Where Is The Money Going? Cheltenian the big mover for County Hurdle

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is far and away the biggest race on the final day of the Festival, but it is some of the handicaps that are proving the most appealing to punters.

None more so than the County Hurdle, where Cheltenian has been backed into 15/2 from 10/1.

Cheltenian caught the eye on only his fourth hurdles start last time, when lacking a bit of finishing speed to eventually finish fourth in the Betfair Hurdle. He can be expected to come on for this run.

Richard Johnson has also already ridden two handicap winners at this year’s Festival so is in good form, while the fact that Cheltenian landed the Champion Bumper in 2011 goes to show the level of his ability.

It is another Philip Hobbs runner that is being backed in the Martin Pipe Hurdle, with The Skyfarmer shortening from 18/1 into 14/1.

He was on a four-race winning streak on good ground before running below par last time at Ascot, but it may have been the heavy going, rather than a substantial hike in the weights, that was the reason.

The Skyfarmer is still running off 16lb more than when victorious on his handicap debut, but this may not be enough to keep him out of the places.

In the final race of the Festival, Mr Mole is the horse that is gaining support, but Coral are still holding firm on their industry top price of 11/1, so it may be wise for punters to act quickly to take these odds.

His jumping needs to improve to win the Grand Annual, but a strongly run 2m contest where he can be held up and eased into contention could prove ideal for the horse and he has not finishing out of the places on all completed starts in his career.

Coral are additionally offering money back on all horses that fall, unseat their rider or are brought down on the final day of the Festival.