Punters are rushing to back both Fistral Beach and Starluck following the booking of AP McCoy to ride both
William Hill are reporting strong cash for two recent Tony McCoy bookings, with the firm cutting Fistral Beach from 6-1 into 11-2 favourite for Saturday’s Racing Post Chase, and Starluck from 20-1 into 16-1 for the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham.
McCoy will be taking over from Ruby Walsh who partnered Fistral Beach in last year’s renewal when the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding departed early in the proceedings.
Alan Fleming surprised some in confirming Starluck for Cheltenham’s Championship two-mile novice chasing event, and the six-year-old, a gallant second to Peddlers Cross in the Fighting Fifth hurdle, is due to make his debut over the bigger obstacles at Huntingdon on Thursday.
Lucy Rhodes, spokeswoman for William Hill, told Bettingpro:
‘Punters are drawn to the McCoy magic like moths to a light bulb, and we’ve seen moves for Fistral Beach and Starluck following the revelation he will be steering the pair in their respective events. Just shows the confidence they have with the Champion Jockey, as the latter hasn’t even jumped a fence in public yet’.
Racing Post Chase: 11-2 Fistral Beach, Nacarat, 7-1 Quinz, 8-1 Bakbenscher, 9-1 Sagalyrique, 10-1 Hey Big Spender, Mostly Bob, 12-1 Razor Royale, Tatenen, 16-1 Polyfast, 20-1 Crescent Island, Matuhi, Piraya, Ringaroses, 25-1 Beat The Boys, Door Boy, Safari Adventures, 33-1 Mount Oscar, 40-1 Free World (EW ¼ odds 1,2,3,4)
Irish Independent Arkle: 4-1 Finians Rainbow, 9-2 Ghizao, Medermit, 10-1 Captain Chris, Realt Dubh, 16-1 Starluck, 20-1 Mikael D’Haguenet, Quel Esprit, 25-1 Dan Breen, Pepe Simo, 28-1 Torpichen, Rock Noir, 33-1 Bellvano, Blazing Tempo, Giorgio Quercus, Killmurry, Nadiya de la Vega, Morning Supreme, Stagecoach Pearl, Surfing, 40-1 Bar (E/W 1/4 1,2,3)
