We take a look at how the Cheltenham ante-post markets have changed after the festive racing.
The fesvtive racing has come to and end and as always we were treated to some fantastic races. Added to this, the Cheltenham ante-post markets have become far clearer. We have taken a look at some of the key moves in the big races for the Cheltenham Festival.
ABACADABRAS has shortened from 6/1 into 7/2 for the Supreme after another dazzling display in Ireland. Gordon Elliott will be keen to split him and ENVOI ALLEN up, with the later 2/1 for the Ballymore and his form is simply incredible. BLUE SARI was disappointing and has drifted for the Supreme.
NOTEBOOK announced himself as the new favourite for the Arkle after a mightily impressive display in the Novice Chase at Leoparstown on the 27th. He stayed on very well and put a dent in FAKIR D’OUDARIES’ unbeaten record for the season. In turn, he shortened from 16/1 into 5/1.
Fakir D’oudairies’ has remained around the 6/1 mark. However, at this stage punters believe Henry De Bromhead’s Notebook has the best chance for the Arkle.
EPATANTE shot to the top of the Champion Hurdle market after a commanding display in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. Nicky Henderson’s five-year-old is now the 3/1 favourite for the race, having been 20/1 before her victory.
KLASSICAL DREAM was found sore after his effort in the Matheson Hurdle, a poor jump at the fourth hurdle all but ended his chances. He is now a 10/1 shot for the Champion Hurdle.
SHARJAH stayed on nicely in the Matheson to win well and was instantly cut from 25/1 into as short as 7/1. Bought down in last year’s renewal, he has some unfished business coming back this year.
The King George VI Chase was won for a second year running by CLAN DES OBEAUX who, in turn, shortened from 20/1 into 5/1 for the Gold Cup. There must be question marks over whether he has the ability to win a Gold Cup, however.
LOSTINTRANSLATION, who was previously at the head of the market, was pulled up and has drifted out to 8/1 for the Gold Cup, having been a 4/1 shot before Boxing Day. Plenty will be will willing to give him another chance though.
The Savills Chase saw DELTA WORK bounce back to form after his seasonal reappearance. He has shortened for the Gold Cup from as big as 25/1, and is now a best price of 10/1.
KEMBOY has stayed at 6/1 after coming fourth in a bunched finish, having run a decent race after a 241 day break.
PRESENTING PERCY was given a gentle ride by Davy Russell and is getting a far better preparation for the race than he did last year. He is still a best price of 14/1 but is an interesting contender. It looks an extremely open race at this stage and the puzzle still looks far from being solved.
BATTLEOVERDOYEN made it three from three over fences and saw a few bookmakers shorten him up a bit more for the RSA Chase, with one bookmaker now rating him a 7/1 chance.
MINDELLA INDO was a non-runner for the same race, making Battleoverdoyen’s task far easier. It will be interesting to see where he goes next, and is available at 9/1 for the RSA Chase. CHAMP runs tomorrow and is an odds-on shot to make it three from three this season. He is at the top of the market for the RSA Chase, at a best price of 7/2.
APPLES JADE got back to her brilliant self in a 17 length romp in the Frank Ward Memorial Hudle at Leopardstown. There are obvious question marks over how strong that form is but she is now as short as 8/1 for the Stayers Hurdle, having been 33/1 before her outing on the 28th. A standout price of 20/1 is still available on her.
