With the Cheltenham Festival set to get underway this afternoon, we’ve analysed which horses have been supported the most in the market over the past 24 hours.
The racecourse received 6mm of rain overnight, which has certainly affected the bookmakers’ odds, and the going at the course has officially been changed to soft, heavy in places.
Yet again, it’s gearing up to be a day dominated by Ireland, with Willie Mullins boasting the favourite in five of the seven races as it stands.
But, as the rain continues to fall, the market is changing all the time, and here are the horses that have gained the most traction from punters of late…
Race ONE: Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (race starts at 1.30pm) – Slade Steel (7/1 into 9/2)
The Henry De Bromhead-trained six-year-old has been well-supported of late and comes into the race off the back of three wins in his last five races.
He will have to fend off Mullins’ pair Tullyhill and Mystical Power, but with Rachael Blackmore on board he has every chance.
Race TWO: My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Novices’ Chase (race starts at 2.10pm) – Gaelic Warrior – 4/1 into 2/1
Mullins’ star pick Gaelic Warrior was fairly priced when the market opened, and he’s been slammed in further in recent hours into a firm favourite.
Mullins also runs El Etait Temps and Hunters Yarn, but his best jockey Paul Townend has opted to take the reins on the favourite.
Race THREE: Ultima Handicap Chase (race starts at 2.50pm) – Trelawne (14/1 into 6/1)
The eight-year-old comes into this tricky handicap in good form and has finished in the top three in all of his last five runs.
He loves racing on soft and heavy ground and the recent rain should work in the Kim Bailey-trained horse’s favour.
Race FOUR: Unibet Champion Hurdle (race starts at 3.30pm) – Iberico Lord (16/1 into 10/1)
In a race dominated by one key player in the market, State Man, who sits as the 1/3 favourite as it stands, Iberico Lord might prove excellent each-way value.
The Nicky Henderson horse won at Newbury last time out and is another who will relish the bottomless ground.
Race FIVE: Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (race starts at 4.10pm) – Love Envoi (16/1 into 9/1)
Again, Mullins leads the way with Lossiemouth here, but, she has been drifting in the market thanks to the adverse weather.
Harry Fry’s Love Envoi has been hammered in, she finished behind Lossiemouth last time out, but the conditions may suit more this afternoon.
Race SIX: Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (race starts at 4.50pm) – Milan Tino (8/1 into 5/1)
Jonjo O’Neill will take the ride on Milan Tino, who has run well on his last two runs at Cheltenham.
He’s on a handy looking handicap mark which could see him cross the line in front later today.
Race SEVEN: Maureen Mullins National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Novices’ Chase (race starts at 5.30pm) – Apple Away (20/1 into 5/1)
And the biggest market move is Apple Away in the final race of the day. Lucinda Russell’s horse has moved into 5/1 third favourite after initially being an outsider and will fancy her chances.
Often leading from the front, she has every chance of defeating Mullins’ star Embassy Gardens.
