We reveal the most backed horses through Oddschecker on the first day of the festival.
Benie Des Dieux – Mares Hurdle
The winner of the Mares Hurdle last year is being well backed to retain her title. Now as short as 5/6, her closest rival according to bookies, Limini, is way out at 9/1. Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh are a revered duo backers of them for the top trainer and jockey title will be expecting Benie Des Dieux to oblige.
After being denied a Cheltenham victory in 2018 by Benie Des Dieux, Apples Jade will be going for the Champion Hurdle and faces stiff opposition in Buveur D’Air and Laurina. The soft ground is expected to aid her claims and she is now 2/1 favourite.
Al Dancer – Supreme Novices Hurdle
The third and fourth most backed horses are the top two in the Supreme Novices Hurdle market as punters search for a winner in the opener. Al Dancer at 5/1 arrives in tremenedous form and can make it five from five over hurdles.
Klassical Dream – Supreme Novices Hurdle
The second Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh duo to be well backed on Day One, Klassical Dream is now as short as 4/1 for the festival opener. The five-year-old is two from two for the Irish trainer although both of these victories were on good ground and by a combined distance of 2 lengths.
The trend is clearly form for this list as Glen Forsa arrives three from three over fences and completes the top five most backed. The most recent win at Sandown where Mick Channon’s horse beat Kalashnikov by a mammoth 19 lengths cannot be ignored and holds him in great stead for the Arkle.
