Cheltenham Festival Betting News
Tuesday 10th - Friday 14th March 2015

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Hurricane Fly cut for Champion Hurdle hat-trick after record-breaking win

Bookies running scared of day one hammering as Un De Sceaux completes fantastic day for Mullins and Walsh

Jan 25 Hurricane Fly is 9-1 (from 12-1) with Coral for a third Champion Hurdle success, after the remarkable gelding won a record fifth Irish Champion Hurdle this afternoon. His old rival Jezki is eased to 6-1 (from 5-1) to retain his Cheltenham crown, while the former’s stablemate Faugheen remains 10-11 favourite for the March showpiece.

Hurricane Fly
© Caroline Norris

On a wonderful day for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh, their Un De Sceaux is evens (from 2-1) favourite for the Racing Post Arkle after a first Grade One victory over fences, meaning the Irish champion trainer has the market leaders in all five of the opening day Cheltenham Festival races Coral are currently betting on.

Faugheen
© Caroline Norris

“Although Hurricane Fly will rightly get the headlines after another record-breaking success, such is the strenght in depth his trainer Willie Mullins has in his yard, he remains only fourth favourite for the Champion Hurdle, although that will not stop him playing his part in what promises to be a terrific renewal of the race,” said Coral’s David Stevens.

“Of more concern to us is the market dominance Mullins currently has over so many Festival races, on day one alone his runners are likely to appear in many thousands of multiple bets, and a Tuesday five-timer for him is the stuff of nightmares for us with just over six weeks until the biggest betting week of the year begins,” added Stevens.

With Irish champion trainer Willie Mullins holding the favourite for all four Grade One races on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, Coral has opened betting on the number of Grade One winners Ireland has. The firm go 5-2 that Ireland has a clean sweep, it’s 5-4 that they win three, while it’s 11-4 for two.

“Willie Mullins has the four biggest bankers of the entire festival on the opening day, and we are bracing for an Irish clean sweep, with Douvan, Un De Sceaux, Faugheen and Annie Power all hot favourites in their respective races,” said Coral’s Nicola McGeady.

“We will praying for at least one of those bankers getting turned over in what is shaping up to be the biggest betting day in the festival’s history,” added McGeady.

Non-Runner No Bet – Cheltenham Festival
All Betfair Customers

**Champion Hurdle
10-11 Faugheen, 3 The New One, 6 Jezki, 9 Hurricane Fly, 12 Annie Power, 20 Arctic Fire, 33 Kitten Rock, Purple Bay, Tiger Roll, Vaniteux, 40 Bar

**Racing Post Arkle Chase
Evens (from 2-1) Un De Sceaux, 6 Vautour, 8 Josses Hill, 10 Ptit Zig, 12 Clarcam, Gilgamboa, 14 Vibrato Valtat, 20 Apache Stronghold, Sgt Reckless, 25 Bar

**Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
9-4 Douvan, 9-2 L’Ami Serge, 8 Alvisio Ville, 16 Jollyallan, Nichols Canyon, Shaneshill, Silver Concorde, Tell Us More, 20 Moon Racer, Vigil,

**David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle
Evs Annie Power, 9-2 Aurore D’Estruval, 7 Glens Melody, 8 Morning Run, 10 Vroum Vroum Mag, 12 Carole’s Spirit, Carrigmoorna Rock, 14 Polly Peachum, Tara Point, 16 Bitofapuzzle, Little King Robin, 20 Bar

**Toby Balding, National Hunt Chase
7-2 Don Poli, 8 Wounded Warrior, 10 The Young Master, 12 Sego Success, 14 Mala Beach, Southfield Theatre, 16 Valseur Lido, Very Wood, Vroum Vroum Mag, 20 Broadway Buffalo, Cause Of Causes, Cogry, The Job Is Right, Thunder And Roses, Val De Ferbet, 25 Bar