After a weekend full of Festival clues we look at who Oddschecker punters have been backing
Bristol De Mai – 12%
Nigel Twiston-Davies saddled a one-two in Saturday’s Charlie Hall Chase with Bristol De Mai just getting the better of his stable companion Blaklion in a thrilling finish. That connections had stated Saturday was being treated as a prep-run for the Betfair Chase at Haydock indicates just how good a performance it was from the six-year-old. Beaten 20 lengths in last year’s Gold Cup, the hope will be he continues to improve with age and some bookmakers reacted to his weekend showing by cutting him into as short as 20/1 for the Festival showpiece.
ICYMI: Bristol De Mai beat stablemate Blaklion at Wetherby in dramatic Charlie Hall Chase | pic.twitter.com/bR2q5I1N8D
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) November 6, 2017
As for the Betfair Chase on the 25th, he’s now into 11/4 with one firm as he returns to the scene of arguably his best performance to date when he annialted the field in the Peter Marsh over course and distance.
Our Duke – 12%
Rather surprisingly Jessica Harrington’s seven-year-old is tied at the top of our list despite a disappointing showing at Down Royal on Saturday. Sent off the 5/6 favourite for the Grade 1 chase, he ran no sort of race before finishing last of the seven finishers. Said to have scoped badly post-race, his jockey Robbie Power was never happy with his mount and connections are keen to put a line through the lacklustre effort. The heavy defeat left bookmakers far from impressed with the 7/1 available post-race lengthened to as big as 25/1 with some firms. Those prices however were snapped up with some punters obviously happy to forgive last year’s Irish Grand National winner with 16/1 now best odds.
Espoir D'allen – 6%
Gavin Cronwell’s three-year-old made it two wins from two starts over hurdles with another stylish victory on the Down Royal card. Slick enough with his jumping throughout, Barry Geraghty looked to have a handful approaching the last and only needed to push him out ever so slightly before the horse put the race to bed in taking fashion up the run-in. The performance was enough for bookmakers to cut the JP McManus-owned colt in from 25/1 for the Triumph Hurdle to just 12/1 in places with 16/1 the best price on offer. Those odds putt him second in the market behind Gumball who saw the form of his second win franked on Friday when Malaya landed a Listed hurdle at Wetherby.
A smart performance from Espoir D'Allen who lands the opener at @Downroyal, a winner for @BarryJGeraghty and @gavincromwell1: pic.twitter.com/e6eghdepor
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 4, 2017
Willoughby Court – 4%
Ben Pualling’s six-year-old made an ideal start to life over the larger obstacles with victory at Huntingdon on Sunday. Sent off the 2/5 favourite, his jumping came under scrutiny on a number of occasions and despite having to be roused along from two out, he picked up nicely to win by 1 ¼ lengths. Winner of the Neptune at last season’s Festival, he rates one of the most exciting recruits to the chasing game and his trainer remained bullish about his stable star’s performance after the race: "There will be plenty of people queuing up to take him on now. I invite them to come and have a go. These good horses are there to be taken on. It is never going to be an easy season for him but he has started and won. I'm thrilled.” Before adding, "There are a lot of positives to be taken. I think there is a huge amount improvement to come and, in all honesty, that is a good thing”. Plenty of Festival options remain on the table with the Grade 1 winner prominent in the betting for the RSA, National Hunt Chase and the JLT.
Road To Respect – 3%
Noel Meade’s six-year-old may have finished second in Saturday’s JNWine Champion Chase but it appears punters saw plenty to like about the six-year-old’s performance. Another previous Festival winner last season, the Gigginstown-owned horse followed up that victory with a Grade 1 success at Fairyhouse over two and half miles before winning a Grade 2 over 3m1f on his seasonal reappearance.. Now best price 25/1 for the Gold Cup showdown in March, Saturday’s performance was arguably a career-best and he’s certainly a young, improving staying chaser to look forward to this season
