Cheltenham Festival Day 3 Market Movers: Massive 66/1 to 22/1 plunge in the Stayers' Hurdle

Nathan Joyes
16 March 2023
2:00 min read

Will the Stayers' Hurdle throw up a shock?

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This column has flagged three places at 18/1, 9/1 and 7/1 at the Cheltenham Festival, as well as advising a successful lay with both Marie's Rock and Good Land. Find out the latest market movers for day three of the Festival.

Sire Du Berlais backed into 22/1 having opened 66/1
Foxy Girl into 8/1 from 16/1 for the Mares Hurdle
Blazing Khal out to 7/2 having opened 11/4

Elliott backed for an upset

Most Backed: Sire Du Berlais, 15:30 Stayers' Hurdle

The Stayers' Hurdle takes centre stage today and despite having the favourite in Teahupoo, Gordon Elliott's outsider has been very well supported this morning.

Sire Du Berlais, who opened up as big as 67.066/1 when the declarations came out, is now 23.022/1 to spring a surprise in the Stayers' Hurdle.

The eleven-year-old hasn't been in the best form over the last 12 months, but a promosing fourth at Navan in the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle caught the eye. The trip wasn't ideal, either, on that occasion.

It's worth pointing out Sire Du Berlais has winning Cheltenham Festival form, and noticeably beat Flooring Porter in a Grade 1 at Aintree.

The veteran finished second in this race in 2021 and a big performance is expected from Betfair punters, who believe Elliott's horse will relish today's distance.

No. 10

Sire Du Berlais (Fr)

Trainer: Gordon Elliott, Ireland
Jockey: M. P. Walsh
Age: 11
Weight: 11st 10lbs
OR: -

Foxy Girl making moves in the Mares

Biggest Mover: Foxy Girl, 16:50 Mares' Novices' Hurdle

Betfair ambassador Rachael Blackmore is on board one of five of Henry De Bromhead's runners in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle this afternoon.

However, according to the Betfair Sportsbook, Foxy Girl is De Bromhead's second best chance of success in the race.

Rachael has this to say about Foxy Girl in her Betfair column: "She is a nice mare, and her form is working out well. She finished second behind Liberty Dance at Thurles in December on her first run for Henry, and Liberty Dance won a listed hurdle next time.

"Foxy Girl then won impressively at Limerick over Christmas and the horse she beat into second place, In Excess, was an easy winner of his maiden hurdle next time."

This is a step up from that maiden win in Limerick, but she noticeably beat male opposition that day, and on soft to heavy ground, she'll relish today's conditions.

This promising mare is a natural jumper and Betfair punters have been supporting Foxy Girl in their numbers, which is why she is now 10.09/1 to come out on top.

No. 8

Foxy Girl (Fr)

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead, Ireland
Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
Age: 5
Weight: 11st 2lbs
OR: -

Blazing Khal unfancied

Biggest Drifter: Blazing Khal, 15:30 Stayers' Hurdle

While Sire Du Berlais continues to receive support, the unbeaten hurdler Blazing Khal has drifted in the market to 5.04/1, having opened up at 3.7511/4.

Having won all four hurdles to date, the seven-year-old heads to Cheltenham looking to make it 3-3 at the track.

However, Blazing Khal has reportedly suffered a setback since winning at Navan and this is the seven-year-old's second run off the back of a lengthy absence.