We look at which horses caught the eye of punters over the last few days
Footpad – 27%
A high-class hurdler, Willie Mullins’ five-year-old made a sensational start to life over fences at Navan on Sunday. Foot perfect throughout, he attacked his fences with real conviction en route to a stylish 11 length victory over a race-fit rival. His trainer said after the race: “He is a very natural jumper at home and he did the same here. I thought it was a good performance for a first-time-out novice. He's as good a novice as I've seen schooling at home."
A beautiful round of jumping from Champion Hurdle fourth Footpad who wins on his chase debut in fine style at @NavanRacecourse: pic.twitter.com/OxjGW11nY4
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 12, 2017
Oddschecker punters and bookies were clearly impressed with some firms cutting him into as short as 8/1 market leader for the Arkle in March. However, Mullins also refused to rule out the possibility of stepping up in trip at some point in the future leading to some firms going as short as 8/1 for the JLT (best price 14/1).
Might Bite – 14.8%
This fella is a bit special. Nicky Henderson’s star novice last season made his seasonal reappearance at Sandown on Sunday and was imperious throughout as he outclassed his rivals in taking fashion. Sunday’s performance was full of swagger and verve and the scary thing is that connections had said he will would come on for the run! Trimmed into as short as 5/1 with one firm for the Gold Cup in March, he’s a general 8/1 shot with most firms. However, it’s the King George at Kempton in December that looks tailor made for the eight-year-old and he’s now just 7/4 with one firm (best price 3/1).
Next Destination – 4.25%
A smart bumper horse for Willie Mullins last season, the five-year-old marked his debut over hurdles with a commanding performance in what on paper looked one of the smartest novice hurdles of the season so far. Such was the strength of the race he was sent off the 4/1 third favourite but made a mockery of that price by storming home up the run-in to win by some 13 lengths. With those in behind including the likes of Someday, Paloma Blue and Pallasator, the manor of the victory was all the more impressive. Cut for all three of the novice events off the back of Saturday’s win, it’s the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle where he is now the shortest price at just 10/1 in places (best price 14/1).
Mengli Khan – 2.6%
The first leg of a Graded treble for trainer Gordon Elliott at Navan on Sunday, the imposing four-year-old was a four length winner over fellow flat recruit Stratum. Now 2/2 this season, the Gigginstown-owned colt oozed class has he travelled strongly throughout the two mile contest before extending clear up the run-in under a motionless Jack Kennedy. 40/1 before the weekend, his victory saw one bookmaker slash his odds to just 18/1 for the Supreme (best price 25/1).
Impressive from Mengli Khan - travelling strongly and jumping fluently - he bolts up in the For Auction Novice Hurdle at @NavanRacecourse: pic.twitter.com/SPfcUdl6KI
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 12, 2017
