The Cheltenham Festival is one week of the year where everybody wants to back a winner.
Whether they're a regular racegoer, or a once-a-year punter, fans hope to be celebrating after the races.
Around £500 million in bets are staked on the four-day meeting, which begins on March 15.
This year, attendees will see whether short-priced favourites like Honeysuckle and Allaho can repeat their 2021 successes.
Bookmakers are also be on the lookout for gambles on certain runners, as shrewd backers search for the value.
Pundits often pick out bigger-priced horses to follow at previews ahead of the main event.
But on raceday there can be some important market movers, with the ground and opposition taken into account.
We asked the bookmakers for the most popular ante-post bets before the final preparations are completed.
Coral
There’s no doubt which favourite has been the most popular ante-post, Allaho has been all the rage for a repeat success in the Ryanair Chase.
All the odds against disappearing some time ago and he’ll be vying for the title of shortest-priced runner of the week, with Honeysuckle and Shishkin.
His Willie Mullins-trained stablemate, Vauban, has been the best-backed of the market leaders in the JCB Triumph Hurdle and holds clear favouritism ahead of Pied Piper.
The latter’s trainer, Gordon Elliott, is responsible for another rock solid favourite, Tiger Roll, as he bids for another cross country victory.
At bigger prices, Death Duty (Ultima), Winter Fog (Pertemps) and State Man (County Hurdle) have attracted eye-catching support in the handicaps.
Ladbrokes
The Irish runners are definitely winning the popularity contest. The top four most popular horses are Honeysuckle, Allaho, Tiger Roll, and Facile Vega.
It has always been clear what race they are going for and they have been the mainstays of people’s accas for a long time.
That support is starting to ramp up, with particular interest in the Allaho/Honeysuckle double at 6-4.
The most popular of the British is Shishkin, who will also be one of the worst results of the week.
Paddy Power
Telmesomethinggirl has been very popular and it’s easy to see why as she wasn’t beaten far last time at Leopardstown.
As a previous Cheltenham winner, she’s probably more suited to the famous Prestbury Park hill.
Langer Dan just missed out on Festival glory in the Martin Pipe last year when he was only denied by Galopin Des Champs.
Punters have steamed in to him off a similar handicap mark in the expectation that there won’t be anything of that calibre opposing this season.
Betfair
In the Gold Cup, Galvin was backed into favourite on the Betfair Exchange having been a high of around 80-1.
The Arkle has been a very buoyant market and Edwardstone has been very well supported. He was 38-1 and now heads the betting.
While in the Champion Hurdle, Honeysuckle continues to shorten.
Please Gamble Responsibly
Everyone at Reach is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over.
We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit begambleaware.org.
