Punters hot on Willie Mullins runner as trio vie for Betfair Hurdle favouritism

Irish raider Ciel De Neige is vying for favouritism in the Betfair Hurdle after his odds were cut with the majority of firms this morning.

Seeking to give Willie Mullins a first success in the race, Ciel De Neige (3.35) has joined fellow JP McManus-owned contender Never Adapt and Not So Sleepy at the head of the market at 7-1 (from 8).

There is plenty of 15-2 available about Ciel De Neige, who has yet to win in three starts for Mullins but was an unlucky second at Limerick last time, with Ladbrokes holding firm at the best-priced 8-1.

The Evan Williams-trained Mack The Man is going the other way in the betting with his price out to 10-1 (from 7). Stablemate Quoi De Neuf (12-1 from 14) and Highly Prized (10-1 from 11) have been supported in a fiendishly competitive market.

Acey Milan (1.50) has been one of the best-backed horses of the day for in-form trainer Anthony Honeyball. He has been cut into 4-1 (from 5), with main market rival One For The Team out to 9-2 (from 10-3).

The ground at Newbury remains good, good to soft in places following 1mm of rain overnight, while at Warwick, where the other ITV4 action will take place, the going is good to soft, soft in places.

Warwick's clerk of the course Jane Hedley said: "It's good to soft in the majority out here but we're likely to leave soft in places in the description as it's winter, dead ground. It's set to be a dry day ahead and it's been dry all week."

There is just one non-runner at the two main British meetings, with Adrimel out of the 4.45 at Newbury.

Another key market mover . . .

Global Express 4-1 (from 16)
8.30 Wolverhampton
A huge gamble has developed on Global Express as the four-year-old makes his first start for Norton trainer Tim Fitzgerald in the 1m4f handicap at Wolverhampton. Fitzgerald has only had five Flat winners in the last five years (albeit from a limited amount of runners), but a big run is clearly expected from the former Ed Dunlop-trained seven-race maiden, who wears a first-time tongue-tie after 110 days off.

Did you know you can bet via the Racing Post mobile app/website? Simply sign in with your favourite bookmaker via the Accounts button and then bet direct from our racecards