Cheltenham: Day three view from the trading floor
Published:Each day throughout this year’s Cheltenham Festival we’ll be joined by Ladbrokes’ Richard Harkness as he gives us the view from the trading floor on all of the runners and riders at Prestbury Park.
We’ll be covering the biggest names and races with top-class insight into who to watch out for, where the money’s going and how the trading team view some of the most eagerly anticipated clashes.
On day two, Richard offers us his opinion on why Big Bucks can overcome Annie Power in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle and how the Ryanair chase, featuring Dynaste, Al Ferof and Benefficient looks one of the hardest races to call on paper.
On the horse bookmaker wants to get beat on Ladbrokes World Hurdle day…
“It’s Ladbrokes World Hurdle day and that’s the race we will focus on with sustained support coming in for Annie Power ever since Willie Mullins confirmed this was her target race.
“There has been money ever since and she’s the one we’d like to get beat, especially after Faugheen and Sire De Grugy winning yesterday.
“We also have a great offer with money back on all losing stakes if Annie Power wins the Ladbrokes World Hurdle so we will be watching on with interest.”*
On Big Bucks v Annie Power in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle…
“I think Big Bucks is the one to beat and I would love to see him cross the line first. It would be great for racing and great for our sponsored race as well.
“ I thought he ran well on his comeback and was given quite free rein by Sam Twiston-Davies. He would have learnt a lot about the horse on that occasion and he’ll be more restrained this time.
“Obviously Annie Power is a fantastic mare and she has put in some brilliant performances but I think Big Buck’s can do it.
“The other interesting horse we like the look of is More Of That from the Jonjo O’Neill yard so hopefully it will be a really exciting race with Big Bucks getting back in the winners’ enclosure.”
On the difficulty facing punters in the Ryanair Chase….
“Dynaste is one of the market leaders for the Ryanair Chase after Pricewise put him up a few weeks ago.
“The tipster has a brilliant following and rightly so because he does find plenty of good priced winners but we think this is a particularly tricky race to call with Benefficient and Al Ferof also in the running.
“And it looks as though we were spot on with Tom Segal turning his back on Dynaste in this morning’s Racing Post and picking Phillip Hobbs’ Menorah for victory.”
*For full Terms and Conditions on our Annie Power offer for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle click here.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £50 in free bets.
