In the second instalment of Moving Markets, I’m going to take a look at a number of horses whose prices could contract or drift in the Cheltenham Festival markets subsequent of their performances this Saturday. 

LA CONQUIERE - Ascot

BetMGM Warfield Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 

This progressive mare from Jamie Snowden’s yard is unbeaten over hurdles and receives weight in here from other two man market rivals in Nurse Susan and Joyeuse. She has been strong in the market in the lead up to this race having been as big as 9/1 midweek but now sits at the head of the betting at 15/8. 

This seven year old mare could throw her hat into the ring for The Mares Novice Hurdle this weekend and Jamie Snowden has tasted success in this race in 2023 with You Wear It Well and obviously knows what it takes to win this. 

Currently 12/1 for The Mares Novice Hurdle in March and should she put in a good performance against much more experienced rivals at Ascot then that could be a lot shorter after the weekend. 

Verdict: Shortener for Mares Novice Hurdle

JONBON - Ascot

BetMGM Clarence House Chase (Grade 1) 

Poor old Jonbon probably still doesn’t get the credit he deserves for his unbelievable consistency throughout his career having never finished outside the top two on all 25 starts. 

He’s moved out of the shadow of his incredible brother, Douvan but still has many doubters, including me as to whether he is best seen at Cheltenham. There are two races on his radar with regards to the four days in March and it would seem to me that Il Etait Temps has got his number and we could see him contracting Price for one race whilst simultaneously drifting for another. 

Who knows if the change of Jockey can have any positive effect after a couple of slightly lap cluster performances so far this season put following a wind operation and now closer to the end of his career than he is the start, he wouldn’t be one on my radar even should he shorten in markets for a potential step up in trip. 

Verdict: Shortener for The Ryanair 

                Drifter for The Champion Chase 

OLD PARK STAR - Haydock

Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 

Hugely impressive on both his starts over hurdles on whatever metrics you wish to analyse him. He certainly has passed the eye test as well as the fact that he jumps with fluency and the time set by him at Cheltenham was the fastest recorded in that race for the last decade. He performed well on Oddschecker’s own, Andy Holding’s speed figures and I think he will get the better of his main rival, Hurricane Pat. 

There has been talk of him moving up in trip but Act Of Innocence had his bubble burst the last day and Fire Warning has had just the one start and is yet to convince that he himself wants 2m. Nicky Henderson is always reluctant to move horses up in trip with Altior, Shishkin, and Jonbon all being prime examples and finally, the master trainer is never adverse to running novices against each other in The Supreme as he has done with Altior and Buveur D’Air & Comstitution Hill and Jonbon. 

I think he will get the better of Hurricane Pat at Haydock and we could be looking at a new favourite for the first race in March. If you like him now but want to secure the best price possible then, I’d be inclined to do this prior to the race as opposed to after as I can’t see there being any of the 7/1 left come the finish of this.

Verdict: Shortener for Supreme Novice Hurdle

                 Drifter for Turners Novice Hurdle