We look at which horses have been popular with Oddschecker punters over the last 90 days
Footpad – 38.56% of all ante-post bets on the market
A classy hurdler who finished fourth in last season’s Champion Hurdle, he’s proven a revelation over fences for Willie Mullins this season winning both starts by 11 lengths including a Grade 1 at Leopardsdown on Boxing day. Electric over the larger obstacles to date, the six-year-old has yet to come off the bridle with his master trainer suitable impressed when declaring his chase debut "As good a performance first time over fences I've seen by a novice." 16/1 in the ante-post market before he burst on to the novice chasing scene, his two wins have seen bookies go as short as 5/4 for the Festival in March with many already considering him a Festival banker.
What a talent - Footpad wins the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase! @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/2BKzo0ch0x
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 26, 2017
Petit Mouchoir – 13.37%
One place ahead of Footpad in the Champion Hurdle, the Henry de Bromhead seven-year-old impressed plenty on his first start over fences, beating Brelade seven lengths (since beaten 11 lengths by Footpad). A two-time Grade 1 winner over the smaller obstacles, he suffered a setback following that Punchestown performance and is set for his comeback run in the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown on the first weekend of February. Cut into as short as 8/1 following his first run of the season, he’s remained solid at that price since with 10/1 available in places.
The headline act lives up to his billing - two-time Grade 1 winner Petit Mouchoir puts in a fine round on chase debut at @punchestownrace: pic.twitter.com/029e7pTTpn
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 18, 2017
Sceau Royal – 12.86%
The second of the two market principles for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, Alan King’s six-year-old is three from four since sent chasing this season, including an 11 length demolition in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown in early December. Another who featured in last season’s Champion Hurdle, finishing sixth, his next target looks to be the Lightning Novices’ Chase at Doncaster later this month. As big as 20/1 before his Grade 1 victory, the manner of that victory forced bookmakers to slash his odds into as short as 4/1 (best price 7/1).
Sceau Royal proves his class and wins the Henry VIII Novices' Chase. pic.twitter.com/nxBC83iHoO
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) December 9, 2017
North Hill Harvey – 7.36%
The only horse to beat Sceau Royal over fences, he was also beaten 11 lengths by the same horse just over a month later. Dan Skelton’s seven-year-old boasts a terrific Cheltenham record with four wins from six starts at the Prestbury Park venue with his only two defeats coming at the 2016 and 17 Festivals. Impressive on both his starts there this season, he’s always been highly regarded by connections and his strong course form means he surely can’t be discounted despite his latest effort. 25/1 at the start of the season, he’s now as short as 12’s with one bookmaker but generally available at best price 16/1.
Brain Power – 7.26%
When Nicky Henderson says “He’s very good and a huge talent” it’s usually wise to take note. Another who was smart over hurdles and was eighth in last season’s Champion Hurdle (anyone spotting a trend here?), he was uber impressive when winning an admittedly weakish looking Novice Chase on debut. Thrown into Grade 1 company on his next start, he looked beaten when unseating at the last in the race won by Sceau Royal. Entered in next weekend’s Grade 1 Clarence House Chase, connections will be hoping he is none the worse for his blunder last time out in a race where he is currently fourth favourite in the ante-post betting. If he were to take his place in that field, a strong showing against more experienced rivals will surely see the 14/1 available disappear with some bookies already only offering 7/1.
