Willie Mullins' defending champ had been second favourite with punters too.
Willie Mullins confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that 2018 Stayers Hurdle winner Penhill will miss this year’s running, scuppering 12% of Stayers Hurdle bets in the process.
Available at 11/2 before the news broke, the withdrawal has seen Paisley Park sure up his place as the market favourite, with one bookie moving him from 2/1 into 13/8.
He is 9/4 best price (and favourite with the ante-post punters with 55% of total bets), with new second favourite Samcro available at 8/1 best price.
Oddschecker spokesman George Elek: “The market momentum for British trained horses for Cheltenham Festival continues after the disappointing news on Penhill's injury. Paisley Park is one of the most popular bets of the week, and this news further bolsters his chances.”
