We look at which horses have been popular with Oddschecker punters over the last 90 days
Samcro – 42.14% of all ante-post bets on the market
Unsurprisingly, the 5/4 market leader (best price 2/1) leads the way in terms of bets placed, and by some margin. The unbeaten six-year-old has won his two starts over hurdles by a combined 27 lengths and has been heralded by some as the next jumps superstar. Gigginstown owner Michael O’Leary has done his best to play down the hype surrounding the unbeaten gelding but those attempts have largely fell on deaf ears. A bumper winner who has also won over the minimum trip over hurdles, he’s also not short of stamina having won his only point-to-point start over three miles on heavy ground. The Ballymore should prove the perfect test for him requiring as it does both speed and stamina.
"He's not the next coming of Jesus Christ" - Michael O'Leary on Samcro! @MCYeeehaaa pic.twitter.com/rGsoKiVNIB
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 3, 2017
On The Blind Side – 12.49%
His trainer Nicky Henderson has said the six-year-old is likely to head straight to the Festival after he ‘knocked himself before the Challow Hurdle’. His performance that day had bookmakers cutting his price for success in March further as he took his record to a perfect three wins from three starts. Also a point winner over 3 miles, he’s looked all about stamina during his three successes and he should be staying on strongly up the famous Cheltenham hill if his trainer can get him there in top form. Currently best price 7/1, he is as short as 4/1 with Bet365 who are NRNB.
Next Destination - 11.65%
The first of the Willie Mullins battalion, the six-year-old is unbeaten over hurdles (spotting a trend yet) including Grade 1 success on his latest start. Connections have confirmed this race will be his Festival target and his odds have shortened throughout the season to be as short as 4/1 best price NRNB with 8/1 the best price on offer across the board.
Next Destination wins the Grade 1 @LawlorsNaas Novice Hurdle! @NaasRacecourse pic.twitter.com/GdwGRdS3a1
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 7, 2018
Getabird - 10.56%
Popular in the Supreme betting after his recent Punchestwon victory, there remains some intrigue as to whether connections might be tempted to step him up in trip to tackle the same trip he won over on his first hurdles start. It is notoriously difficult to second guess Mr Mullins, especially when he boasts such a strong team of talented horses that all need placing in the correct races to give he and his owners the best chance of winning as many Festival races as possible. 10/1 stand out with three bookies, the NRNB bunch go best price 5’s, with Paddy’s as short as 4/1. Make of that what you will…
Kalashnikov – 2.97%
Runner-up in the Grade 1 Tolworth earlier this month, Amy Murphy’s five-year-old lost nothing in defeat in conditions the horse didn't relish. Those post-race comments also confirmed a step up in trip was on the cards with the Ballymore looking the most obvious option. A stand out 25/1 with Betfair, he is as short as 14’s elsewhere.
