Ante-post wipe-out: Connections' Apple's Jade comments spell bad news for swathes of punters

A large number of ante-post punters will miss out as Apple’s Jade looks set to go for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

With a massive 59% of bets on the entire Mares’ Hurdle market going on Apple’s Jade since the market opened, this would see bookies pocket a sizeable chunk of the early money on this year’s festival.

Having been odds-on favourite for the race she finished third in last year, ‘Jade’ has now drifted out to 5/2 in places, but remains evens with several bookies.

Gordon Elliott appeared on Racing TV on Sunday morning, telling presenter Nick Luck of his hope that the mare would be aimed at the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham rather than the Mares’.

This comes a day after comments from Gigginstown’s Eddie O’Leary following Saturday’s landmark win at Leopardstown, claiming the Mares’ Hurdle would be the target for Apple’s Jade. Owner Michael then echoed Elliott on Sunday, confirming the Champion Hurdle route.

The seven-year-old made it ten Grade 1 wins with a crushing 16-length victory in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Saturday afternoon.

That saw her price for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham slashed from 12/1 as far as 7/4 in places. Putting her second favourite behind Buveur D’Air (2/1). In the last 24 hours, 74% of bets on that market have gone on Apple’s Jade.

With a number of bookies more recently offering ‘non-runner no bet’ assurances, punters are now happier to pile onto the Champion Hurdle market following Elliott’s comments. However, those that took the early risk on the Mares’ market could be left licking their wounds.

Oddschecker spokesperson George Elek: “The conundrum of which race to back a runner in is a staple of the build-up to Cheltenham Festival, but the case of Apple’s Jade could be particularly costly for shrewd punters.

“After some confusion between Gigginstown and Elliott, the Champion Hurdle is now apparently the aim, meaning the significant amount of early money on the Mares’ Hurdle market could be going down the pan.”