ISTABRAQ EASED IN CHAMPION HURDLE BETTING Significant support for Istabraq`s main opponents has seen bookmakers Ladbrokes push out the triple Champion Hurdle winner to evens favouritism for this season`s renewal at Cheltenham in March. William Hill briefly suspended betting on the race on Thursday evening before following suit. Istabraq had been 4-6 favourite with both firms for the Smurfit-sponsored race despite suffering his first fall on his seasonal debut at Leopardstown on New Year`s Eve. The Aidan O`Brien-trained gelding is set to try and win a fourth AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday. However Ladbrokes reported 'substantial' each-way support for Barton in the Champion Hurdle and trimmed the odds on Tim Easterby`s charge to 8-1 from 12-1. The English firm have also cut Stage Affair`s price to 10-1 from 14-1. Mike Dillon of Ladbrokes told Sportinglife.com: 'It all started in Ireland where we saw significant support for Stage Affair. 'And then Barton and Geos were well supported in this country. That is the second, third and fourth favourites so we had to make a move with regards to Istabraq. 'This is traditionally a quiet time for betting and I think people are just trying to obtain value.' David Hood, William Hill`s spokesman, explained the thinking behind his firm`s decision. He said: 'Last year Istabraq was bombproof but this year he has been very easy to lay, in fact you can hardly give him away. 'Stories about an interrupted preparation have been afoot for weeks and that seemed to be borne out when he fell when tired on his reappearance last month. 'There is a heavy frost due in Ireland over the next 72 hours and if Leopardstown is lost to the weather on Sunday then Istabraq`s preparation will be interrupted even further and that is certainly not ideal. 'We suspended for an hour this evening because of these factors and a couple of substantial wagers for Grimes (now 20-1 from 33-1). However, we have now reinstated the market.' Ladbrokes: Evens Istrabaq, 7-1 Geos, 8-1 Barton, 10-1 Stage Affair, 14-1 Hitman, 16-1 Moscow Flyer, 20-1 Youlneverwalkalone, Hors La Loi III, 25-1 Grimes, 25-1 Mantles Prince, Mr Cool, 33-1 bar. William Hill: Evens Istabraq, 6-1 Geos, 8-1 Barton, 10-1 Hitman, Stage Affair, 14-1 Youlneverwalkalone, 16-1 Hors La Loi, 20-1 Grimes, Landing Light, Moscow Flyer, Mr Cool, 25-1 Happy Change, Mantles Prince, 33-1 bar.
