29 December 2023 , 15:07
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A leading bookmaker has become the first to offer ‘non-runner no bet’ on bets placed on next year’s Cheltenham Festival.
William Hill announced the new terms which will apply to all 28 races at the March showpiece from January 1 2024.
Under the guarantee punters who place bets either online or in shops will receive their full stake back if their selection does not run in the race they have backed it for at the 2024 meeting in March.
In addition to the Non-Runner Money Back guarantee, William Hill will also be paying five places on all of the Festival’s handicaps.
William Hill spokesperson, Lee Phelps, said: “After a busy few days of festive racing, the ante-post picture for many of the Cheltenham Festival races looks much clearer, but there’s still certainly no guarantee that any horse will make it to the track in March.
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“So, with interest building all the time, we’re giving our customers the added reassurance that from 1st January if one of their ante-post fancies doesn’t run, they’ll get their money back as we’re now Non-Runner Money Back on all of the 28 Cheltenham Festival races.”
Betting on the Festival moved up a gear over the Christmas period with the Leopardstown Festival resulting in a number of betting changes.
William Hill’s top five market movers have all involved Irish-trained runners, headed by Galopin Des Champs who was cut to 5-4 favourite from 5-2 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup after a statement win in the Savills Chase.
Marine National is Evens favourite from 6-4 for the Arkle, Irish Point (9-2 from 14-1) for the Stayers, Fact To File (7-1 from 16) for the Brown Advisory Chase and Gaelic Warrior, who won at Limerick, (5-4 from 2-1) for the Turners.
Phelps said: “While punters in the UK have been treated to some exceptional performances over Christmas, our five biggest movers in the Cheltenham Festival ante-post markets have all come from Ireland.
“Galopin Des Champs’ silky smooth win in the Savills Chase saw him cut to 5/4 from 5/2 to retain the Gold Cup, while Gaelic Warrior, Marine Nationale, Irish Point and Fact To File all posted great auditions for March and have been slashed for their likely contests.
“Despite slipping up in the King George, our biggest Festival mover that came out of Kempton was actually Shishkin, who’s been cut into 10/1 from 20/1 for the Gold Cup.”