Le Richebourg punters will be cursing their luck as he is ruled out for the season.
32.1% of bets on the Arkle market since Boxing Day are now losers or void as it’s been confirmed that Le Richebourg will miss the festival.
Trainer Joseph O’Brien broke the news this morning to the peril of ante-post punters that his 3/1 favourite is ruled out for the rest of the season with injury.
His six-year-old was nearly three times as popular as the next most backed horse - Lalor with 13.2% - for the Cheltenham 1m 7f Chase, ever since winning a Grade 1 at Leopardstown over the Christmas period.
The news makes Kayley Woollacott’s Lalor the new slight favourite for the race at 4/1. Meanwhile Mick Channon’s Glen Forsa, who was 40/1 just a few weeks ago, is shortly behind in the betting at 5/1.
Oddschecker spokesperson, George Elek: 'The sound you can hear is ante-post slips around the country being ripped up as one of the Festival favourites has been declared a non-runner.
'Those who are on Glen Forsa at a big price now have one less rival to worry about, and may shorten again from the current 5/1.'
