We are now just a matter of hours away from hearing that famous Cheltenham roar for the first time as the Supreme Novices Hurdle gets underway at 1.30. Having seen the weather and the ground this morning, punters are beginning to put their money where their mouth is and that is having a major impact on the betting markets.
We’ve got the latest updates from Betfred to bring you which will tell you which horses are hot right now as we steam towards the opener. Those popular horses may be better suited to the ground on the day, and they could deliver you a good start to the Festival.
Here’s the market movers on day one.
Il Etait Temps – 9/2 from 6/1
Inthepocket – 8/1 from 14/1
Two well-fancied horses are making the opener a four-horse race on paper. Facile Vega is still the favourite as things stand but Willie Mullins’ other contender Il Etait Temps has come in from 6/1 to 9/2, making him the second favourite ahead of the off.
Meanwhile, Inthepocket is proving popular, perhaps due to the fact that Rachael Blackmore is on board for Henry De Bromhead. The odds have been cut from 14/1 to 8/1, and that price could become even shorter over the next hour or so.
El Fabiolo – 5/4 from 13/8
The favourite has come in slightly ahead of Jonbon, as the duo of Mullins and Paul Townend look to get off to a winning start. Likely to see more drastic price moves as the race approaches.
Monbeg Genius – 7/1 from 12/1
Fantastikas – 14/1 from 33/1
This wide open race has seen several movers this morning with the most eye-catching duo being Monbeg Genius, who has come in from 12/1 to 7/1 for Jonjo O’Neill and Fantastikas who has shot in from 33/1 to 14/1 for the Twiston-Davies clan. This could be the most open race of the day, and there’s real value to be found if you can pick the winner.
Monbeg Genius (pictured here with Jack) runs in the 2.50 Ultima Handicap Chase.
Jonjo Jr. rides.
📷 @Overthestabled1
Honeysuckle – 5/2 from 7/2
One of the most popular winners on day one would be Honeysuckle with Blackmore on board. She is chasing three wins in a row at the Festival and punters are clearly dreaming of glory, as she has come in slightly, from 7/2 to 5/2.
4.50 - Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
Risk Belle – 11/1 from 14/1
Romancero Le Dun – 33/1 from 40/1
A big field where picking a winner could be tough has seen some slight movement this morning. This race can deliver a big price winner and we’ve seen Risk Belle move in from 14s to 11s, while Romancero Le Dun has shortened slightly, from 40s to 33s. Certainly a market to watch as we get closer to the roar.
5.30 - National Hunt Challenge Cup
Tenzing – 15/2 from 20
Coolvalla – 25 from 66
The final race of day one could produce fireworks and it has seen two of the biggest movers of the day. Tenzing was 20s but is now 15/2 for Mullins as punters get on board while Coolvalla is an each way pick, but has gone from 66/1 to 25s!
Most popular punts of the day
1.30 FACILE VEGA
2.10 JONBON
4.10 MARIE’S ROCK
Intriguingly Constitution Hill doesn’t feature as a popular punt as the odds are seemingly too short to catch the punter’s eye. Instead, the favourite in the opener, Facile Vega will be a hugely popular winner for those racing fans watching on.
*18+ | Be Gamble Aware | Odds subject to change
