Punters Backing Irish Domination At Cheltenham Festival

Punters are banking on Irish domination at Cheltenham this week as BoyleSports reported significant antepost interest in the travelling contingent to the festival.

The Irish will rule the roost when it comes to the Prestbury Cup if the betting is to be believed, the competition that sees trainers from opposite sides of the water pitted against each other in the quest for more victories. Ireland are odds-on at 4/6 to deliver more winners than the British while Willie Mullins and Paul Townend are leading the way to be top trainer and top jockey at 4/7 and 2/1 respectively.

Rachael Blackmore meanwhile has been the subject of significant support to be crowned the first female champion jockey at Cheltenham and she is now the joint second favourite behind Townend to end the week with most winners after being gambled into 4/1 from 7/1 in recent days.

Willie Mullins’ mare Benie Des Dieux is standing out as one of the bankers on day one and has tightened into 4/7 from 4/6 to win the Mares’ Hurdle, with Henry De Bromhead’s Honeysuckle being eased to 3/1 from 11/4.

The antepost markets have been absolutely buzzing and we are bracing ourselves for record turnover as the action gets under way.

Benie Des Dieux and Tiger Roll in particular are all the rage with punters so we could be set for a very damaging week if the Irish favourites deliver.

The top jockey race has a different look this year without Ruby Walsh in the running and Rachael Blackmore is one of the most popular picks in that market. She was only one winner short last year and her book of rides this week is clearly catching the eye.

*Prices correct at time of publication.