We look at which horses Oddschecker users have been backing for the Cheltenham Festival in March
Apples Jade - 15.81% of all Cheltenham ante-post bets
Now pretty much odds-on across the board for the Mares Hurdle, Gordon Elliott’s superstar proved extremely popular this weekend despite not even setting foot on a racetrack.
Last seen winning the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle over 3 miles at Leopardstown (her tenth win from 14 starts), the six year-old also remains prominent in the betting for the Stayers Hurdle.
Cracking Smart – 7.39%
Second beaten a length behind Next Destination in Sunday’s Grade 1 Novices’ Hurdle, that was a step-up from his previous effort when beaten five ½ lengths by the same rival back in December. The six-year-old is now set to head straight for the Festival in March with the Albert Bartlett his intended target after his trainer Gordon Elliott said after the race: "I'm delighted with that run and I'd imagine he'll go straight to Cheltenham for the Albert Bartlett. That looks the race for him.” As big as 16/1 for that race before Sunday, he’s now best price 8/1 and vying for favouritism.
Grade 1 winner in waiting? Next Destination is the headline act in the @LawlorsNaas Novice Hurdle at @NaasRacecourse - live at 1.45pm on At The Races... pic.twitter.com/vvRjfNzreb
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 7, 2018
Next Destination – 6.15%
Still unbeaten over hurdles (three from three), the Willie Mullins’ six-year-old added Grade 1 success to his Grade 2 victory earlier in the season this weekend, despite connections claiming everything that could go against him did. Unfavoured by the slow pace in Sunday’s race, he struggled to settle throughout and found himself at the front sooner than ideal. His jockey Paul Townend was impressed enough with the performance, commenting post race: "He jumped electric and was tough when he needed to be. It got a bit messy but ability got him through. He seems to be improving. He's growing up and getting to know the game." As short as 9/2 for the Albert Bartlett, he is as big as 8/1 joint favourite with other bookies who remain divided on his credentials with some cutting Samcro for the Ballymore Novices Hurdle off the back of Sunday’s showing (Next Destination remains best price 8/1 second favourite).
We Have A Dream – 5.25%
Another Grade 1 weekend winner, Nicky Henderson’s four-year-old showcased his Triumph Hurdle credentials by sprinting clear at Chepstow on Saturday. Three from three since joining Henderson, he’s behind only stablemate Apples Shakira in the Triumph ante post betting at best price 8/1. Jockey Daryl Jacob, who has partnered him on all three occasions, said after the race: “He likes a nice, even gallop, he jumps better when they go a stride quicker but we wanted to teach him something today, winning at the same time. He's got to learn his trade and what happened today was perfect. "He's won nicely enough in the end - we're all very happy with that."
Nicky Henderson trained We Have A Dream wins the Future Champions Finale Juvenile Hurdle at @Chepstow_Racing - Watch live now on @ITV4 pic.twitter.com/4tEFuARu8k
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) January 6, 2018
Supasundae – 3.87%
Another to attract support despite spending the weekend at home, Jessica Harrington’s Coral Cup winner has proven popular with Oddschecker punters in the Stayers Hurdle market. Only just collared by Apples Jade in December’s Christmas Hurdle, he’s expected to line up in in the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on February 3rd as connections aim to have him spot on for the Stayers Hurdle at the Festival in March. 8/1 in places before this weekend, the strong support has seen those odds shorten to just 5/1 in places.
