Pride Of Dulcote, Paddy Powers and Ladbrokes not payin

out on Antepost bets

THERE was a mixed reaction from bookies to the news that Pride Of Dulcote could skip the rearranged Irish Hennessy on February 12 in favour of the Ascot Betfair Chase a week later.

Several firms, including William Hill and Sky Bet, have chosen to refund all bets on the Paul Nicholls-trained runner as an act of goodwill if the eight-year-oldis taken out of the race

Announcing that decision, Sky Bet spokesman Matt Doyle said: "We will wait until Tuesday [new forfeit stage] to see if he remains among the entries, but we plan, as an act of goodwill, to refund all bets on Pride Of Dulcote should he be removed from the race."

Ladbrokes have decided to void bets struck after the final declaration stage, however, all bets prior to this stage will stand.

Hayley O'Connor, spokeswoman for Ladbrokes, said: "All bets placed after 10am on February 4 will be void, but all bets in the ante-post market will stand."

Those sentiments were echoed by Coral odds-compiler James Knight, who said: "All ante-post bets struck prior to the final decs stage [February 4] will stand."

Paddy Power have taken a slightly different stance, announcing that all best placed after the five-day stage [Wednesday, February 2] will be void, although bets struck before this will stand.

Spokesman Tony Coleman also revealed that all bets placed on the Deloitte Novice Hurdle and on the Dr PJ Moriarty Novice Chase will be void.