Favourites win 11 of 14 races at Ludlow and Hexham on 'tough start to the week'

Favourite backers enjoyed a remarkable start to the week with the first nine market leaders in Britain scoring at Ludlow and Hexham on Monday.

A two-and-a-half hour perfect run for favourites was kicked off by 5-2 shot Cup Of Coffee in Hexham's opening 2m handicap hurdle, after which short-priced fancies Into Overdrive (5-6), Bronson In Blue (13-8) and Everyday Champagne (4-7) were all successful.

No winners of the first four races at Ludlow went off at bigger odds than 7-4 shot Midnights Legacy, while the ninth leg provided the closest finish, with 5-4 chance Tide Times hanging on to continue the incredible run by a short head in the Boyne Cup.

Marvellous Monday: how it happened

1.00 Hexham: Cup Of Coffee 5-2F
1.30 Hexham: Into Overdrive 5-6F
1.45 Ludlow: Finest View 6-4F
2.05 Hexham: Bronson In Blue 13-8F
2.20 Ludlow: Brief Ambition 6-5F
2.40 Hexham: Johnson's Blue 5-2F
2.55 Ludlow: Midnights Legacy 7-4F
3.15 Hexham: Everyday Champagne 4-7F
3.30 Ludlow: Tide Turns 5-4F
3.50 Hexham: Hidden Cargo 7-4
4.05 Ludlow: Gran Luna 4-5F
4.40 Ludlow:Hector Javilex 5-6F

The streak was broken in the 3.50 at Hexham, a 3m handicap chase, when narrow second favourite Hidden Cargo (7-4) beat Le Tueur (13-8). The winner was subject to plenty of support throughout the day having been backed in from 11-4 this morning.

The winning favourites theme quickly resumed with 4-5 chance Gran Luna making the score 10-1 to market leaders with a game win in the 2m5f mares' handicap hurdle (4.05) for Nicky Henderson and Hector Javilex scored in the 4.40 for Charlie Longsdon at Ludlow.

There was some relief for the bookmakers in the Hexham finale with 4-1 chance Ruby Island landing the bumper, although at this stage every favourite has been successful at Ludlow following the victory of 5-6 shot Hector Javilex.

'This is a shocker' – bookmakers react to Monday's results

This certainly wasn't the start to the week we had expected, we've definitely had better Mondays than this. To use the old cliche, it's not ideal but it's certainly better than it being a busy Saturday or day of a major festival.
Chad Yeomans, Betway

We just can't catch a break today. With ten favourites coming in so far, results have been absolutely terrible as you'd expect. We had a good weekend, with the Lincoln result being particularly pleasing. However, punters got it all back and more today.
Nicola McGeady, Ladbrokes

As Mondays go, this is a shocker with ten out of 12 favourites winning. The only saving grace is that it's a Monday rather than a Friday or even worse a Saturday. That said, it's safe to say it's a very poor way to start a week and we'll be hoping for a few shocks at Newcastle this evening to try and claw back some of the deficit.
Michael Shinners, Sky Bet

Obviously, it's a losing day but the massive silver lining is that it's a quite Monday and not a busy Saturday.
Barry Orr, Betfair

It has been relentless. Okay, it's only a Monday with Hexham and Ludlow racing, but in some ways that's possibly made it even worse. With just two meetings for punters to focus on, and the majority of favourites winning, we can't recall such a tough start to the week. A couple of market leaders being beaten were much needed, but there's no getting away from it, we're in a deep hole already and can only hope things get better ahead of the weekend.
Tony Kenny, William Hill

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