We look at which horses Oddschecker users have been backing for the Cheltenham Festival in March
Laurina - 15.1% of all Cheltenham ante-post bets
The Mares’ Novices Hurdle betting suffered a bit of a shake-up this weekend with the top three in the market all registering victories. Of the trio, it was Willie Mullins’ mare who made the biggest splash with bookies and punters alike. The five-year-old was making just her second start for the Irish champion trainer after landing a Tramore maiden by 15 lengths and added to her growing reputation by demolishing a Grade 3 field by 11 lengths at Fairyhouse. Like so many Mullins novices, she looked a star in the making as she cruised to a facile victory and had bookies cutting her from as big as 9/1 on Saturday morning to a best price 2/1 NRNB (also added at 10/1 NRNB for the Ballymore Novices Hurdle).
Laurina runs out a ready winner of the Grade 3 Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle at @Fairyhouse: pic.twitter.com/oLs7M4FJu4
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 27, 2018
Definitly Red – 12.86%
The winner of Saturday’s Cotswold Chase, he’s no longer flying under the radar when it comes to the Gold Cup picture. Connections are bullish, saying he has a chance in one of the ‘most open’ Gold Cups for a long time and it appears punters agree. Also cut for the Grand National after his strong staying performance at Prestbury Park, he’s into as short as 16/1 for the Festival showpiece having been available at 40/1 before the weekend.
Max Dynamite – 7.2%
Owner Rich Ricci made plenty of headlines on Saturday when discussing the Festival chances of his all-conquering battalion of horses with positive vibes about the likes of Douvan and Faugheen sparking odds movements galore across the ante-post markets. However it was the eight-year-old Flat performer who he picked out as being the dark horse of his team in the Coral Cup. Third in the Melbourne Gold Cup and sixth in the Hong Kong Vase on his two latest starts, Ricci believes he is still ‘well handicapped over hurdles’ and is hopeful he can run a big race if they can get him there ‘in one piece’. Now best price 12/1 NRNB you can get 16’s but without the insurance.
Moulin A Vent – 5.3%
Sunday’s Grade 3 Novice Chase at Naas looked on paper to be full of Festival clues and didn’t disappoint. Jury Duty had been well-touted for the four miler and lost nothing in defeat but it was Noel Meade’s six-year-old who enhanced his credentials in no uncertain terms as he stayed on powerfully for a 4 ½ length success. One of Andy Holding’s five weekend winners, Oddschecker’s racing expert also tipped him up pre-race for the four mile contest and it now looks a sound investment with one firm as short as 10/1 NRNB.
Moulin A Vent rallies late to overtake Jury Duty in the closing stages to win the Grade 3 Woodlands Park 100 Club Novice Chase at @NaasRacecourse: pic.twitter.com/MF5YanoaUy
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 28, 2018
Santini – 4.67%
Now two from two over hurdles for Nicky Henderson, the six-year-old stayed on strongly up the Cheltenham hill in conditions softer than ideal. The front two pulled 30 lengths clear of the rest and with the form of his maiden victory also working out, it looks like team Sevenbarrows have another smart sort on their hands. Saturday’s performance saw him cut in from as big as 20/1 to best price 8/1 NRNB for the Albert Bartlett.
Santini (4-1) digs deep to get the better of Black Op in the Ballymore Classic Novices' Hurdle and is now 2-2 over hurdles. pic.twitter.com/TPoc28t2HV
— CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) January 27, 2018
