Punters Anticipate Ballyburn's Entry in Baring Bingham as Betting Interest Shifts from Supreme

There’s been a notable shift in opinion from Cheltenham Festival punters on oddschecker to where Willie Mullins will send one of his star novice hurdlers. 

Ballyburn, the most backed Cheltenham Festival horse with us in 2024, had previously been expected to turn out in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

However, since another one of Willie Mullins’ novices, Tullyhill grabbed an impressive victory at Punchestown on Sunday – opinion has changed.

Since 3 pm on Sunday, a remarkable 63% of all bets placed on Ballyburn have favoured the novice to turn out at the Baring Bingham. 

This is a remarkable shift considering 68% of bets before this weekend had backed Ballyburn to win the Supreme.

Looking at the best odds from those bookmakers offering Non-Runner No Bet, Ballyburn currently holds favouritism for both races: 2/1 for the Baring Bingham and 6/5 for the Supreme. 

These two markets will certainly be one to watch over the coming days to see which race the punters are leaning towards for Willie Mullins’ top novices. 

Quote from oddschecker’s Leon Blackman: “Ballyburn backers eyeing the Supreme, beware! The fate of oddschecker’s most popular Cheltenham ante-post bet hangs in the balance, with indications suggestion him running in the Baring Bingham in March.

Tullyhill’s victory at Punchestown on Sunday has thrown the cat amongst the pigeons as punters believe he will be Mullins’ Supreme horse. If so, that would leave Ballyburn most likely to run at the Baring Bingham’s over a longer trip. 

68% of bets placed before this weekend with Oddschecker had backed Ballyburn for the Supreme. However, since Tullyhill’s win, only 37% of bets for Ballyburn have backed him to run in the Supreme.”