Find out what the fancies are for the feature race on Day One of the Cheltenham Festival.
As the nation gets set for the biggest horse racing event of the year, punters across the UK have been quick to have their say on who they’re backing for glory.
But, are people in Belfast backing the same horse as those in Birmingham? Do London and Liverpool share the same punting tenancies?
Oddschecker compiled a handy list of all you need to know about what each major UK city is backing.
Champion Hurdle
Open to horses aged four or older, the Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt race and acts as the last leg of the Triple Crown of Hurdling.
Taking place on the opening day of the Festival, the prestigious event has produced winners of the ilk such as Istabraq, Hurricane Fly and Annie Power.
Liverpool has decided on Mick Jazz as its choice for the race, with the Gordon Elliot-trained horse the selection on the opening day.
London has gone for Cheltenham staple Faugheen, as he aims to regain his crown this Festival. The 10-year-old was side-lined for almost two years back in 2015.
Glasgow have also opted for Faugheen, despite the ten year-old failing to impress in his last two outings at Leopardstown.
Indicating the city doesn’t just bet blindly on the name of the horse or other such trivialities, Glasgow passed over Yorkhill, which shares the same name as the iconic children’s hospital in the city.
He's another to come into the festival with disappointing Leopardstown form, but despite this, Newcastle and Birmingham have clubbed together, and are backing the same Willie Mullins-trained horse.
Dublin and Belfast on the other hand have backed the big favourite in Buveir Dair. Currently sitting at 1/2, Dubliners and those in Belfast are taking no chances with an outside favourite taking the spoils.
Elsewhere, Edinburgh has plucked for winner of the Dublin Chase at Leopardstown in Min, ante-post bettors are taking advantage of the no-runner-no-bet offer from bookmakers, as the Willie Mullins horse is expected to go for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Manchester rounds off the betting with Mullins' hopeful Melon, who has accumulated 13% of all picks. The six-year-old won the WKD Hurdle, joining elite company in the likes of Jezki, Identity Thief and Monksland.
Full picks:
Glasgow – Faugheen 22%
Edinburgh – Min 20%
London – Faugheen 18%
Dublin - Buveir Dair 14%
Birmingham – Yorkhill 14%
Manchester – Melon 13%
Newcastle – Yorkhill 11%
Liverpool – Mick Jazz 9%
Belfast – Buveir Dair 8%
