Bookies report flood of money for Supreme hope Angels Breath

Where's the money pointing us?

With rain having arrived, more forecast, and the likelihood of soft conditions at the Cheltenham Festival, together with running and riding plans coming together, we asked bookmakers on Friday which horses had come in for support over the past few days. Four names cropped up frequently in their replies.

Angels Breath – Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Tuesday, 4-1 generally from 11-2

It appeared highly unlikely in the immediate aftermath of Al Dancer’s Betfair Hurdle success that he wouldn’t start clear favourite for the Supreme.

However, a flood of money for Angels Breath, whose part-owner Dai Walters also owns Al Dancer, has led to some bookmakers believing their market positions could be reversed.

Nicola McGeady, head of PR for Ladbrokes, said: “The biggest mover this week has probably been Angels Breath, who could well go off favourite at this rate. He is now just 100-30 with us.”

Angels Breath has shortened to 4-1 (from 11-2) with bet365 over the last couple of days, and to 7-2 (from 5) with Coral.

Laurina – Unibet Champion Hurdle, Tuesday, 7-2 generally from 4-1

The main mover in the Champion Hurdle market over the last 48 hours has been Laurina, based on the softening ground.

Laurina: backed to 7-2 from 4-1 for the Champion HurdleCredit: Patrick McCann

Unbeaten in six starts for Willie Mullins, five of which have come on ground officially described as soft, soft/heavy or heavy, she also has an abundance of stamina for the Cheltenham two-mile test.

Coral’s David Stevens said: “Laurina has been popular in the Champion Hurdle market, unsurprising given the change in the going, and is now 7-2 from 4-1.”

McGeady added: “Laurina is another on the soft-ground list who has captured punters’ imagination.”

The mare is now a general 7-2 chance behind Buveur D’Air and Apple’s Jade, who continue their scrap for outright favouritism.

Canardier, Coral Cup, Wednesday, 14-1 generally from 33-1

Support for Canardier has been strong since Barry Geraghty was booked to partner the seven-year-old on Wednesday.

Geraghty was in the saddle when Canardier justified 6-4 favouritism in a Cheltenham novice hurdle in October, and it appears connections have been protecting his mark ever since.

Canardier: dropped from 33-1 to 12-1 after strong support for the Coral CupCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Canardier was as low as 12-1 with Paddy Power, BoyleSports and Betfair Sportsbook on Friday, having been available at 33-1 with William Hill on Thursday evening.

Canardier, who on Friday evening could still be backed at 20-1 with Hills, would not necessarily be suited by much ease in the ground, unlike others to have been supported heavily in recent days.

Native River, Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup, Friday, 5-1 generally from 6-1

The title holder’s chances have been enhanced by the rain and most bookmakers report considerable support for the Colin Tizzard-trained stayer.

Rupert Adams, spokesman for Hills, said: “There was a massive Native River gamble on Thursday and we shortened his price from 11-2 to 9-2.”

Native River has been given a light campaign in the build-up to the defence of his crown, finishing second in the Betfair Chase, then third in the the King George VI Chase this season.

“The rain can’t be a negative, but it needs to keep raining,” Tizzard said on Thursday. “The more of a stamina test the better it will be.”

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