This lot have been hugely backed in the markets as we edge closer towards Cheltenham.
FAUGHEEN – 11/2 best price for the Stayers Hurdle
The ‘bet of the weekend’ according to Oddschecker punters is for this festival old-timer to shock Paisley Park and become a three-time winner at Cheltenham. Reports that the handlers of the 11-year-old ‘can’t see him beat’ has seen him go as short as 4/1 for Thursday’s champion race.
DUC DES GENIEVRES – 13/2 best price for the Arkle
While there are plenty of big names at the top of the Arkle market, punters have gone for Duc Des Genievres and shortened his odds from 8/1 a few days ago into as short as 5/1 now. With his winning performance at Gowran last month still fresh in the mind, his odds could continue to drop in the coming days.
CHAMP – 3/1 best price for the Ballymore
The long-time Ballymore favourite is continuing to be backed, with Nicky Henderson undoubtedly looking at the seven-year-old as one of his main hopes for festival success. Currently 408 days unbeaten, it could well take a strong performance from another contender to end that streak.
HARDLINE – 12/1 best price for the Arkle
He’s been well backed, but the real challenge when it comes to Hardline is knowing where he will run. Holding entries in the Arkle as well as the RSA (33/1), JLT (20/1), Brown Plate (25/1) and Grand Annual (16/1), it’s hard to know what Gordon Elliott plans for his star. But it is the Arkle that is currently being favoured, where he’s picked up almost a quarter of bets in that particular market alone.
MINELLA ROCCO – 10/1 best price for the Ultima
Finally, second favourite Minella Rocco is getting all the love in what looks a wide-open Ultima. One bookie has chopped the nine-year-old’s odds from 14/1 to 9/1 over the weekend and with two runs under his belt already this season, he could be primed for a real chance on the opening day.
