The favourite for the Cheltenham highlight could be aimed elsewhere.
Following news that Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Presenting Percy has not been declared for Saturday’s Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park, punters fear that Patrick G Kelly could send his stable star to the Stayers’ Hurdle instead.
The eight-year-old’s only appearance this season was a win over hurdles last month and with under a month to go until the Cheltenham Festival, it would be a huge risk not to give him a run out over the larger obstacles before an attempt at the Gold Cup.
Jockey Davy Russell alluded to that fact after the Gowran Park win, highlighting that the difficulty in getting the horse out over the winter could mean a shot at the Stayers’ instead.
This would mean that the 26% of bets on the Gold Cup since markets opened last year would vanish. Presenting Percy was by far the most backed horse for that race, ahead of last year’s winner Native River (11/2) with 8%.
With many bookmakers now offering ‘Non-Runner No Bet’, more recent ante-post backers should be able to breathe easy. However, that safety net was not introduced when a large amount of early money went the way of the favourite.
Some bookies have reacted by moving their Gold Cup price out to 7/2, while others stand firm at 11/4. Meanwhile, Percy’s price for the Stayers’ Hurdle sits as short as 11/4 with bookies offering NRNB, while the best price without is 12/1.
After winning the RSA Chase at the 2018 Festival, Presenting Percy had been hotly tipped for the Gold Cup all season, opening at 6/1 and shortening as far as 11/4.
Oddschecker spokesperson George Elek: “Presenting Percy has been the punters' Gold Cup pick ever since last year's majestic RSA triumph but has run just once since, and that was over hurdles.
“It would be incredible should Patrick Kelly's stayer line up for the Cheltenham showpiece having not chased in a year.
“A late switch to the Stayers' is on the cards, leaving a large amount of bets dead in the water.”
