Annie Power, Min and Faugheen were all at the top of the market for their respective races
Monday’s disappointing announcement that both Faugheen and Min would be joining Annie Power in missing March’s showpiece has left thousands of ante-post bets in tatters.
Of the three it’s Faugheen’s absence that has caused the biggest damage to Oddschecker punters with 6.1% of all ante-post singles since the end of last year’s Festival being on the 2015 Champion Hurdle hero. A further 3.15% have been left with a losing bet after Min’s withdrawal while 5.88% were left tearing up their virtual betting slips in January when news broke of Annie Power’s absence.
Not only has the news caused havoc to singles it’s also meant a number of pre-festival multiples are already down without a fence being jumped. The injury to Faugheen has meant over 17% of accas are up in smoke with a further 16% now worthless after the Annie Power news.
Those lumping on Cheltenham 'bankers' accas have been left cursing their luck with a huge 36.8% of bets now pointless following the announcement the Mullins trio will miss the Festival.
All in all, the news of the last few weeks has meant only 63.2% of all ante-post bets on Cheltenham through Oddschecker in the last 12 months are still live. Punters will certainly be hoping the likes of Altior, Native River and Bellshill make it through their weekend assignments unscathed or there could be further heartbreak ahead!
