It's mover D'Air as Henderson hope is made favourite for Champion Hurdle
Out with the old, in with the new. Punters are ready to ring in 2018 with reigning Champion Hurdle winner Buveur D'Air rather than the 2015 victor Faugheen.
That was the message behind a market move for Buveur D'Air on Tuesday, which led to William Hill, Betway and Betfred all promoting him to favourite, and no bookmaker offering better than 2-1, the Nicky Henderson-trained horse having started the day at 5-2.
Champion Hurdle sponsor Unibet made him market leader at 15-8, while sister bookmaker Stan James went just 6-4.
Faugheen, who turns ten on New Year's Day, drifted to a general 2-1, with 5-2 offered in a place.
Rupert Adams of Hills said: "Buveur D'Air is now significantly a worse result than Faugheen. It has been the weight of money over the last 72 hours that has forced him down to 15-8 from 5-2."
Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: "Faugheen still heads our market at 13-8 but punters on Tuesday forced Buveur D'Air into 15-8 from 9-4."
Coral still have Faugheen favourite at 6-4, spokesman David Stevens saying: "We saw bits and pieces for Buveur D'Air at the start of play today which prompted a cut to 2-1 from 5-2, but the support hasn't been forthcoming all day.
"At this stage, with no negative reports coming through on Faugheen, we're happy to be top price about the reigning champion while keeping the 2015 winner onside."
The other pre-Christmas rush on Tuesday was for Disko in the 32Red King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Having been 20-1 with a few firms in the morning, 14-1 was the biggest come the evening, with Paddy Power quoting just 9-1 (from 14).
Binfield explained: "This was more down to the breaking news he was likely to line up and Sean Flanagan giving him a big-up in an interview, both in the Racing Post."
Nicola McGeady, of Ladbrokes, who went 12-1 (from 16), added: "Disko has been quietly backed for the last few months but punters have today reacted to the positive article in the paper."
32Red King George VI field and latest odds
Unibet Champion Hurdle possibles and prices
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Published on 19 December 2017inNews
Last updated 18:24, 19 December 2017
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