Gigginstown pair odds-on for festival glory following confirmation

Big races await at Ballymore and Cheltenham

Gigginstown House have confirmed that Samcro will be riding in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, and that his stablemate – Apple’s Jade – will appear in the Mares’ Hurdle.

And that announcement has seen Coral’s trading team price up both horses as odds-on favourites for their respective races.

Samcro is 8/11 to win the Novices’ Hurdle, making the six-year-old market leader by some distance.

On the Blind Side is next best at 5/1. Meanwhile, Next Destination and Getabird are available at 6/1 apiece.

In the Mares’ Hurdle, Apple’s Jade is 8/13, with her only likely challenger Willie Mullins’ Let’s Dance at 11/2.

Meanwhile, in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, it’s a more open field. Getabird is 2/1 favourite, but there are four horses available at 10/1 or lower.

“Gigginstown’s confirmation that Samcro will run in the Ballymore, and Apple’s Jade will not take on the boys in the Stayers’ Hurdle provides further clarity to the Festival ante-post picture, with both runners sure to be regarded as banker bets by many punters next month,” said Coral’s David Stevens.

**Coral Cheltenham festival odds

**Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle

8/11 Samcro, 5/1 On The Blind Side, 6/1 Next Destination, 6/1 Getabird, 10/1 bar