Thousands of hopeful punters are heading to Cheltenham aiming to pick out a winner this week – and darts star Luke Humphries hit the bullseye on day one by landing £3,250 on the very first race of the Festival.
The 2024 world champion was in attendance with darts rivals Luke Littler and Nathan Aspinall on Tuesday and wasted no time in bashing the bookies, placing £1,000 on Old Park Star at odds of 9/4.
And Nicky Henderson’s unbeaten hurdler obliged under jockey Nico de Boinville, coming through in the final stretch and passing Sober Glory, who had led for most of the race.
Luke Humphries with Nathan Aspinall (left), Luke Littler and Littler’s girlfriend Faith Millar
Humphries proudly displays his winning bet slip, with his friend landing an even bigger win
Littler pictured at the course on Wednesday for Ladies Day, alongside Millar
Humphries posed for a picture with racing analyst Pro Sports Advice, who had landed an even bigger prize of £17,500 after backing Old Park Star to the tune of £5,000.
Humphries, 31, confirmed his winnings would be donated to charity.
Littler, who has usurped Humphries as world No1 by landing the last two World Championship titles, was joined by his girlfriend Faith Millar and was also pictured at the course early on day two.
Littler and Humphries will both be heading 100 miles north to Nottingham for night six of the Premier League on Thursday, where they could meet in the semi-finals.
The friends and rivals have met in the final in both of the last two seasons – winning once each – but have both had a slow start to this year’s tournament.
Humphries has yet to reach a final and is currently outside the top four – who qualify for May’s finals night at the O2 Arena in London. Littler sits third, having broken his duck last week in Cardiff – landing the week five trophy by seeing off Jonny Clayton.