We've taken a look at the horses being backed in ahead of the opening day.
There’s been plenty of market movers overnight, and there will be plenty more as tipsters start putting up their selections. We’ve had a look at every race on day one of the Cheltenham Festival and have looked which horses have had their odds clipped by the bookmakers overnight.
Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
Abacadabras can still be backed at 11/2 with a couple of bookmakers on Oddschecker, but the Gordon Elliott horse was available to be backed at 13/2 before you went to sleep last night. One bookmaker has even gone as short as 7/2 for Abacadabras to win the Festival owner, which places the six-year-old second-favourite behind Shishkin.
Another horse which has been cut by the bookmakers overnight is Elixir D’ainay, the Willie Mullins horse has been popular in the betting this week and the bookmakers have reacted to this support. Bookmakers were 25/1 on the six-year-old last night, however, the best price on Oddschecker is now 20/1, and is as short as 14/1 with a handful of bookmakers.
Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase
The money is coming for Put The Kettle On in the Arkle, and two bookmakers have even gone as short as 12/1 on the Henry De Bromhead runner. She was 20/1 for the Arkle last night, however the best price on Oddschecker is now 16/1. There was been considerable support coming from Ireland for this horse, so that 16/1 might shorten even further this morning.
Ultima Handicap Chase
The Conditional is now challenging Vinndication for favouritism in the Ultima. Vinndication still heads the market with the majority of bookmakers at 7/1, however a few bookies have slashed The Conditional into 7/1 as well. David Bridgewater’s horse was available at 9/1 last night, and is now best price 15/2.
Another horse who has seen plenty of support in the market is Cepage. Cepage was tipped by Oddschecker mainly due to an impressive outing at Cheltenham in January. Cepage is 16/1 with the majority of bookmakers on Oddschecker despite being 20/1 yesterday.
Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy
Finally there’s been some support for the favourite in the Champion Hurdle. Epatante has been cut to as short as 5/2 after being 7/2 with some firms last night. 11/4 is still available with a few bookmakers on Oddschecker, but the blue on the girds makes you think this pice won’t be around for much longer. Pentland Hills has moved the other way in the market, he’s now drifted to 8/1 in the market.
Call Me Lord is another who has been strong in the market, he’s been nudged in from 25/1 to 18/1, with a few firms going 14/1.
Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle
There hasn’t been a great deal of movement in the Mares' Hurdle, the only noticeable price change has been the firming of Benie Des Dieux. Willie Mullins’ horse has shortened from 4/6 to 4/7 with most firms on Oddschecker. A couple of bookmakers still have Benie at 8/13.
Northern Trust Company Novices’ Handicap Chase
There’s been a couple of interesting movements in this market, the first one is Espoir De Guye who has shortened from 11/1 to 15/2 for the Northern Trust. Espoir De Guye is now third favourite for the race, and is as short as 6/1 with one bookmaker.
The other horse in the race which has been supported overnight is Whatmore. Whatmore was available to be backed at 28/1 last night, but is now just 20/1 with some firms even going 14/1.
National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Riders’ Novices’ Chase
Similar to the Northern Trust, a couple of bigger priced runners have seen a little bit of support overnight. Lord De Mesnil has moved into second-favourite behind the much fancied Carefully Selected. The seven-year-old was 15/2 last night, but is now as short as 5/1 for the last race on day one of the Festival. One bookmaker has remained at 6/1, but that price might disappear pretty quickly.
Lamanver Pippin has also seen a bit of support in the market, he reached 25/1 last night, but has since come back into 18/1, and is even as short as 11/1 with one bookmaker on Oddschecker.
*Below are a selection of links to help you navigate around all of our Horse Racing Tips content:
| Horse Racing Tips | Cheltenham Tips |
| Grand National Tips | Cheltenham Free Bets |
