As with Premier League football, the Christmas and New Year horse racing schedule is a rather cluttered period. Like the football, the heavy scheduling is designed to cash in on racegoers and TV viewers having a bit more leisure time to catch the action. However, in many cases the winter racing is also the last time we will get to see several big-name horses until the main events of the spring – the Grand National and the Cheltenham Festival.
Indeed, there was plenty of movement in the Cheltenham betting ante-post markets over the last few weeks, as several star horses had some big disappointments and others made their mark. Most notably, Might Bite's Gold Cup odds plummeted down to 20/1 with 888sport after a disappointing defence of his King George VI Chase crown on Boxing Day. The new favourite is Presenting Percy at 4/1, although the seven-year-old hasn't raced since winning the RSA Chase at last year's Cheltenham Festival.
Buveur D'Air winning streak comes to an end
There was also a bit of disappointment for fans of the brilliant hurdler Buveur D'Air, who took a shock loss in the Christmas Hurdle. Yet, it was no disaster: Nicky Henderson's horse lost by just a shoulder and was impressive in claiming the Fighting Fifth Hurdle earlier in the season. However, it was enough for Buveur D'Air's Champion Hurdle odds to drift out to 5/4. Some punters will be buoyed by a perceived chink in the armour of the two-time Champion Hurdle winner, making both Sharjah and last year's runner up Melon worth a look at 10/1.
The Stayers' Hurdle has also been blown wide open. Last year's winner Penhill is the 6/1 favourite with 888sport, but he got trounced by Faugheen in the Irish version of the Stayers' Hurdle in April. Faugheen himself looks out of sorts over the last few months, dropping from ante-post favourite down to 10/1. The most intriguing option for the Stayers' Hurdle has to be Apple's Jade, who is now offered at 8/1 by 888sport. Gordon Elliott's highly-rated mare had three big wins over November and December, looking in imperious form when beating some tough competition. It's almost a given that Apple's Jade will win one of the feature races at Cheltenham one day – but which one?
Altior hasn't missed a beat
Talking of imperious form, Altior showed no signs of any rust in his outings, taking both the Tingle Creek Chase and Desert Orchid Chase. Is there a better jumps horse on the planet? Probably not, and you can see why he is just 1/2 to retain the Champion Chase crown. Footpad, available at 6/1, still seems the most likely opposition, but Willie Mullins's charge hasn't really pushed on this season like most expected.
A few horses have really put themselves into contention over the past few months, with the likes of Champ (5/1, Ballymore Novices' Hurdle), Santini (7/2, RSA Chase), Lostintranslation (6/1, JLT Novices' Chase) and Dynamite Dollars (6/1, the Arkle) all making strong cases to be among the next generation of Cheltenham greats.
Of course, this is the time of year when punters search a bit of value in the ante-post markets. Who fits the bill? Well, the best course of action may be to take a chance on those 'class acts' that have underperformed over the last few months. Samcro (if fit) looks like a longer trip might suit and is sure to have backers at 12/1 for the Stayers' Hurdle. Annamix – 20/1 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle – disappointed on debut but was highly thought of by connections. Worth a shot perhaps, but most punters will like to see one more run from the French import.
