Cheltenham Festival Market Movers - 18/01/21

One of the biggest surprises of the weekend came on Sunday from Punchestown when the Ronon McNally trained Dreal Deal drifted from 6/1 out to 22/1 and still managed to land the Grade Two Moscow Flyer Novices' Hurdle.

It has been a remarkable story for the six year old starting the season off in September off a mark of 84 in handicaps and and at the weekend landed the Grade Two off a mark of 141 and will be sure to go up again for that win.

Having now landed five events on the bounce, four over hurdles and one on the flat, it looks as though the world is his oyster, with both the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and Ballymore Novices' Hurdle options for the likeable horse.

After his success he was smashed into 16/1 with most firms for the Supreme from 66/1 before that race and with his handler saying the prep for that race was not very good and he was expected to come on for that run, he could have a big outside chance.

Sky Pirate was a stand out performer at the weekend making it two wins from two over two miles and it looks as though he is primed for the Grand Annual Chase at the Cheltenham festival.

The betting market believes so as he went in from 10/1 to 6/1 with some firms and even though there are rumours he may not be heading for that race, we think it looks the most logical.

The Jonjo O'Neill trained gelding has been foot perfect since the switch to, two miles winning at Cheltenham and then landing another tough handicap event at Warwick.

Although his mark has gone up slightly he looked to have plenty in hand when digging out his win and another rise should not stop him from going close in this race.

The final big market mover from the weekend came from Market Rasen in the Listed bumper and Eileen Dover looks to be a special mare for trainer Pam Sly.

The favourite has been exceptional so far in her career landing all three of her bumper events, getting better with each run and on Saturday beat a decent field in a Listed event by a decent distance.

Although it is up in the air whether the smart mare will head to the Cheltenham festival she underwent some support on Saturday after the race for the Champion Bumper.

Before her trouncing of the field which included Irish raider Grangee for Willie Mullins, the mare was 20/1 and now with most firms can be backed at 8/1.