Christmas turkeys lead bookmakers to go non-runner no bet on Cheltenham

A succession of shock results over Christmas and the uncertainty they inflicted on the Cheltenham Festival markets has led three leading bookmakers to take the unprecedented step of offering non-runner no bet on the five biggest races.

Historically bookmakers have resisted offering the concession until much nearer the four-day March meeting – one of the biggest betting events of the year – when running plans are clearer.

But a sequence of upsets at Leopardstown, where superstar hurdler Faugheen, pulled up at 1-6, was one of a host of reverses endured by Willie Mullins, who also lost Nichols Canyon to a fatal injury, saw Min disqualified, and Djakadam and Yorkhill flop, while Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Sizing John finished seventh of eight, has led to a rethink.

In a bid to stimulate interest in festival markets bet365, Paddy Power and Betfair Sportsbook on Tuesday went non-runner no bet on the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup, Unibet Champion Hurdle, Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle and Ryanair Chase.

Bet365 spokesman Pat Cooney said: "We've had many requests to go non-runner no bet on these races and feel it makes sense to offer it from now on. The markets do look confusing, with so many horses having uncertain targets.

“It's the earliest we've gone on these five races – we usually offer it from early February, with the remaining festival races at the end of that month.

“The jumps season revolves entirely around the Cheltenham Festival in terms of discussion nowadays, but at this stage of the season we have relatively low levels of turnover, with trainers keen to keep their options open, which is understandable.”

He added: “Non-runner no bet is a more attractive betting option on these races and, in addition, we are best odds guaranteed on these races, so punters can take current odds knowing they'll be paid out at SP if greater. We now expect to be a lot busier on these races.”

Paddy Power and Betfair Sportsbook, now part of the same group, did likewise.

Spokesman Paul Binfield said: “We’ve never known a fixture like Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting to throw up so many more questions than answers, so the new year seemed like a good time to give ante-post punters a helping hand. At least they’ll get their hard-earned back in these races if their fancies don’t line up.

“The Gold Cup is a complex picture, and you need a degree in veterinary science when studying the Champion Hurdle. We've included the Ryanair in the non-runner no bet offer as it’s a race improving in quality.”

Binfield added: “We would normally go non-runner no bet on the championship races around the middle of the month, so it’s earlier than usual in what is an unusual season. It’s good for punters and throws momentum into the markets.”

Double Shuffle (right): heads to the Gold Cup after finishing second in the King GeorgeCredit: Alan Crowhurst

King George VI Chase winner Might Bite heads the Gold Cup markets at a top-priced 4-1 with Coral and received confirmation of his status with a new official handicap rating of 169, a rise of 4lb.

Runner-up Double Shuffle has been raised 15lb to 166, 1lb below Bristol De Mai and Thistlecrack – dropped 6lb and 3lb respectively –but he can be backed a 50-1 with Betfair Sportsbook, the same odds he returned when a length behind Might Bite at Kempton.

Trainer Tom George is set to prepare Double Shuffle for the Gold Cup and could look at a graduation chase back at Kempton next month as a stepping stone.

"I've been quite intrigued by people's reaction to Double Shuffle's performance," said George on Tuesday. "Either Might Bite ran to a mark of 152 and the rest 145, or he has run to a mark of what he is, which is what the handicapper thinks, and I believe is correct.

"It wasn't like he picked up the pieces over a lot of tired horses. He was in the first four all the way. Tea For Two [third, rated 164] was a solid benchmark.

"Physically he has improved enormously. He used to be a shell of a horse and very highly strung. Since we put a hood on he's become very relaxed and is a different horse for it. He's changed unbelievably – which is a feather in the cap of the people who work for me."

George added: "I weighed him this morning and he's not far back to where he was. He's taken the King George really well and is as fresh as paint.

"He can run in a graduation chase as he's won only two chases, which is probably a good stepping stone. Then Cheltenham and Aintree are the options."

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