen to Ivan's interview with Hayley here:
"To some extent we've almost accepted defeat, in a way for the first day," said Hayley.
"The thing is we have to be so competitive. It is a four-day Festival ... we could get absolutely slaughtered today."
While Jezki and Hurricane have a storied rivalry, Faugheen comes into the Cotwolds as favourite for the feature Champion Hurdle.
@cheltenham @hayleyladbrokes @Jessica_Racing Molly & Jack getting into Festival mode #charityrace pic.twitter.com/GGSmcpMDRe
— Christy Broe (@ChristyBroe) March 9, 2015
"I'm a huge fan of Faugheen," said Hayley. "Faugheen is now 6/4. This horse has been odds-on and I think the feeling is that just a few of the bookmakers want to take him on today.
"There is that question - that he hasn't competed against Jezki and Hurricane Fly.
"But he does look like a machine. The feeling over here is definitely that he's the one to beat.
"And obviously Ruby thinks that as well because he's deserted his old pal Hurricane Fly."
Hayley also admitted that her "worry of the day" Annie Power in the Mares' Hurdle.
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