Serial-winning Cheltenham Festival horse halves in odds amid rumours of big-money buy
A SERIAL-WINNING Cheltenham Festival horse has halved in odds amid rumours of a big-money buy.
Seven-year-old gelding Willitgoahead has won four of his past five races for Irish trainer Sean Thomas Doyle.
He was last seen disposing of the ex-Willie Mullins-trained Festival regular Ramillies by three lengths in a Hunters’ Chase at Thurles in Ireland last month.
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The ‘impressive’ winner was eased down over the line and was quickly put up as a 14-1 tip for the Foxhunters by racing legend Jamie Codd.
The ex-jockey, who has a reputation for putting up Festival winners at a price, said: “I thought Willitgoahead bolted up in the Hunter Chase at Thurles and I’d love a bit of 14-1 about him for the big one at Cheltenham.
“He’s an up-and-coming horse in the division, and I think he’ll be really suited by a bigger field, stronger pace and nicer ground at the Festival.”
Those odds have more than halved since and he is as short as 5-1 to win the penultimate race of next month’s meeting.
Punters can expect that price to contract shorter if his rumoured new owner is confirmed as part of tomorrow’s entries.
He already has half the favourites for Cheltenham, but whispers suggest billionaire Irish racing supremo JP McManus has dipped into his pockets for Willitgoahead.
Although nothing has been confirmed yet, McManus – who bought Turners Novices’ Hurdle second-fav The New Lion – already owns market leader Its On The Line, who finished second in the Hunters’ Chase last year.
Sent off 11-8 fav under Derek O’Connor, the Emmet Mullins-trained runner was pipped three-quarters of a length by 8-1 Sine Nomine.
Its On The Line is a best-price 7-2 to go one better this year, the same price as Angels Dawn with some firms.
The race could have some real star power if Lift Me Up runs.
Owned by former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell and F1 boss husband Christian Horner, the pair went crazy celebrating his win at Warwick last month.
Lift Me Up is as short as 20-1 for Festival glory.
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