Sizing Europe is the 2/1 favourite with Blue Square for the Smurfit-Kappa Champion Hurdle after the five-day declaration stage, where 21 horses have stood their ground. There were no great surprises as Henry de Bromhead’s charge was joined by Sublimity and Osana in the declarations, with Hardy Eustace and Al Eile the most notable absences.
Noland heads the market for the Arkle at 9/4 after 17 horses were declared for the two-mile novice event, with market rivals Mahogany Blaze and Tidal Bay both standing their ground in the race.
‘Both Sizing Europe and Noland will be two short-priced favourites that will be hoping to get beaten on the first day of the Festival, though the handicaps on the Tuesday have a very open look to them,’ said Blue Square spokesman George Primarolo.
‘An Accordion has been popular for the William Hill Trophy since the market was formed but it could well be two Irish horses in the shape of Wonderkid and River Liane that do the most damage to the bookies on the first day.’
An Accordion is the 5/1 jolly for the William Hill Trophy, whilst Khyber Kim, Muirhead and Rippling Ring all share favouritism at 7/1 in a tricky looking Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. River Liane - backed at all rates down from 14/1 to 4/1 for the Fred Winter following his recent success at Leopards town - heads the market for that particular event, whilst Tony Martin’s Wonderkid is an 11/4 shot for the bgc Cross Country Handicap Chase.
Cheltenham Festival Prices
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle - Blue Square bet: 7 Khyber Kim, Rippling Ring, Muirhead, 8 Captain Cee Bee, 9 Fiveforthree, Cork All Star, 10 Pigeon Island, Sentry Duty, 12 Forpadydeplasterer, Binocular, Snap Tie, 14 Pasco, Deep Purple, 16 Breedsbreeze, Blue Bajan, 20 Numide, Sophocles, Jered, 25 Majestic Concorde, Punchestowns, Theatre Girl, Five Dream, 33 Mon Michel, Ashkazar, Kalahari King, 40 Quartano, Calgary Bay, Norther Bay, Zebra Crossing, Lemon Silk, 50 Striking Article, The Gloves Are Off, Shazand, Tranquil Sea, Platin Grounds, Best Prospect, 66 Donaldson, Made In Taipan, 100 Dereks, Squadron, 150 Moon Mix, 200 Histoire De Moeurs.¼ 1-2-3
Irish Independent Arkle Chase - Blue Square bet: 9/4 Noland, 7 Mahogany Blaze, Tidal Bay, 9 Clopf, 9 Ring The Boss, 10 Leslingtaylor, Thyne Again, 14 Moon Over Miami, Kruguyrova, 16 French Accordion, 20 Scotsirish, 25 Marodima, 33 Enlightenment, 100 Gardasee, Tramantano, 150 Orpen Wide, 500 Premiership.¼ 1-2-3
Smurfit-Kappa Champion Hurdle - Blue Square bet: 2 Sizing Europe, 5 Sublimity, Osana, 6 Harchibald, 8 Katchit, 16 Catch Me, 20 De Valira, 25 Ebaziyan, Blythe Knight, Straw Bear, Afsoun, 33 Jazz Messenger, 40 Farmer Brown, Bobs Pride, Punjabi, Aitmatov, 66 Kalderon, Salford City, 100 Kawagino, 500 Cybergenic, Contraband.¼ 1-2-3
William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase - Blue Square bet: 5 An Accordion, 10 Ofarel d’Airy, Miko de Beauchene, 12 Fundamentalist, Newbay Prop, 14 Patsy Hall, King Harald, 16 Abragante, New Alco, L’Ami, Monkerhostin, Dun Doire, 20 Mattock Ranger, Fier Normand, Mon Mome, Le Volfoni, 25 Pommeoath, Principe Azzurro, Regal Heights, Whispered Secret, Bob Hall, Joaaci, Limited Edition, The Roney Man, 33 Ollie Magern, Pauillac, Flying Enterprise, Celestial Gold, Back To Bid, 40 Royal Emperor, Lankawi, 50 Aleron, 66 Take The Stand, Big Rob.¼ 1-2-3-4
Bgc Handicap Chase - Blue Square bet: 11/4 Wonderkid, 9/2 Garde Champetre, 5 Heads On the Ground, 12 Freneys Well, Royal Auclair, Le Duc, 16 A New Story, Casadei, Never Compromise, Florida Dream, Ivoire de Beaulieu, 20 Alexanderthegreat, Theatre Knight, Petite Margot, First Down Jets, Kilbeggan Blade, 25 Henrys Pride, Native Jack, Bosham Mill, Innox, Canada Street, 33 Hot ‘n’ Holy, Harrycone Lewis, Juful Tennis, 40 I Hear Thunder, Yann’s, 50 Craven, Finzi, High Tech Made, 66 Pondhill Lad, Mange Tout, Killeaney, 100 King Coal. ¼ 1-2-3-4
Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle - Blue Square bet: 4 River Liane, 6 Crack Away Jack, 7 Chapoturgeon, Grand Schlem, Ashkazar, 9 Metaphoric, 10 Pires, Prince Erik, 12 Harry Tricker, Songe, 14 Hot Diamond, Prideus, Siege Of Ennis, Free World, 16 Hibiki, Squadron, Five Dream, 20 Chord, Doubly Guest, Zanir, Mamlook, Harper Valley, Temlett, Lemon Silk, Soliya, Qrackers, Pertemps Networks, 25 Amazing King, Indian Spring, Cnoc Moy, Western Point, Hypnotic Vibes, Sonning Star, Act Sirius, Silmi, Mutual Friend, 33 Callisto Moon, Bayonyx, Sainte Kadette, Right Or Wrong, Dal Cais, Galant Nuit, Sivota, Paco Jack, Royal Rationale, Bantry Bere, 40 Hassanali, Mujamead, Thousand Stars, Distiller, Mr Crystal, Pied Piper Man, Sebadee, Mud Monkey, 50 Fredo, Kanonkop, La Vecchia Scuola, Kavalotti, Hope Road, 66 Foreign King. ¼ 1-2-3-4