Find out who punters have been backing for Cheltenham after this weekend's NH action
Finian’s Oscar - 23.5%
Colin Tizzard’s crack novice hurdler made the perfect start to life over the larger obstacles at Chepstow on Saturday, sauntering home to an 11 length victory in the 2m3f Listed contest. Sent off the 1/3 favourite, there was a brief moment of concern turning for home when Bryan Cooper looked to be nudging the five-year-old along in an attempt to close the gap on the two leaders out in front. The unfortunate slip of Alcala, who appeared to be travelling the best of that duo, robbed us of a true test of the Colin Tizzard runner’s credentials but he was tidy throughout and Cooper was pretty much motionless in the saddle down the finishing straight. Oddschecker punters were obviously impressed by what they saw with 23.5% of all ante-post bets this weekend invested in the dual Grade 1 winning hurdler.
Nicely done! A winning start over fences for Finian's Oscar at @Chepstow_Racing and a first winner in those colours for @92bryan92: pic.twitter.com/1DgYJ8o1zb
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 14, 2017
Gumball - 14%
It may be early in the season but Philip Hobbs looks to have a talented juvenile on his hands in the shape of Gumball. A perfect two from two, the three-year-old put in a performance full of promise at Chepstow on Sunday afternoon, pulling well clear of a well-regarded Paul Nicholls type to lay down his Festival credentials, even if we are only in October. Although not as economical over his hurdles as he had showed at Straford on his first start for connections, he still managed to bound clear of the field up the long home straight after powering his way through the race under champion jockey Richard Johnson. Bookmakers responded to his latest victory by cutting him to as short as 16/1 for the Triumph and punters were keen to add him to their Cheltenham portfolios with just shy of 14% of all ante-post bets this weekend for the juvenile.
An authoritative win from Gumball who scores in fine style at @Chepstow_Racing under @dickyjohnson77: pic.twitter.com/VoqmfTekzk
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 15, 2017
Annamix - 5%
The Willie Mullins hype machine still appears to be in good order with the latest horse to feel the effects now favourite for the Supreme. Already cut from 33/1 to as short as 12’s without setting foot on a racecourse, punters are still piling in on the French recruit with another 5% of all ante-post bets this weekend for the Mullins runner.
Melon - 4%
Last year’s Mullins hype horse, he found only one too good at Prestbury Park in March but has been backed to go one better at this year’s Festival and join the long list of Willie Mullins Champion Hurdle winners. The Irish supremo has an embarrassment of riches in the ante-post market with the likes of Faugheen, Douvan, Yorkhill and Limini all shorter in the market than Melon. But it’s the five-year-old punters want to be on at this early stage with 4% of all bets this weekend.
Cause Of Causes - 3%
Last year’s Cross Country winner is being backed to repeat the trick this season for trainer Gordon Elliott. Last seen finishing second in the Grand National, the nine-year-old had hosed up by 9 lengths at the Festival less than a month earlier. 7/1 favourite with bookies, 3% of ante-post plays have been on the JP McManus horse.
