Bear backed in Ballymore opener

Bear Ghylls has attracted some support in the opening Ballymore Novices' Hurdle on day two of the Cheltenham Festival.

The Nicky Martin-trained gelding is unbeaten in four starts but takes a significant step up in class in the Grade 1 contest having won in handicap company last time.

He is faced by a couple of strong Irish challengers in Bob Olinger and Gaillard Du Mesnil , who head the market for the two-mile-five contest

Betfair Spokesman, Barry Orr commented this morning: ‘'In the opening Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at 1.20pm, the undefeated Bear Ghylls, has attracted plenty of support and is now 9/1 from 16/1 to give Somerset trainer, Nicky Martin a Festival winner''

‘'The Willie Mullins juggernaut rolls on thought with Monkfish , in the 1.55pm, and Chacun Pour Soi in the feature, Queen Mum Champion Chase, both short priced favourites and being doubled up by punters at combined odds of 11/8 against''

‘'Plenty of punters are making it a treble with the third short priced favourite of the day, Easyland in the X-Country. The treble is currently paying 7/2 and it would be a bad day for the Bookies should all 3 win.”

Festival Specials

Prestbury Cup: 1/16 Ireland (was 1/4) , 10/1 Great Britain (was 7/2) , 12/1 Tie (was 15/2) Ireland lead 5-2

 Cheltenham Festival Top Trainer — Betfair Betting: 1/8 Willie Mullins (was 1/5) 7/1 Henry De Bromhead, 10/1 Denise Foster, 14/1 Nicky Henderson 50/1 Paul Nicholls

Cheltenham Festival Top jockey — Betfair Betting  4/11 Paul Townend (was 1/3) , 3/1 Jack Kennedy (was 9/2)  6/1 Rachael Blackmore, 20/1 Nico de Boinville, 50/1 Aidan Coleman, 66/1 Harry Cobden (was 25/1)