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Cheltenham Festival Betting Sees Binocular Drift For The Champion Hurdle
Wednesday 04 March 2009 at 10:52
 Cheltenham Festival Betting is heating up with just six days to go until the beginning the Cheltenham Festival and one bookmaker seems to be making a stand against the hot favourite from day one of the Festival.
Binocular Being Opposed By One Bookie
Binocular, as short as even money with several bookmakers to win the Champion Hurdle, is now out to 13/8 with Bet365. Binocular has never won at Cheltenham which is rare for a Champion Hurdle favourite and Bet365 clearly think they can get him beat and have a good start to the Festival. Other bookies obviously still think he is an almost certain winner, SkyBet are offering 12/1 that Binocular wins by more than twelve lengths and they go 14/1 that Binocular wins the next three Champion Hurdles.
Celestial Halo To Make It Two Festival Wins In A Row
It seems if Binocular does fail to get up the famous Cheltenham hill then it will be Celestial Halo, who won at the Festival last year, who takes advantage. Celestial Halo, trained by Paul Nicholls, is 10/1 with Coral and William Hill. With two five year olds heading the betting, Stan James think there will be a repeat of last year with a five year old winner. Stan James offer 8/11 for a five year old winner and evens that there isn't.
Placed Horses Line Up Again
Last year's Champion Hurdle first, second and third are all set to line up again. Katchit, who won the race last year, has been out of sorts so far this season but there is little doubt he is a better horse at Cheltenham. Katchit is 14/1 with Bet365 and Stan James whilst narrow second last year, Osana, is 11/1 with Sportingbet. Punjabi, who finished third having been given too much to do last year, is potential value at 28/1 with Sportingbet.
All Winners Since 2004 Entered
Several other Champion Hurdle winners could also lining up making this race a battle between the newcomers and the old guard. 2007 Winner Sublimity is 16/1 with Bet365, 2006 winner Brave Inca is 33/1 with Bet365 and 2004 and 2005 winner Hardy Eustace is 100/1 with SkyBet.
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