93% of all bets placed this morning on the Champion Hurdle have been on Samcro.
Samcro is dominating the betting for the Champion Hurdle, following news the six-year-old intends to stay over the smaller obstacles this season.
93% of all bets this morning have been placed on Gordon Elliott’s horse, sending the price tumbling from 4/1 to as short as 5/2.
Winner of the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at this year’s Cheltenham Festival, the six-year-old has an extremely impressive jumps record, unbeaten in seven completed starts.
His future has been of great interest, with connections considering whether or not to switch him to chasing this season. His first test will be in the Grade 2 WKD at Down Royal on Friday.
Elliott told Betfair: “I’ve spoken to Michael and Eddie O’Leary and we’ve decided to keep him over hurdles this season in the hope that he can develop into a Champion Hurdle contender.”
Bookies have responded to the news by cutting odds on Samcro to win the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival next March. As short as 5/2 in places, he’s currently available at a best price of 3/1 ahead of Buveur D’Air, who is next in the market.
Oddschecker spokesperson George Elek: “There’s been a huge amount of interest in Samcro’s future. Over 9/10 of all bets have been placed on the superstar, with quite the precedent being set.”
“After his performance at last year’s festival, punters will be delighted at the prospect of seeing him challenged in a top class field at the Champion Hurdle next March.”
