Cheltenham Market Movers 2011: Friday

8.17 UPDATE: It’s Gold Cup Day and we can start getting excited about it. Three former Champions, a young upstart and the Irish challenge. It’s the sort of race you can sit back and enjoy without a bet – but that’s not going to happen is it.

The first mover of the day is that man again Gordon Elliott. In the 2.05 County Hurdle the first springer is one of his, Grey Soldier, in to 20/1 from 33/1.

In the Gold Cup the first four in the betting have all been pushed out, with William Hill going 9/2 on the favourite Imperial Commander. There have been bits of money for Kempes but nothing exceptional to report at this stage.

9.37 UPDATE: At the moment all the money is for Kempes in the Gold Cup. Having started the day as an 11/1 shot he is now only 9/1. The front four in the market are going nowhere, although expect a late rush for the old favourites.

There is strong support for Bobs Worth in the 2.40 Albert Bartlett, Paddypower are still standing the 3/1, everyone else goes 11/4.

11.17 UPDATE: More movement in the Gold Cup with support for Midnight Chase 14/1 (from 16/1). Paddypower and Coral have also been the first to clip Long Run in by half a point. Maybe the sign of things to come?

In the 2.40 Albert Bartlett, No Secrets has been backed at fancy prices. Now 40/1 from 80/1.

Oscar Delta is the best backed horse in the 4.00 Foxhunter Chase, in to 20/1 from 33s.

12.27 UPDATE: Long Run is now the joint favourite for the Gold Cup with StanJames.com, who expect the young Nicky Henderson chaser to go off favourite for the race.

“All the money today has been for Long Run,” said StanJames.com spokesman Garry McGibbon. “For some reason punters are leaving Imperial Commander well alone today, which we find a bit strange as he’s been trained specifically for this race and did nothing wrong when winning this contest last year.”

Former Champions Kauto Star and Denman are still friendless in the betting at 8/1 and 17/2 respectively.

13.05 UPDATE: Dermot Weld’s horse Unaccompanied is being supported in the opening race, in to 6/1 from 7/1.

In the 2.05 County Hurdle, Get Me Out Of Here is being backed to leave his current form well behind. He is 14/1 from 16/1.

13.45 UPDATE: Arc winner Zarkava might have quite a useful half-brother, as Zarkandar showed a blistering turn of foot to win the Triumph Hurdle on only his second start. It was another win for our National Hunt expert who tipped the horse over a week ago.

13.53 UPDATE: Money still coming for Get Me Out Of Here in the 2.05 County Hurdle - now 9/1.

14.11 UPDATE: The gamble on Get Me Out Of Here went astray but by the smallest of margins, he was beaten in a head bob. The bookmakers will breath a sigh of relief.

The Gold Cup market is taking shape with Imperial Commander being backed, all the 9/2 is gone and he is a general 4/1 chance. There is also support for Long Run with only 9/2 available, the 5/1 gone now.

To balance the books Denman’s price has had to drift, he is now as big 9/1 with Victor Chandler.

14.49 UPDATE: Gambled landed in the Albert Bartlett as Bobs Worth rewarded his followers at 15/8 having been 7/2 in the morning.

The wait is almost over, 30minutes until the Gold Cup and Long Run is vying with Imperial Commander for favouritism at 4/1.

15.03 UPDATE: Long Run is now 7/2 favourite. Public also backing Kauto Star, he is now 6/1 from an 8/1 opening show.

15.39 UPDATE: An epic Gold Cup, one of the best races you will ever see. Denman and Kauto Star were heroes finishing second and third but it was a the young pretender Long Run who triumphed. At only six years old it marks a changing of the guard; the new champion is 4/1 to retain his title in 2012.

16.28 UPDATE: Everything after that Gold Cup is going to be an anti-climax so what better way to leave our Cheltenham coverage than on that race. I hope you have enjoyed reading about it as much as we have enjoyed writing. See you next year.