Oddschecker takes an early look at the first race of Cheltenham Festival
The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle looks wide open this year and plenty at the front of the betting have decent claims.
Shiskin shot to the top of the market when destroying his rivals at Newbury in an 11 length romp. He clocked a seriously impressive time figure and made amends having fallen at the same track the month before.
Having been 33/1 before the race, he was instantly cut into 10/1 and has now shortened even further into the best price of 4/1.
Nicky Henderson looks to have a very smart type on his hands and he commands respect at the top of the market.
With Envoi Allen likely to go to the Ballymore, Abacadabras looks like Gordon Elliott’s strongest hand and the main Irish danger. His performance at the Christmas meeting at Leopardstown confirmed his immense talent.
His second behind Envoi Allen and three-length victory ahead of Latest Exhibition read very well and plenty of the Irish will be hoping he can get their festival off to a flyer. He is the best price of 5/1, with some firms going as short as 3/1 on the six-year-old.
Fiddlerontheroof put his name in the hat after bolting up in the Tolworth at Sandown earlier this month. Colin Tizzard rates his six-year-old very highly. He likes some ease in the ground, so should it come up soft on an opening day at Cheltenham, Fiddlerontheroof is likely to be very well supported.
He was 33/1 before his Tolworth success but is now as short as 5/1, with 8/1 still available on this exciting novice hurdler. He has plenty of speed and his turn of foot must make those on at big prices very excited for his chances come March.
It is hard to split these three very talented horses. The market is currently siding towards Shiskin, however, with only two runs so far this season, some may look for a more experienced campaigner. Both Abacadbras and Fidderontheroof have run four times this season and have leading claims to land the opener at Cheltenham. The later will relish the ground should it turn soft and Abacadbras will be looking to emulate Klassical Dream last year and get the Irish off to a winning start.
