Runners inspect the first fence in The Coral Welsh National at Chepstow racecourse on December 27, 2011 in Chepstow, Wales. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images) (credit: Will Palmer)
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The betting for the 2012 Cheltenham Festival is really beginning to take shape and the war between punters and the nation's leading bookmakers is 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 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 Stan James 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.”
