Cheltenham Festival tips: The big five market movers punters are backing including one Paul Nicholls horse

ALREADY the money is pouring in for some red-hot Cheltenham Festival fancies. Ante-post betting allows punters to back horses before the race, and with bookies offering non runner no bet deals now, there’s never been a better time to have a flutter before the action begins. Some of the most hotly contested races at Cheltenham […]

ALREADY the money is pouring in for some red-hot Cheltenham Festival fancies.

Ante-post betting allows punters to back horses before the race, and with bookies offering non runner no bet deals now, there’s never been a better time to have a flutter before the action begins.

PA:Press Association

Champ is seeing a surge of market support[/caption]

Some of the most hotly contested races at Cheltenham are the handicap races.

In these, the better horse carries the more weight and a lower rated horse carries less weight.

The idea is to even out the ability with the weight.

Here, we take a look at some horses whose odds have been cut since their weights were revealed.

And we check out one other who punters are pouring money into regardless of weight.

All odds correct at time of writing.

Houx Gris

Day One – March 16
Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
25-1 to 5-1

Paul Nicholls runner has been backed strongly in the market.

Having never finished worse than third in four races in France, the four-year-old moved to 11-time champion trainer Nicholls last December.

He was a well beaten third at Chepstow in January but that gives him a low mark and a low weight he can exploit.

SunSport already tipped him up in our look at the best bets for Day One.

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Happygolucky

Day One – March 16
Ultima Handicap Chase
25-1 to 6-1

This is one of the contests in which British trainers historically do better than their Irish rivals.

That trend can continue with Kim Bailey claiming the prize, with the top trainer looking to have saved Happygolucky for this race in particular.

Champ

Day Four – March 19
Gold Cup
10-1 to 9-2

Who can forget Champ’s simply incredible late surge for the line in the Novices’ Chase last year?

The horse named after AP McCoy will go down in history for providing one of the most jaw-dropping moments in racing history.

But onto this year, and the Nicky Henderson-trained superstar could deliver again – but this time in the Gold Cup.

The 5-2 favourite Al Boum Photo, seeking a third straight win in the race, stands in his way, but don’t rule him out.

Zanza

Day Two – March 17
Grand Annual Handicap Chase
40-1 to 9-1

Philip Hobbs’ runner has benefited from a tidal wave of punter support.

The seven-year-old gelding was a good second behind Dan Skelton superstar Allmankind at Warwick last November before winning later that month at Newbury.

A fall at Cheltenham in December – his last outing – has done little to dissuade backers and he still represents decent value with firms paying five places on this race.

Run Wild Fred

Day Three – March 18
Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap
25-1 to 5-1

Has been trained by Gordon Elliott but will run under the name of Denise Foster following Elliott’s ban.

Any Gigginstown horse – owned by Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary – is worth a check in the market.

And there would be no better place for this seven-year-old to shed his maiden tag over fences than at the Festival.

Two second-place finishes behind the respected Coko Beach and Longhouse Poet in his past two runs show he is ready to win.

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