Ballyburn is the most backed horse for Cheltenham Day 1 since confirmations were revealed for the first day of the Festival on Wednesday.
The Cheltenham Festival is only five days away from starting, and the final fields for the first day are beginning to take shape.
After Wednesday's confirmation which revealed the introduction of Iberico Lord into the Champion Hurdle and the early defection of Constitution Hill this race seems to have taken a different complexion.
Meanwhile, 5/2 Favourite Ballyburn has remained in contention for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle alongside Mystical Power, Firefox and Tullyhill.
And Lossiemouth has remained in the Mares’ Hurdle as questions continue to linger over whether she is a banker or not with doubts over her stamina over this trip.
Betfred
- Huge range of regular promotions
- 24/7 live chat service
- PickYourPunt builder for custom bets
Ballyburn
7% of all ante-post bets since 12:00 yesterday have been on the six-year-old Irish trained Ballyburn.
Willie Mullins prolific winner is currently favourite in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and be found at a best price of 1/1 (An implied chance of 50%) on Sky Bet or Coral.
There has been a fair amount of money for Firefox (4/1 at Coral) in the recent days who could be found at a best price of 7/1 this time last week. He has previously beaten Ballyburn however, there are question as to whether Ballyburn was at full fitness in this race, and Ballyburn has won his last two starts in the manner of a high-class horse.
He will take to the course and with improvement likely to come, it is no wonder that ante-post bettors are backing him.
Lossiemouth
3% of all ante-post Cheltenham Festival bets since 12:00 yesterday have been on the four-year-old filly.
Lossiemouth is unbeaten in two starts at Cheltenham and could hardly have been more impressive in winning the Unibet Hurdle here in January on her return. She has only met with defeat once in all her career starts and last season’s Triumph Hurdle winner surely has a lot more to come.
She has been favourite for the Mares’ Hurdle and looks likely to stick to that race against her own sex this year, but she retains an entry to run in the Champion Hurdle against her stablemate, State Man, after the Day 1 confirmations.
Opinions are split on whether she is a banker in the Mares’ Hurdle. Her stamina somewhat of a question mark with it being her first run over two-and-a-half miles, however her class in undeniable and it certainly won’t be easy to beat her.
Iberico Lord
2.5% of all ante-post bets on next week's Festival since 12:00 yesterday have been on the Nicky Henderson trained six-year-old.
Iberico Lord will take the place of stablemate Constitution Hill following his early withdrawal from the Champion Hurdle.
The JP McManus-owned Iberico Lord has a 3-7 record over hurdles, winning the Greatwood Hurdle on soft ground at Cheltenham in November and the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury from L'Eau Du Sud on heavy ground last month.
It presents an interesting angle for bettors who might be looking for an outside chance.
A proven handicapper with improvement likely, suitable ground and a fairly weak field behind State Man, Iberico Lord could present some value.
