Road to Cheltenham: Bristol De Mai 16/1 for Gold Cup; Might Bite 8/1

A busy weekend of racing at Haydock, Ascot and Exeter produced a number of significant moves in the Cheltenham Festival betting, not least where the Gold Cup is concerned.  

We’ve rounded up all the key market movers in the latest edition of our Road to Cheltenham.

Bristol De Mai – Cheltenham Gold Cup – 16/1

The Lancashire Chase was billed as a straight fight between Native River and Might Bite. So how did everyone forget Haydock specialist Bristol De Mai?

Nigel Twiston-Davies’ charge went off at 13/2 and defied concerns over the ground to land the first-leg of the £1m Bonus. Now the question is whether he’s a serious Gold Cup horse.

He finished 20l behind the winner 18 months ago. But following a wind-op, and with a lightly-raced campaign on the cards, our traders give him a 16/1 chance for the Cheltenham showpiece.

Might Bite – Cheltenham Gold Cup – 8/1 from 5/1

All didn’t quite go to plan for Might Bite around Haydock. Nicky Henderson’s runner was ponderous in his jumping before tailing off to finish last as the even-money favourite.

There’s still a long way to go until March. But such a flat and tired performance caused enough concern for the trainer to book the horse in for schooling lessons ahead of the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day

He’s now a 3/1 shot for the Kempton showpiece, while he’s out to 8/1 for the Gold Cup.

Politologue – Ryanair Chase – 12/1 from 20/1

While questions remain over Politologue’s ability to stay 3m, there are no such concerns over his capabilities of handling 2m5f. Paul Nicholls’ star proved that once again at Ascot on Saturday.

The seven-year-old jumped well before staying on to oust Charbel and give Nicholls a fifth 1965 Chase since 2010. The trainer intimated afterwards that the King George could be an option.

Yet it remains to be seen whether he has the stamina to manage the trip. His pace should lend itself to a tilt at the Ryanair Chase, for which he has been cut into 12/1.

If The Cap Fits – Champion Hurdle – 20/1 from 25/1

The top two in the Champion Hurdle market look more than a bit windy. So could it be worth siding with 20/1 shot If The Cap Fits after his latest win at Ascot? Maybe, is our on the fence assessment.

Harry Fry’s charge held off Old Guard by just over a length to take the Grade 2 contest and taste success for first time since returning from a 319-day break earlier this month.

Further improvement is expected from the six-year-old over the coming months, with the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton his next target.

Lil Rockerfeller – RSA Chase – 25/1 from 33/1

It was a case of three and easy for Lil Rockerfeller on Sunday, as Neil King’s seven-year-old rattled off a comfortable hat-trick at Exeter.

The Hard Spun gelding is continuing his transition from hurdles to fences with aplomb and looks primed for a title at the RSA Chase next March.

Our traders reacted to his latest win by cutting his odds for the 3m contest to 25/1. Santini remains the favourite.

Click to find out more on Horse Racing bets and our 2019 Cheltenham festival odds.

All Odds and Markets correct as of date of publication