Cheltenham Market Movers 2012: Thursday

9.00 UPDATE: Welcome to Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival.

Clerk of the course Simon Claisse watered after racing last night, putting between 5mm and 8mm on the track. The official going is good to soft, good in places as reported by the BHA at 6.18am.

The new course is used for the first time today with a going stick reading of 8.0. Times on the old course were close to standard suggesting the ground was riding good.

9.37: The World Hurdle at 3.20 is the Championship race on day three and the bookmakers are taking on Big Buck’s. Looking for his fourth World Hurdle and 16th win in a row, the bookies have pushed him out to 8/11 (Paddy Power). He might drift a bit further considering he started the last two World Hurdles at 10/11 and 5/6.

10.00: The biggest market movers are in the Pertemps Final at 2.05. Pricewise selection Pineau De Re is 18/1 (Boylesports) from 33s. Buena Vista is also well supported in his bid to win the race for a third time, he is a best price 9/1 (Boylesports).

10.15: The Ryanair at 2.40 looks wide-open with bookmakers going 5/1 the field. There has been a nibble for Captain Chris, hoping he returns to form at 12/1 (BetVictor).

11.30: Two hours until the first race at Cheltenham and Sir Des Champs is on the drift in the opener. A 7/2 chance at the start of the day he is 5/1 with Betfred. That has left Peddlers Cross alone at the top of the market at 7/2 with Bet365.

12.00: Two clear market movers in the Jewson at 1.30. Peddlers Cross has hardened as the 10/3 (Bet365) favourite. Zaynar is attracting support at 18/1 (Paddy Power) from 28s.

13.00: Only 30 minutes until the first race and Peddlers Cross is getting smashed up in the betting for the Jewson. Blue Square are the only bookmaker showing 3/1 with 11/4 everywhere else.

13.26: Late money for Sir Des Champs in the first, into 3/1 (Bet365) having been as big as 5/1 in the morning.

13.38: Sir Des Champs lands the first but great credit to Champion Court who forced a strong pace all race. Peddlers Cross was disappointing and finished unplaced.

13.43: Buena Vista and Pineau De Re both well backed for the Pertemps (2.05), you can add Barwell Bridge to that list, 12/1 (Bet365) having touched 18/1. 

14.19: Cape Tribulation wins the Pertemps at 14/1 with Buena Vista down the field. Next up is the Ryanair where Riverside Theatre is the 4/1 (Bet365) favourite. Money also for Somersby and Captain Chris.

14.53: A cracking renewal of the Ryanair, Albertas Run pours his heart out but just gets caught on the line by Riverside Theatre.

14.59: Not long until the World Hurdle (3.20) and Big Buck’s is a scarcely believable 4/5 with Bet365. Oscar Whisky and Thousand Stars being backed to lower his colours.

15.40: A thrilling World Hurdle and hats off to Big Buck’s. A fine run by Voler La Vedette in second. Flagged up by our racing tipster at 25/1 each-way she looked the winner rounding the turn but like Albertas Run the race before, she couldn’t quite get the job done.

15.49: Byrne Group Plate next up at 4.00. Four well backed in the market: Niceonefrankie, Hectors Choice, Notus De La Tour and The Cockney Mackem.

16.19: Salut Flo wins the Byrne Group Plate at 9/2. The final race if the Kim Muir at 4.40 where Sunnyhillboy heads the betting at 6/1 (Bet365) in from 8s.

16.49: Sunnyhillboy wins the last at Cheltenham. Attention can now turn to the Gold Cup tomorrow - can Kauto Star do it?