After all the fantastic racing over a hectic Christmas period the betting for the 2012 Cheltenham Festival is really beginning to take shape and the war with the layers is already underway.
High profile victories for Binocular, Big Zeb and Sprinter Sacre, along with Kauto Star’s spellbinding success in the King George, have caused quite a stir in the ante post betting for the Festival and it is no surprise to see the money arriving for some of jump racing's leading names.
The nation’s biggest bookmakers have made sure that they are taking no chances with King Kauto, but it is Pricewise’s Gold Cup selection Captain Chris that the layers seem to be dodging.
The 2011 Arkle hero has been backed into a best-priced 14/1 at
bet365 following Tom Segal’s ante post tip and after he got his season back on track with a creditable performance on Boxing Day, the support is sure to continue.
One horse that does seem to be taking a walk in the market is 2011 Champion Hurdle winner Hurricane Fly, who is still yet to be seen on a racecourse this season.
The superstar’s trainer Willie Mullins has assured his supporters that all is well with the French import, but we spoke to
StanJames.com spokesman Rory Jiwani and he revealed: "We've eased Hurricane Fly out from 5/2 to a standout 11/4 for our race, the Champion Hurdle. Willie Mullins says he hopes to get his hurdler onto the racecourse by the end of the month but we're preparing for the scenario that he doesn't make it to Cheltenham.
"Ruby Walsh said he'd be happy to take our 11/4, but Hurricane Fly is currently a good result for us with Zarkandar and Binocular the worst results in our book. We'll see if the punters latch on to the undoubted star of the two-mile hurdling division.”
So the countdown to the most prestigious meeting on the calendar continues and with horse racing fanatics looking to sink their teeth into the Festival’s ante post markets, Ladbrokes have now gone non-runner no bet on the week’s four major races.
It means that if you back a horse in the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, World Hurdle or Gold Cup, you’ll get your money back if they don’t line up on the day. Remember, you can also register with Ladbrokes using
Ladbrokes promo code
CHELTENHAM and get your free £50 bet on any of the meeting’s ante post markets.
Ladbrokes 2012 Cheltenham Festival odds
Champion Hurdle
2m, Cheltenham Festival, March 2012
6/4 Hurricane Fly, 5 Grandouet, 10 Zarkandar, 10 Overturn, 10 Spirit Son, 12 Thousand Stars, 12 Rock On Ruby, 14 Binocular, 14 Oscar Whisky, 16 Unaccompanied, 20 Menorah, 25 Oscars Well, 25 Brampour, 25 The Real Article, 33 Topolski , 40 Dandino (1/4 odds 1,2,3)
Queen Mother Champion Chase
2m, Cheltenham Festival, March 2012
3 Sizing Europe, 4 Big Zeb, 7 Finians Rainbow, 10 Captain Chris, 16 Realt Dubh, 20 Captain Cee Bee, 20 Kauto Stone, 20 Gauvain, 25 Medermit (1/4 odds 1,2,3)
Ladbrokes World Hurdle
3m, Cheltenham Festival, March 2012
4/7 Big Buck’s, 6 Oscar Whisky, 7 Thousand Stars, 12 Bobs Worth, 12 Rock On Ruby, 14 Mourad, 14 So Young, 14 Mikael D’Haguenet, 25 Poungach, 25 Fiveforthree, 33 Restless Harry (1/4 odds 1,2,3)
Cheltenham Gold Cup
3m 2f, Cheltenham Festival, March 2012
5/2 Long Run, 12 Kauto Star, 16 Captain Chris, 16 Quito De La Roque, 20 Diamond Harry, 20 Burton Port, 20 Wierd Al, 25 Bostons Angel, 25 Wishfull Thinking, 33 Poquelin, 40 Jessies Dream, 50 Midnight Chase, (1/4 odds 1,2,3)
