Cheltenham market movers - including an Emmet Mullins runner now 5-1 from 12-1
Confirmations were made on Monday for the two big handicaps at Cheltenham's November meeting this weekend, the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the Greatwood Hurdle. But who has moved the markets as the fields begin to take shape?
French Dynamite
Paddy Power Gold Cup (2.20 Saturday)
Odds: 4-1 (from 8)
French Dynamite had been vying for favouritism with Stolen Silver and Ga Law before Monday's confirmation stage, after which the Mouse Morris-trained seven-year-old emerged as the clear 5-1 favourite for Cheltenham glory.
He is making his first start outside Ireland having warmed up for this with a comfortable victory over hurdles at Thurles last month and it seems ominous that the sole Irish runner in the field heads the market.
Coole Cody
Paddy Power Gold Cup (2.20 Saturday)
Odds: 12-1 (from 25)
The old favourite has not raced anywhere other than Prestbury Park in almost two years and won this race in 2020, as well as last season's Racing Post Gold Cup and the Plate at the festival.
Coole Cody was a faller when attempting to go back-to-back in this last year and it would be no surprise to see him challenging again after a pipe-opener over hurdles last month.
Dads Lad
Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (2.55 Sunday)
Odds: 5-1 (from 8)
Willie Mullins only sent one runner to Cheltenham's Showcase meeting in October and it was a winner as the unexposed Dads Lad won a handicap chase over two miles.
He must be taken very seriously back over hurdles, where he has an official rating 11lb lower than over fences. He was a notable mover on Monday and is now joint-favourite with most firms.
Thousand Tears
Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (2.55 Sunday)
Odds: 5-1 (from 12)
Any Emmet Mullins runner shortening in the market needs to be taken seriously, and his Thousand Tears has been the biggest mover in the Greatwood field.
After winning twice in 25 starts for John Burke, Thousand Tears made his debut for Mullins when finishing ninth behind the aforementioned Dads Lad at Galway in July. Off the track since then, it would be no surprise to see him improve and land his trainer another valuable prize after The Shunter won this two years ago.
Nina The Terrier
Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (2.55 Sunday)
Odds: 10-1 (from 20)
The biggest market mover among the British contenders for the Greatwood has been the Alan King-trained Nina The Terrier.
The six-year-old mare was a faller in a Listed mares' hurdle at Wetherby las time but her previous start saw her beaten just two and three-quarter lengths by Sonigino – who is battling to be favourite here – and she now benefits from a stone swing at the weights with that rival.
Paddy Power: 4 French Dynamite, 7 Ga Law, Stolen Silver, 10 Il Ridoto, Midnight River, 12 Editeur De Gite, Shakem Up'arry, Nassalam, Coole Cody, 14 bar
Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (2.55 Cheltenham, Sunday)
Unibet: 5 Dads Lad, Sonigino, 6 Thousand Tears, 7 I Like To Move It, 10 West Cork, Teddy Blue, 12 Gin Coco, 14 Severance, 16 bar
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