Fighting Fifth fails to cause ripples in Champion Hurdle market
Bookmaker reaction to top-class action on both sides of the Irish Sea suggests reigning Champion Hurdler Faugheen (7-4) has little to fear from the weekend’s big winners, despite having something to prove following his Morgiana Hurdle defeat.
Saturday’s Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle failed to make a deep impact on the Champion Hurdle market, winner Identity Thief being introduced as big as 33-1 following his game victory.
Last year’s Cheltenham runner-up, Arctic Fire, had a straight-forward looking opportunity in yesterday’s Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse, and delivered with the minimum of fuss.
The win prompted bookmakers to cut him into 8-1, from 12s, though World Hurdle quotes as big as 14-1 and low as 7-1 seem unlikely to rewards punters as Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh both doubted his ability to settle well enough to stay that trip.
No More Heroes didn’t enjoy the best of luck at Cheltenham in March, but his exciting display in the Drinmore earned top billing in the ante-post list for the RSA Chase at next year’s Festival.
Available at 12-1 earlier in the week, he is now no bigger than 6-1 (5-1 clear favourite with many firms). Runner-up Monksland is as short as 12-1 for the JLT Novices’ Chase.
The tight finish to the Royal Bond failed to impress the layers, and the first two home, Long Dog and Bachasson, remain 16-1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, for which stable companion Min, despite not having made his debut for Willie Mullins, is clear favourite, no bigger than 10-1.
Long Dog proved more popular for the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle, cut to 8-1 in a place, 16-1 elsewhere.
Juvenile Hurdler Rashaan is no bigger than 20-1 for the Triumph Hurdle, following his success, though the defeat of Missy Tata (removed from many lists) prompted some firms to cut Footpad to 14-1.
