The 2017 Cheltenham Festival is rapidly approaching and the latest betting for the key races continues to change.
With a number of key Festival trials now out of the way racing fans continue to get involved in the ante post betting markets ahead of the meeting and the bookmakers continue to take some huge bets on the key races.
Bobs Worth was the favourite for the 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup and the bookmakers were quick to make him favourite for the race after his Hennessy Gold Cup success last year. He’d barely even crossed the line before his odds were slashed and Nicky Henderson’s superstar continues to attract plenty of Gold Cup money.
With Denman and Kauto Star now retired, a whole new set of chasers dominate the head of the betting and a fantastic contest looks in store.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Fly remains the market leader for the 2013 Champion Hurdle and the Irish raider will be looking to regain his crown in the opening day highlight.
Willie Mullins’ stable star didn’t appear to be at his best in the race last year, but connections will be confident that he has returned to form and he looks sure to run a massive race at the head of the market.
With Big Buck’s out of the World Hurdle, few races look as wide open and the betting for the Grade One makes for interesting reading. With Quevega likely to go for the Mares’ Hurdle and with Oscar Whisky failing to see out the World Hurdle trip last year, it looks like we could have an upset on our hands in the staying hurdlers showdown.
The betting for the Queen Mother Champion Chase isn’t quite as open and Nicky Henderson’s Sprinter Sacre looks set to be banker material for the famous race. He is currently odds-on at the head of the betting and it’d be a huge surprise if he doesn’t start the race at incredibly skinny odds.