Cheltenham Festival 2024 NRMB: The traders’ view

With Cheltenham only two months away we asked the William Hill traders for their thoughts on the Festival market movers, horses they are wary of and their worst results in the book.

William Hill are the first bookmaker to offer Non-Runner Money Back (NRMB) on all 28 races at the Festival.

Read on to find out where the money is going in the build up to Cheltenham 2024.

Have you noticed any significant ante-post gambles at this stage?

Momentum is starting to build behind Ballyburn in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. He’s 7/2 from 7/1 and the support hasn’t stopped there. With the Supreme market lacking a real stand out contender, Ballyburn could end up being the Willie Mullins number one.

Which horses have been most popular since you went NRMB?

We’ve laid a fair spread of horses since we went NRMB on January 1st. Probably the two most popular would be Bravemansgame for the Gold Cup and Romeo Coolio for the Champion Bumper. Customers are looking for an each-way angle into the Gold Cup with Galopin Des Champs dominating the current market. There is clearly a strong word for Romeo Coolio who is 8/1 from 12/1 since going NRMB.

Which race have you taken most money on since NRMB?

The Gold Cup by some way. We’ve seen plenty of each-way support for several horses as well as the Evens favourite Galopin Des Champs going in plenty of multiples.

Who has the biggest bet you’ve laid been on?

Salver for the Triumph Hurdle.

Current worst result in the book?

Bravemansgame is the worst result at the moment. We’ve several fair liabilities and I’d imagine they will build up the closer we get to the festival.

Any each-way horses that you fear at this stage?

There aren’t any individual horses we fear at this stage but there could potentially be a few small fields in the novice chases so we’ll be keeping a close watch on the shape of those races.

Any trainers you’d particularly fear if you saw significant money arrive?

We are keen to be on the right side of any Martin Brassil-trained handicappers. He’s hit the crossbar in recent festivals with horses such as An Epic Song and Fastorslow, so anything of a similar profile warrants plenty of respect.

Any notable favourites you’ll be looking to take on if they line up in March?

Allaho in the Ryanair Chase doesn’t look the horse of old, so we’ll be taking him on. Teahupoo is another who looks underpriced given the strength of opposition in the Stayers’ Hurdle.

Most popular Cheltenham treble at this stage?

We’ve seen plenty of trebles for Marine Nationale (Arkle), Gaelic Warrior (Turners) and Galopin Des Champs (Gold Cup). We’ll be keen to get one of those beaten!

Can you give us a Cheltenham Festival Lucky 15?

This may take some imagination at this stage but we’ve four in the handicaps we like. Batman Girac (Boodles), Saint Roi (Grand Annual), An Epic Song (Plate) and Good Time Jonny (Kim Muir).

Check out all the latest NMRB Cheltenham Festival 2024 markets