A shock at Kempton causes odds to swing in Cheltenham Champion Hurdle market.
The Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day afternoon saw a shock result as Verdana Blue stormed in to pip heavy favourite and stablemate Buveur D’Air at the post.
Initially priced as the odds-on favourite to defend the Champion Hurdle title (as short as 4/6) after supremely winning the Fighting Fifth earlier this month, Buveur D’Air has now drifted out to a best price of 7/4.
Meanwhile, Verdana Blue has been slashed from 33/1 into 8/1, and she's had 63% of bets go her way since the win at Kempton.
Currently the second favourite behind Buveur D’Air, Willie Mullins’ Laurina has been clipped in to 4/1 by some bookies, with a best price of 5/1 still available. The likes of Melon (8/1) and Samcro (8/1) remain high up in the market.
Nicky Henderson was expected to be celebrating a winner in the 14:30 at Kempton on Boxing Day, but most punters had piled on that being last year’s Champion Hurdle winner Buveur D’Air. He attracted a massive 69% of bets in the 24 hours leading up to the race, compared to just over 9% for Verdana Blue.
Oddschecker spokesperson George Elek: “Buveur D’Air still very much looks the one to beat in the Champion Hurdle, but today will have got plenty of punters looking at stablemate Verdana Blue very closely after a strong campaign this Winter.”
