Punters Hit Back on Third day of Cheltenham Festival

CHELTENHAM, England, March 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Punters hit back on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival after a string of well-backed favourites won.

Although favourite Peddlers Cross was turned over in the opening race, the eventual winner Sir Des Champs didn't go unbacked but the damage was to come later in the day.

16/1 winner Cape Tribulation gave the bookies some respite in the Pertemps Final but four well-backed favourites on the bounce obliged soon after which mean punters have plenty to play with heading into the final day.

"The punters have roared back on the third day of Cheltenham which means honours are just about even heading into the Gold Cup day," said Betfred spokesman George Primarolo.

Long Run heads the market for tomorrow's Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup with the sponsors at 9/4 with Kauto Star next in the market at 9/2.

"As a young lad growing up in Salford I never imagined being able to afford to go to the Cheltenham Festival, let alone sponsoring the feature race," said Betfred chairman Fred Done.

"It will be a very proud and emotional day for me and fingers crossed we will have a cracking race."

Long Run's stablemate Burton Port is a 7/1 shot, just ahead of Midnight Chase and Synchronised who are both priced up at 10/1.

JCB Triumph Hurdle - Betfred bet: 6 Baby Mix, Sadler's Risk, 13/2 Grumeti, 7 Pearl Swan, 8 Balder Success, 10 Shadow Catcher, 12 Darroun, Urbain de Sivola, 14 Dodging Bullets, Hollow Tree, 16 Hisaabaat, Ut de Sivola, 33 Asaid, Countrywide Flame, Wingtips, 50 Dysios, His Excellency, West Brit, 100 Arctic Reach, Mattoral.

¼ 1-2-3

Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle - Betfred bet: 8 Citizenship, 10 Moon Dice, 11 Olofi, 14 Dirar, Ifyouletmefinish, Raya Star, Snap Tie, Ted Spread, 16 Magnifique Etoile, Sailors Warn, 20 Alderwood, Local Hero, Master Of Arts, Plan A, Redera, Ubi Ace, 25 Ingleby Spirit, Lifestyle, 28 Court In Session, Starluck, The Bull Hayes, Via Galilei, 33 Alarazi, Clerk's Choice, Desert Cry, Edgardo Sol, Hell's Bay, 40 Dee Ee Williams.

¼ 1-2-3-4-5

Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle - Betfred bet: 13/8 Boston Bob, 11/2 Mount Benbulben, 13/2 Sea Of Thunder, 8 Rocky Creek, 9 Brindisi Breeze, 14 Lovcen, 16 Ipsos du Berlais, Sivola de Sivola, 20 Fox Appeal, 25 Hard To Swallow, 28 Grand Vision, 33 Meister Eckhart, 40 Big Occasion, The Bosses Cousin, 50 Benheir, 66 Dawn Commander, The Druids Nephew, Tour des Champs, 100 American Spin, Fill The Power.

¼ 1-2-3

Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup - sponsors bet: 9/4 Long Run, 9/2 Kauto Star, 7 Burton Port, 10 Midnight Chase, Synchronised, 11 Weird Al, 14 Quel Esprit, 20 What A Friend, 33 Diamond Harry, 50 China Rock, Time For Rupert, 66 Carruthers, Knockara Beau, The Giant Bolster, 100 The Midnight Club.

¼ 1-2-3

Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup: Betting without Long Run & Kauto Star - sponsors bet: 11/4 Burton Port, 9/2 Midnight Chase, Synchronised, 5 Weird Al, 13/2 Quel Esprit, 10 What A Friend, 16 Diamond Harry, 25 China Rock, Time For Rupert, 28 Carruthers, Knockara Beau, 33 The Giant Bolster, 50 The Midnight Club.

¼ 1-2-3

Christie's Foxhunter Steeplechase - Betfred bet: 6 Chapoturgeon, Cloudy Lane, 13/2 Salsify, 9 On The Fringe, 10 Merchant Royal, My Flora, 12 Roulez Cool, 14 Barbers Shop, 16 Boxer Georg, 20 Enter Paraside, Rowdy Rampage, 25 Just Amazing, 28 Herons Well, Keenans Future, 33 Blackstaff, Bradley, Eleazar, Not Before Eight, 40 Count Salazar, Oscar Delta, Picaroon, 50 Surenaga, Theatre Diva, Turko.

¼ 1-2-3

Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle - Betfred bet: 7 Bourne, Toner d'Oudairies, 8 Street Entertainer, 12 Make A Track, Oscar Nominee, 14 Molotof, Open Hearted, 16 Gormanstown Cuckoo, I'msingingtheblues, 20 Arab League, Changing Times, Dan Breen, Grandads Horse, 25 Art Professor, Attaglance, Empire Levant, Knight Pass, Like Minded, Tornado Bob, Wolf Moon, 33 Bocciani, Pateese, Rigidity, 40 Ski Sundat.

¼ 1-2-3-4

Johnny Henderson Grand Annual - Betfred bet: 8 Kid Cassidy, Toubab, 10 Astracad, De Boitron, Eradicate, 14 Free World, Kumbeshwar, Oiseau de Nuit, Slieveardagh, Tanks For That, 16 Bellvano, French Opera, Lucky William, Tara Royal, Ultimate, 20 Anquetta, Idarah, Norther Boy, Renard, 28 Cornas, 33 King Edmund.

¼ 1-2-3-4

Betfred Midlands Grand National - sponsors bet: 7 Clash Duff, 9 Maringo Bay, Master Overseer, Posh Bird, Roalco de Farges, 12 Another Palm, Arbor Supreme, Ballyfoy, Connak, Honourable Affair, 14 Jaunty Journey, Mohayer, Mohi Rahrere, Mr Moss, Tamarinbleu, 16 Chamirey, 20 Ballyfitz, Major Malarkey, 25 Hills Of Aran.

¼ 1-2-3-4

John Smith's Grand National - Betfred bet:9 Prince De Beauchene, 14 Junior, 16 Ballabriggs, Burton Port, Seabass, Synchronised, West End Rocker, 20 Cappa Bleu, Chicago Grey, Giles Cross, Midnight Chase, Neptune Collonges, On His Own, Quel Esprit, Roberto Goldback, Sunnyhillboy, Treacle, 25 Apt Approach, Calgary Bay, Deep Purple, Hold On Julio, Massini's Maguire, Planet Of Sound, Roulez Cool, Shakalakaboomboom, The Midnight Club, 33 bar.

¼ 1-2-3-4

Mark Pearson, mark.pearson@betfred.com