The Cheltenham Festival begins in just over a week's time and with it some of the most popular horses have been revealed by the bookies.
It should be of no surprise that the most backed horse will take part in the biggest race. The Gold Cup. That horse is Galopin Des Champs. According to Ladbrokes the Irish trained ace has attracted more bets than any other so far and currently sits at 6/43 favourite.
Interestingly though the punters don't believe the Irish will have it all their own way. The second most backed horse is Nicky Henderson's Shishkin which has emerged 4/6 favourite for the Ryanair Chase. That event takes place on day three of the festival.
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In third place is Gerri Columbe in the Brown Advisory Novices Chase. The Gordon Elliot trained 7 year-old is now 7/4 for that race following his Grade 1 win at Sandown last month.
Mighty Potter in the Turners Novices' Chase at 5/4 and Lossiemouth (6/4) in the Triumph Hurdle round out the top 5 most backed.
The rest of the top 10 is made up of Jonbon in The Arkle at 11/8. Delta Works is at evens in the Cross Country with Gaillard Du Mesnil coming in at 11/10 in the National Hunt Chase. Oscar Elite is 9th at 10/1 for the Ultima whilst Rouge Vif is backed at 16/1 for the Grand Annual to complete the listings.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “ Cheltenham Festival fever is well and truly in the air and eager punters have been wasting no time in picking out their favourite selections. It comes as no surprise to see Gold Cup favourite Galopin Des Champs topping the list, but there have been a few surprises in the mix including Rouge Vif in the Grand Annual.”
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