We are now firmly on the run up to the Cheltenham Festival. In less than two months’ time, the iconic concourses at Prestbury Park (pictured above) will be packed to the rafters with punters enjoying the prestigious four-day meeting in person for the first time since the 2020 renewal controversially went ahead amidst growing concerns surrounding the coronavirus outbreak.
It will be fantastic to hear the ‘Cheltenham Roar’ once again this year. But, for the meantime, let’s focus on the top-quality racing itself. There has been a very busy schedule over the festive period and the last couple of weeks, with Cheltenham hopefuls getting in some key preparation ahead of March’s meeting. Of course, that has led to some major changes in the Cheltenham Festival betting odds though.
So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the market movers from over the last couple of weeks. Read on to find out more!
Bob Olinger
Not the biggest of market movers, moving into the odds-on favourite at around 4/6 from 6/4, it is still worth taking a look at Bob Olinger now he is the overwhelming ante-post leader in the Cheltenham racing tips for the Turners Novices Chase on the third day of the Festival. One of Henry de Bromhead’s impressive winners last year, landing the Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle by over seven lengths, the seven-year-old has started this season in fine form — winning a Beginners Chase at Gowran Park on his seasonal reappearance in November before scooping the Grade 3 Kildare Novice Chase at Punchestown earlier this month. The Golden Miller will be a step up, but it should be no issues for Bob Olinger.
Galvin
A major market mover from the festive period, Galvin’s shock victory over A Plus Tard by a shorthead in the Grade 1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown on December 28th resulted in the seven-year-old’s Gold Cup odds being slashed from 16/1 to around 9/2 — leapfrogging the likes of former Gold Cup winners Al Boum Photo and Minella Indo into second in the ante-post market. After that emotional victory, Gordon Elliott has confirmed Galvin will head straight for Cheltenham. There’s no doubt the Gold Cup is a whole different kettle of fish, but the seven-year-old has already beaten A Plus Tard once this year, so who’s to say he can’t do it again.
While we’re on the subject, the Gold Cup market has seen a lot of movement over the last few weeks. Shock King George VI Chase winner, Tornado Flyer, has entered the betting at around 12/1, while defending champion Minella Indo has drifted out to around 8/1 having failed to win in either of his two races so far this season — pulling up in his most recent outing in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day. A Plus Tard retains his spot as the favourite, but not as convincing at 7/2 after failing to beat Galvin in Ireland.
Dysart Dynamo
For years now, Willie Mullins has had a conveyer belt of talent coming out of his esteemed yard in Co. Carlow and that doesn’t look like stopping anytime soon. The favourite to win the Top Trainer award for the fourth successive time, Dysart Dynamo could contribute to the accolade as his odds of winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle have been slashed. Once a 16/1 shot, the six-year-old is now two for two this season after winning a Maiden Hurdle in Cork early last month before landing the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown last weekend. After those dual, 19-length victories, Dysart Dynamo is now a 4/1 shot in the Festival’s opening a race — which is a personal favourite of Mullins, who has won it seven times.
