Big mover on soft ground for Cheltenham Festival opener

BIG MOVER ON SOFT GROUND FOR FESTIVAL OPENER – FACILE VEGA AND BALLYBURN GATHERING MOMENTUM

Ladbrokes has reported a big move for the Cheltenham going following a run of support this morning. It is now 8/11 from 11/10 that the first race official going is SOFT, while Good to Soft is out to 11/8.

Meanwhile, the firm have gone up with Top Jockey making Paul Townend 1/3, while Willie Mullins looks unstoppable in the Top Trainer market at 16/1. FACILE VEGA is attracting support for the Turners’ Novices’ Chase and has been cut to 7/2 form 9/2. BALLYBURN has been cut to 1/2 from 8/13 for the Gallagher after Willie Mullins confirmed his race.

Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “The weather reports suggests we will be looking at Soft ground for the curtain raiser at Cheltenham next week and punters have wasted no time in backing it. It’s been a busy morning of market movers for the festival but the standout support has been for Facile Vega and Ballyburn.”

Cheltenham Festival Odds

Cheltenham Festival First Race Official Going

• 8/11 Soft
• 11/1 Good to Soft
• 8/1 Heavy
• 40/1 Good
• 250/1 bar

Top Jockey

• 1/3 Paul Townend
• 6/1 Jack Kennedy
• 6/1 Mark Walsh
• 25/1 Nico De Boinville
• 25/1 Rachel Blackmore

Ladbrokes Cheltenham Movers

• Facile Vega – 7/2 from 9/2 Turners’ Novices’ Chase
• Ballyburn – 1/2 from 8/13 Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle

Day 1 (Champion Day) betting tips

Day 2 (Style Wednesday) betting tips

Day 3 (St Patrick’s Thursday) betting tips

Day 4 (Gold Cup Day) betting tips

View the latest Cheltenham Festival odds

All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.