We look at who Oddschecker punters have been backing for Saturday's Grade 2 at Cheltenham
Betfair Chase winner Bristol De Mai may head the market for the 3m1f contest for trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, but he’s not having it all his own way when it comes to bets placed through Oddschecker in the last seven days.
Despite leading the way with 22.22% of all bets, he is only marginally more popular than Harry Fry’s progressive chaser American (7/1) who is responsible for 20.55% of wagers, followed closely by Definitly Red (6/1) for Brian Ellison with 18.42%.
Odds-on with some bookies at the start of the week, the favourite has been uneasy in the market since and has seen those odds drift to a best price 6/4. Going the other way in the market is Definitly Red who has seen his price shorten from 14’s to 11/2 with some firms. The strong support for American has also seen his odds compress from 9/1 to just 6/1 in places.
Ahead of this weekend’s race, connections have been discussing their chances with Anthony Bromley, racing manager for Bristol De Mai’s owners Simon Munir and Issac Souede expressing his surprise at how short their charge is in the market. Speaking to the Racing Post he said: “I think he’s priced as if he didn’t run in the King George. I am surprised he is so short. There are good horses in there against him."
“I’d love to see Bristol De Mai bounce back on Saturday,” Bromley added. “He has been placed in a JLT and was in with a shout of fourth in the Gold Cup last year after a troubled preparation before he made that mistake at the last.
Definitly Red’s trainer Ellison has his eyes on a potential run in the Gold Cup if his nine-year-old can build on his impressive victory in grade 2 company last time out: “I thought he was impressive last time, and goes to Cheltenham in great form. If he doesn’t go for the Gold Cup we’ll divert to Aintree for either the Bowl or the Grand National again.”
Harry Fry’s American will be hoping to bounce back from a disappointing effort in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury last time out where he was pulled up. That was his first defeat over fences following three impressive victories and connections have been keen to put a line through that effort for which he was sent off at just 5/1.
Former Gold Cup winner Coneygree is also entered with past Grand National runner-up The Last Samuri also an intended runner.
Oddschecker spokesperson George Elek: “Saturday’s race is part of a high quality card at Cheltenham with plenty of Festival clues on offer. Bristol De Mai fans will be hoping the grey can bounce back to the levels he showed at Haydock when landing the Betfair Chase and he’s shown decent form around Prestbury Park in the past. However, it looks as though punters aren’t too willing to forgive him his poor run at Kempton and he could well drift out to even bigger than his current odds of 6/4”
