We look at which horses Oddschecker users have been backing for the Cheltenham Festival in March
Altior 8/11 – Queen Mother Champion Chase
Given the ease of Altior’s victory over the much-fancied Politologue at Newbury this weekend, there’s no surprise that the money has been rolling in for the two-time Cheltenham winner. There were a few concerns surrounding Altior’s return to the track following a wind operation, but they were soon blown away with a four-length victory on testing ground. That victory has led the Nicky-Henderson trained horse to come into odds-on from 11/8 for the Queen Mother Champion Chase with every bookie on Oddschecker.
Punters are very confident he’ll make it thirteen straight wins in a row at Cheltenham, a massive 88% of bets on Champion Chase market have been on Altior since scoring this weekend. The gulf in class between Henderson’s star horse and Politologue was clear to see, the latter has now drifted to 10/1 in the ante-post market.
Doubts lingered over Native River as he made his return to the track in the Denman Chase, however those worries were also put to bed with a 12-length victory over Cloudy Dream. Ruth Jefferson’s eight year-old kept pace with last year’s Denman Chase winner for the majority of the race, but Native River’s class showed in the run-in.
Colin Tizzard’s charge was available at 10/1 before the weekend, but since his victory 77% of bets in the Gold Cup have been on Native River, forcing the price into 13/2.
Kalashnikov 8/1 – Supreme Novices Hurdle
There was sheer delight for young trainer Amy Murphy over the weekend as her five year-old Kalashnikov cruised to victory in the Betfair Hurdle, shooting him into Supreme Novices Hurdle contention.
On Friday, he was available at 20/1 but this price has well and truly disappeared. He’s now best price 8/1 for the Cheltenham opener. Since scoring at the weekend, a massive 61% of bets have been on Murphy’s star possession.
Saint Calvados 15/2 – Arkle Chase
Harry Whittington’s Saint Calvados completed possibly the easiest victory of the weekend, the five year-old blew away an experienced field to land a Novices’ Chase at Warwick at the weekend, winning by 22 lengths.
Saint Calvados has shot into third favourite for the Arkle and can be backed at 15/2, some distance from the 14/1 on offer last week. Since blowing away the field at Warwick, 82% of bets have been on the French horse.
Acey Milan 10/1 – Champion Bumper
Acey Milan was a bit of a surprise winner in the last at Newbury this weekend, beating a couple of strong Cheltenham hopefuls. His victory caught the eye of ante-posat punters, following a significant surge in bets, the odds were slashed from 20/1 to 10/1.
Despite being fourth favourite for the Champion Bumper, Acey Milan has accounted for 54% of bets over the weekend.
