A MASSIVE Willie Mullins Cheltenham favourite has been ‘absolutely hammered’ in the betting for a different race.

Kopeck De Mee was already backed off the boards for the closing Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle and is as short as 5-2 for the 2m4 finisher.

PA:Press Association

Willie Mullins looks like could have got round the Cheltenham rules again with seriously unexposed top prospect Kopeck De Mee – although where he runs is anyone’s guess[/caption]

But the completely unexposed French hurdler has since been clobbered for the County Hurdle – even though Mullins already holds a strong hand.

Kopeck De Mee, who is owned by billionaire racing supremo JP McManus, has been backed from 5-1 into as short as 10-3 for the 2m1f County earlier on Friday.

Mullins looks set to run defending champ and 7-1 second-fav Absurde in that race.

Along with 12-1 Ethical Diamond, who is also owned by HOS Syndicate.

The Closutton genius has a whole host of others including Tony Bloom’s Bunting ready to contest the fierce handicap.

But punters think Kopeck De Mee – who could be 2st well in with a rating of 136 – is the one to be with.

He gets round the five-run rule having raced that many times in France, but his last run came right back in May 2024.

Word is that he has been impressing on Mullins’ gallops and has been backed accordingly.

In his most recent stable tour, Mullins told Sporting Life: “He came in early in the season and he looked like a tip-top novice chaser but had a little setback.

“He’s back in training now so rather than go chasing this end of the season we decided to go over hurdles.

“It’s tough going to Cheltenham for a first run of the season but he looks a real nice type and has plenty of experience from France.

“Depending on which race we decide, he’s one I think you can follow.”

The move for Kopeck De Mee came as another Mullins star was backed.

Punters had piled into Lossiemouth being re-routed to the Mares’ Hurdle – but the cash has since come thick and fast for her sticking to the Champion Hurdle in what could be the race of the year.

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NEW parents are financially worse off by an average of £9,582 in their child’s first year, due to a drop in income and the cost of raising a child.

A poll of 1,000 people who welcomed their first child in the past five years found the monthly household income dropped by an average of nearly £600 a month – a total of £7,200 a year.

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Baby food and nappies were among the biggest financial surprises for new parents[/caption]

But at the same time, an average of £225 extra each month was spent on new items for their baby, such as nappies (£54) and baby food, snacks, and drinks (£102).

Kitting out their newborn in clothes across the whole year totalled £127, while attending baby groups and classes set new parents back around £415.

It also emerged 64 per cent felt the financial impact of having a child was bigger than they’d expected – with 45 per cent saying their stress levels increased as a result.

Nonetheless, 64 per cent say welcoming their new child brought them joy and 30 per cent felt complete.

The study was commissioned by Aldi which has launched its ‘Mamia New Parent Fund’ – designed to support families with the costs of welcoming a newborn by giving away £100 in Aldi vouchers to new parents every week for a whole year.

Julie Ashfield at Aldi UK said: “No parent ever forgets the joy of welcoming a new child, but it often also brings unexpected financial challenges.

“Even after the big-ticket purchases before the baby arrives, there’s suddenly lots of new items to add to your weekly grocery list for the first time.”

The research also revealed the recurring purchases of nappies (17 per cent) and baby food (14 per cent) were among the biggest financial surprises for new parents.

Of those who tried to save money on newborn items, 49 per cent shopped around first, 37 per cent turned to second-hand items, and 35 per cent made use of hand-me-downs.

But three in 10 felt pressured to spend more on things than they now feel they really needed to during the first year of having their baby.

What’s more, 29 per cent claim the financial impact negatively affected their overall wellbeing, and 23 per cent say it impacted their ability to make healthy diet choices for themselves.

The OnePoll.com data also found 24 per cent didn’t feel financially supported as a new parent.

Commenting on the Fund, which parents can apply for by emailing mamiaparent@aldi.co.uk with a receipt showing their latest Mamia nappy purchase, Julie Ashfield added: “As the UK’s cheapest supermarket, we’re committed to doing whatever we can to support parents in making their money go further.

“This fund is just another way that we’re supporting parents to help them better enjoy every moment with their new arrival.”

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Over 60% of new parents found the financial impact greater than expected, with 45% reporting increased stress[/caption]