There are just fifteen days to go before the tape goes up in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, which signals the beginning of the 2010 Cheltenham Festival. Most of the main protagonists have now been wrapped up safe and warm in cotton wool as the final preparations are put in place for the National Hunt extravaganza, but there were a few further betting pointers over the weekend.
2009 Champion Hurdle winner Punjabi finally got his last prep run under his belt, winning for the first time since he won at the Festival twelve months ago, Nicky Henderson's seven-year-old won the Champion Hurdle trial at Kempton on Saturday hard held by twelve lengths leaving jockey Barry Geraghty a difficult decision to make come the 16th March. Ladbrokes clipped in Punjabi to 8/1 for the Champion Hurdle from 12's as a result of this win, with stablemate Zaynar a 7/1 chance with the bookmaker. Zaynar was a beaten favourite last time out at Kelso and stable jockey Geraghty remains unclear as to which will be his choice of ride at the Festival in a fortnight's time. Either way, the odds for the ride he chooses are sure to tumble when the eventual decision is made.
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Elsewhere at Kempton, ante-post favourite for the Triumph Hurdle Mille Chief was declared a non-runner for the Adonis Novices' Hurdle due to lameness and is now a serious doubt for the Festival. Ladbrokes aren't quoting the Nicky Henderson four-year-old for the Triumph, although he is still available to back at odds of 6/1 for the race with other firms. The winner of the race on Saturday in Mille Chief's absense was stablemate Soldatino, who has been backed in to 16/1 from 20/1 with Ladbrokes in the Triumph Hurdle betting.
Over in Ireland, Tranquil Sea got back to winning ways in the Newlands Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday and is now a best price 5/1 shot for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham with Ladbrokes. The Edward O'Grady trained eight-year-old had drifted in the betting after his defeat to Golden Silver at the same track over Christmas but is now clear second favourite behind Poquelin for the two and a half mile contest on day three of the Festival.
Get all the latest betting news and odds for the 2010 Cheltenham Festival.
Irish trainer Wille Mullins sent out some of his Festival hopefuls on the gallops after racing at Leopardstown, with all eyes on last year's Ballymore Novices' Hurdle winner Mikael D'Haguenet, who has not been seen on a racecourse since winning at the Punchestown Festival last May. The six-year-old has entries in the Arkle and the RSA Chase but it's not clear where he'll be racing as yet. Ladbrokes seem to favour the RSA Chase as his destination where he can be backed at odds of 12/1.
Champion Hurdle Odds
7/2 Solwhit
4/1 Go Native
7/1 Zaynar
8/1 Medermit
8/1 Punjabi
8/1 Khyber Kim
14/1 Starluck
14/1 Celestial Halo
20/1 Sublimity
33/1 BAR
Triumph Hurdle Odds
5/1 Alaivan
6/1 Carlito Brigante
7/1 Secant Star
10/1 Advisor
16/1 Soldatino
16/1 Westlin Winds
16/1 Me Voici
20/1 BAR
Ryanair Chase Odds
7/2 Poquelin
5/1 Tranquil Sea
5/1 Barbers Shop
10/1 Schindlers Hunt
10/1 Planet Of Sound
12/1 Jy Vole
14/1 Voy Por Ustedes
16/1 BAR
Odds supplied by Ladbrokes.com.
Posted: Monday, 1st March 2010
Author: Russell Lloyd
Tags: cheltenham festival, champion hurdle, punjabi, ryanair chase, ladbrokes,
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