The Irish send over plenty of runners for the Cheltenham Festival, as they are 8/11 to win the Prestbury Cup they obviously have plenty of leading chances. However, they also send over a host of horses that are relatively unknown to the English punter.
We’ve highlighted the five most backed outsiders from our Irish customers in the last week.
Put the Kettle On 18/1 – Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase
It was surprising Put the Kettle On was declared for the Arkle, however, the money has started to come for Henry De Bromhead’s horse. The six-year-old will be well known in England after beating Al Dancer by a couple of lengths at Cheltenham in November. She’s also scored four wins in Ireland since the start of May 2019.
Irish punters are very keen on Put the Kettle On’s chances, and this has forced the majority of bookmakers to cut her Arkle odds. She was 20/1 yesterday but is now as short as 12/1 with a couple of bookmakers (16/1 is still available).
Theatre Of War 18/1 - Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
Theatre Of War has been a Cheltenham preview night horse, with plenty of Irish guests giving the Gavin Cromwell horse a cracking chance of landing a Festival win. A few more engaged punters might remember this horse from his days on the flat at courses like Ayr for Keith Dalgleish.
The Irish have been very keen on this horse since finishing second to Leagan Gaelige at Leopardstown back in December. Theatre Of War could have been backed at 40/1 in February for Boodles success, however, a few bookmakers are now as short as 12/1. Coral are still 18/1.
Alfa Mix 11/1 – Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle
Alfa Mix is another one who has had a very solid mention on the majority of preview panels in the last week or so. The five-year-old has won twice in Ireland this season, he was last seen finishing second at Navan to Kilfenora in very tricky conditions.
Alfa Mix is the current third-favourite in the Coral Cup market, shrewder punters could have got 25/1 back in January. He’s currently 11/1 with one bookmaker, however, there’s been plenty of support for Dame De Compagnie and others in the race, so Alfa Mix could potentially drift.
Hold The Note 15/2 - Northern Trust Company Novices' Handicap Chase
Hold The Note will be well known to the English punters, he’s placed on two occasions this season including a second to Two For Gold at Warwick.
Mich Channon’s six-year-old is the 15/2 third-favourite for the Northern Trust Handicap Chase and has also been tipped by Andy Holding.
Elixir D’ainay 20/1 - Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle
There’s plenty going on in the Supreme Novices Hurdle. Plenty of horses have excellent claims and bookmakers are offering crazy each-way terms. Irish punters have been very keen on Elix D’ainay’s chances, and it now appears more people have cottoned on to the bet.
Elixir D’ainay is a sea of blue on Oddschecker, despite being 25/1 yesterday the Willie Mullins horse is now as short as 14/1 to win the season opener. He was last seen finishing fifth out of eight at Leopardstown, the run before he finished just over three lengths behind Envoi Allen.
