Cheltenham Day 2: Five Most Backed Horses

Sir Gerhard 

Willie Mullins’ seven-year-old, whose choice of race was so hotly debated in the weeks leading up to the Festival, is the most backed horse for Wednesday at Cheltenham since the final declarations for the second day were made on Monday.

Having been confirmed for the Ballymore, Sir Gerhard has been cut into a best price 8/11. No other horses in the race are shorter than a best price 7/1. He has accounted for 9.1% of all bets on racing for Wednesday 16th March and 53.8% of the total bets on the Ballymore post final declarations.

Shishkin

Unsurprisingly, Nicky Henderson’s Champion Chase frontrunner makes our most backed list for Wednesday’s racing, as he prepares for his re-match with Willie Mullins’ Energumene less than two months after a classic encounter at Ascot. 

Since the market re-opened post final declarations on Monday, Shishkin has taken 8.5% of all bets on racing for Wednesday 16th March and 63.0% of the total bets on the Champion Chase.

Tiger Roll

There’s a sentimental feel to the third horse on our most backed list for Day 2, as Tiger Roll looks to ‘roll’ back the years and secure a sixth Festival win on what is expected to be his final appearance.

Interestingly, Steve Ryder believes Tiger Roll is a worthy favourite given his experience of the course but has instead taken a chance on stablemate Delta Work for his Placepot Head to Head with Tote ambassador and leading jockey Danny Mullins.

Clearly many of you disagree with Ryder, though, as the Gordon Elliott-trained Tiger Roll has been backed in 49.6% of the Cross Country Chase bet-slips through oddschecker.

Bravemansgame

L'Homme Presse has been the more interesting case in recent weeks, as punters debated whether Venetia Williams would line him up for the Turners (against Bob Olinger and Galopin Des Champs) or the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, where Bravemansgame lies in wait. 

Andy Holding said in his Day 2 column: “The renewed rivalry between Bravemansgame and Ahoy Senor is one of the main narratives, but while they are both respected, they are worth taking on with L’Homme Presse and Capodanno. 

"Connections of the former have decided to come here rather than face the thankless task of flying the flag for GB in the Turners and that choice looks to be the right move based on his profile. Venetia Williams’ gelding has displayed the rare trait of speed and stamina in all four of his wins over fences and there’s no doubt his latest victory was his best."

Despite his reservations, however, 29.9% of the total bets on the Brown Advisory this week have still gone the way of Bravemansgame, who remains the marginal favourite at 3/1.

Facile Vega

Facile Vega rounds off our top five most backed list for Day 2 at Cheltenham, as the Willie Mullins-trained gelding looks to hold off the challenge of Gordon Elliott’s American Mike in the final race of the day. He has pulled in 3.2% of all bets on racing for Wednesday 16th March and 28.5% of the total bets on the Champion Bumper post final declarations.