Cheltenham Festival Handicap Weights Impact On Antepost Markets

Tuesday 25th February saw the weights released for the twelve handicaps that take place at the Cheltenham Festival over the four day jumps racing extravaganza.

While there is always plenty of attention on Cheltenham Gold Cup odds, the main focus this week has been on the handicaps and which horses are ‘well in’ and which have been treated harshly by the handicapper.

Our markets were quick to react to the possible line-ups of each race, with punters rapidly hunting down the value prices, especially those people who enjoy an each-way bet. Let’s look through the ante-post movements on each of the twelve races:

Champions Day – Tuesday 11th March

Ultima Handicap Chase

Joe Tizzard’s The Changing Man (6/1) has seen plenty of support in the market since his handy weight of just 10-11 was announced.

Recent scorer Katate Dori moves into 8/1 after being handed a handicap mark of 10-8.

Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

Stencil (5/1) 11-7, Total Look (6/1) 11-4 and Willy de Houelle (7/1) 11-12  head a wide open betting market for the Fred Winter Juvenile.

Punters are finding this youngster’s race a very hard puzzle to crack.

National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Chase

Now Is The Hour (11-8) is solid a 7/2 shot to give Gavin Cromwell his first winner of the week in the Novices’ Handicap Chase.

Haiti Couleurs (11-4) continues to hold solid at 9/2 and could well challenge for favouritism soon.

Style Wednesday – Wednesday 12th March

Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle

If Kopeck de Mee (5/1) is given the green light to run in this contest then Willie Mullins’ runner will have just 10-6 to carry.

The handicapper is taking no chances with Langer Dan (20/1) this year and has allocated him top weight of 12-0.

Cross Country Chase

Stumptown (9/4) still gets the nod from the ante-post punters after being saddled with the inevitable top-weight, while x-country veteran Galvin (11/2) marginally gets away with 11-7.

Grand Annual Handicap Chase

Libberty Hunter (6/1) has been favourably treated on 11-6, with solid performers Edwardstone (16/1) and JPR (16/1) having to concede a good few pounds to the rest of the field.

St Patrick’s Thursday – Thursday 13th March

Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase

10-11 for Jagwar (4/1) is just the ticket for the JP McManus runner say his supporters and the money still comes for him.

Asian Master (11-2) has been a hot horse for the last few days and has been trimmed down to 8/1 in our betting.

Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle

Popular picks The Wallpark (5/1) and Gwennie May Boy (10/1) have both been given first and second weights respectively.

Recent Wetherby winner and veteran performer – West To The Bridge (33/1) looks a nicely treated longshot.

Trustatrader Plate Handicap Chase

With many in this field doubly engaged, it’s almost impossible to guess who will be heading the handicap, or even taking part. As things stand it’s former Graded winner Conflated (25/1).

Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase

Popular all day off just 11-1 has been Midnight Our Fred who is now a 10/1 shot for this amateur riders race.

Sa Majeste (7/1) still leads the way off his 11-11 mark.

Gold Cup Day – Friday 14th March

William Hill County Handicap Hurdle

The race assessor appears to have given Absurde (6/1) a stonking chance of landing the  William Hill sponsored County Hurdle with 11-6.

Leading hopes Kopeck de Mee (6/1) and McLaurey (6/1) both carry 10-10 and are still featuring heavily in multi-bets.

Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle

Kopeck de Mee (4/1) fans seem to feel that the Martin Pipe will be his intended target and our traders have adjusted his price accordingly. He gets into the race off 11-3, with the top weights carrying 11-12.

*Odds correct at the time of writing – subject to change*