Mourad: halved in price by some bookmakers to 8-1 for the Coral Cup

  PICTURE: Caroline Norris  

Mourad storms to Coral Cup favouritism

MOURAD was on Wednesday one of the most notable Cheltenham Festival market movers, as the Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old was made favourite across the board for the Coral Cup.

Mourad has not been out of the first two since last summer and was second to War Of Attrition in the Grade 2 Ladbrokes.com Boyne Hurdle at Navan on February 14.

Having been 16-1 on Wednesday morning, Mourad ended the day at half that price with most firms.

Paddy Power,William Hill, VC and Ladbrokes were among the firms who reported money for Mourad.

In the William Hill Trophy, the sponsor cut New Alco to 25-1 (from 33), while Stan James went shorter at 20-1, also from 33.

Hills and VC cut Another Jewel for the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, also next Tuesday, with Hills going 25-1 (from 33) and VC 20-1 (from 33).

In the National Hunt Chase, Abbeybraney was a notable mover, being cut to 9-1 (from 12) by Paddy Power, and also the subject of price cuts with VC, Ladbrokes and Hills.

In the Weatherbys Champion Bumper, Drumbaloo continues to attract support, and was cut to 8-1 (from 10) by Blue Square and Paddy Power.

Tataniano was a mover early on Wednesday for the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase, once it was known he had come out of the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy, but he was not the only Grand Annual plunge as Beggars Cap was cut to 16-1 by Blue Square, Ladbrokes, Hills and Stan James (from 20 or 25).