Andy Holding takes us through three big market movers for the Cheltenham Festival 2023 after a huge weekend in the ante-post markets.
Andy Holding is already well into planning for the Cheltenham Festival 2023 having previewed the Stayers’ Hurdle scene after the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury and the Champion Chase following Saturday’s eventful Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown.
He takes us through some of the other big Festival market movers from the weekend.
Cheltenham Market Movers
Alongside Shishkin, Honeysuckle was another big name who failed to live up to expectations over the weekend, her first defeat in 17 races coming at the hands of Teahupoo in the Hatton's Grace.
Again, it's way too early to be writing about her racing obituary, but at the same time, connections of Constitution Hill will be hardly losing any sleep over the coming months.
Shortening up to around the 2/5 mark after the great mares' demise, the title looks Nicky Henderson's inmate for the taking providing he stays healthy over the winter.
Constitution Hill 8/13 > 1/3 for the Champion Hurdle (2/5 Best Price)
Others to send shockwaves through their respective ante-post markets were Facile Vega in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and Lossiemouth in the Triumph Hurdle.
The former is now 5/4 to land the curtain raiser next March following a scintillating opening gambit over hurdles at Fairyhouse and it's difficult to argue with those sort of quotes given the ease of his victory and the way he operated over his obstacles.
Facile Vega 7/4 > Evens for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Best Price 5/4)
Betfred
- Huge range of regular promotions
- 24/7 live chat service
- PickYourPunt builder for custom bets
The latter was an unknown quantity heading into Sunday's Grade 3, who despite her lack of experience proved far too good for the best (all barring Nusret) Ireland had to offer so far to date.
The way she quickened away from Zarka The Brave suggests she's top class and considering she achieve this feat despite giving away ground by racing around the outside, her effort deserves even more praise. 7/2 for the main juvenile event at Cheltenham looks fair enough.
Lossiemouth 10/1 > 3/1 for the Triumph Hurdle (Best Price 7/2)
