With the Christmas period just around the corner it means there’s lots of presents for Horse Racing fans as many of the top NH trainers run their best horses with lots of Graded Races up for grabs in both England and Ireland.
Without question Cheltenham Festival is the pinnacle of National Hunt Racing so this period gives trainers a chance to put their top horses on show to see what the best long term targets are for each one come March time. In today’s blog we will look to give you some pointers on the Antepost markets for a few of the top races.
Willie Mullins has the current Ante Post Favourite for The Supreme Novice Hurdle in Salvator Mundi who looks an exciting Novice prospect for the Irish maestro. This four year old hasn’t been since winning a Tipperary Novice Hurdle in May but won in a canter by a phenomenal 62 lengths! Obviously we will know a bit more about the horse come 27th December when he steps up in class, he is entered for the Future Champions Grade One at Leopeardstown and is 7/4 at present.
Betting for the Cheltenham Supreme Novice Hurdle:
American Betting Sites: Salvator Mundi 17/2, Jeroboam Machin 16/1, Redemption Day 16/1, Jasmin De Vaux 16/1 and 20/1 Bar.
Betting Sites That Accept Credit Cards: Salvator Mundi 8/1, Jeroboam Machin 14/1, Redemption Day 16/1, Jasmin De Vaux 18/1 and 20/1 Bar.
The next race we will look at is the Champions Hurdle. This Grade one race is the highlight of the first day of Cheltenham but with many “if and buts” it makes a great market for punters to get some value as long as their selection turns up for the big day.
Heading the market is Lossiemouth, another one of Mullins battalions. This five year old mare is a two consecutive years course winner having won the Triumph Hurdle in 2023 and Mare Hurdle this year (2024) respectively. She has a terrific win ratio with winning 90% of her races getting beat on one occasion in ten races, winning more recently in the Hattons Grace Hurdle on the bridle albeit getting a 7lb weight allowance from her nearest rival. This will be the case again come the Champion Hurdle so she will be very popular amongst punters.
Next in the market is the extremely talented Constitution Hill for Nicky Henderson this now 7yr old hasn’t been seen on the racecourse since winning the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle in 2023. Some will question the way Nicky Henderson has trained him as he’s been extremely cautious missing numerous comeback runs for various reasons which has frustrated punters who want to see him return and try to maintain his 100% winning record winning all eight of his races for the Seven Barrows trainer.
His eagerly anticipated comeback is due to be the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle where the market for the big race at Cheltenham will change depending on his performance.
Third in the betting for the Champion Hurdle is another one from the Mullins stable in State Man. This French recruit is the same age as Constitution Hill, but these two talented hurdlers haven’t been seen against one another since the Champion Hurdle in 2023 when the latter beat State Man by 9 lengths.
State Man has had one run so far this season, narrowly losing to a talented mare (Brighterdaysahead) but will no doubt look to get back to winning ways in the Neville Hotel Grade 1 race over New Year.
Current Betting for the Festival first day show piece is:
Non UKGC Casinos: Lossiemouth 7/4, Constitution Hill 3/1, State Man 5/1, Sir Gino 10/1 and 16/1 Bar.
Gambling Sites Without Verification: Lossiemouth 7/4, Constitution Hill 11/4, State Man 9/2, Sir Gino 10/1 and 16/1 Bar.
We wish you the best of luck with whatever way you play and have a Great Christmas.
