Cheltenham: Day Three
The first race on Thursday's card for spread bettors to get stuck into is the Jewson Novices' Chase, which has only been going for the past five years. Interestingly, all five winners have carried 10st13lbs or less, so those looking to have a spread bet will probably start off looking at those towards the bottom of the handicap. Four of the five winners have been seven-year-olds and four were also having their first run in a handicap chase. Those who like to sell the SP markets on the spreads will be encouraged that four of the five winners have been in the first three in the betting.
Hot on the heels of the Jewson is the Ryanair Chase which was won so impressively last year by this year's Gold Cup contender, Imperial Commander. At 6/1, he is the biggest priced winner of the race in its five-year history, although only one favourite - Fondmort in 2005 - has won it. Spread bettors looking to build up the right profile of the winner will closely watch this season's Paddy Power Chase, as four of the five winners ran in the race. The one-two that day are likely to start at the top of the Sporting Index win index, so there is sure to be plenty of interest in Tranquil Sea and Poquelin on the spreads.
An interesting stat is that only one of the five winners won its prep race, so spread punters would be unwise to write off those that are seemingly out of form. Imperial Commander, for example, was sixth in the King George in 2008 before going on to win the Ryanair at his favoured Cheltenham. Course form is a vital consideration for anyone having a spread bet on this race, as all five winners had previously won at Prestbury Park.
The World Hurdle - formerly known as the Stayers' Hurdle - is the highlight on day three and in the past decade Inglis Drever and Baracouda have won five of the ten races. They were two tremendous horses and the spread betting public are likely to latch on to the new superstar, Paul Nicholls' Big Buck's. The Andy Stewart-owned seven-year-old has been revitalised since reverting to hurdles and is now unbeaten in six races over the smaller obstacles.
Only one market leader has been successful since 2004 and buyers of SP's on the spreads will be hoping for a repeat of 1999 when Anzum won for David Nicholson at 40/1. However, since then, no winner has been bigger than 8/1 which will give hope for the SP spread sellers.
Although this is the longest hurdle race of the entire week, it may surprise a number of spread punters that only one horse has won this race by 2 lengths or more in the past decade. That was Inglis in his first year, but he only won by 3 lengths and Big Buck's tends not to win by the biggest margins.
War Of Attrition is another who has shown a new lease of life with a return to hurdles and he will be aiming to become the first ever Gold Cup winner to go on to lift the World Hurdle. Spread bettors looking to buy him on the index will be worried, though, that no Irish trained runner has won this since 1996.
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