Hills determined to match Ladbrokes all the way on their Cheltenham Festival prices, with the firm offering non-runner no bet on the four championship races
The Cheltenham ante-post sparring between punters and bookmakers continued in the countdown to the Festival – where with just eight sleeps to go,
William Hill report a number of significant movers.
Big Buck’s – facing his greatest test to date against Grand Crus has been eased again by Hills – who now offer the largest odds sliding his price out to 5-4 from 11-10.
Kate Miller, spokeswoman for William Hill, told Bettingpro: ‘’It would be unfair to say that punters have lost the faith in Big Buck’s, but it does appear their ardour is cooling. Now 5-4, he is the biggest price he has been for the race since April last year.’’
In the Ryanair – Riverside Theatre’s late defection has seen a flurry of bets produced for Irish raider Tranquil Sea – today cut to 11-2 from 6-1, and Ferdy Murphy’s Kalahari King (13-2 from 7-1)
In the Triumph Hurdle, the run for Zarkandar continues and Paul Nicholls’s Adonis winner has now been cut to 6-1 from 7-1, a change that promotes him to the head of the betting alongside long-time favourite Grandouet.
MARKET MOVERS
-HOT-
Champion Hurdle: Khyber Kim 16-1 from 20-1
Ryanair: Tranquil Sea 11-2 from 6-1, Kalahari King 13-2 from 7-1
Queen Mother: Sizing Europe 12-1 from 14-1
The Stewart Family Spinal Research Handicap Chase: Sunnyhillboy 7-1 from 8-1
Triumph Hurdle: Zarkandar 6-1 from 7-1 (now joint-fav with Grandouet)
Fred Winter: Whitby Jack 20-1 from 25-1
Grand Annual: Oh Crick 12-1 from 14-1
Cheltenham Gold Cup: Weird Al 40-1 from 50-1
Byrne Group Plate: Aigle D’Or 12-1 from 16-1
Grand National: Backstage 16-1 from 18-1
-COLD-
World Hurdle: Big Buck’s 5-4 from 11-10 (we are now top-industry price)
