Sport

Anabatic on offer at 9-1 for Cheltenham

BIG MATT and Challenger du Luc head the betting for the inaugural running of the Murphy's Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday, …

Tue Nov 12 1996 - 00:00

BIG MATT and Challenger du Luc head the betting for the inaugural running of the Murphy's Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday, for which a total of 17 horses stood their ground at yesterday's six day declaration stage.

Big Matt, second to Storm Alert at Ascot on his reappearance, and Challenger du Luc, the mount of Richard Dunwoody, are William Hill's market leaders for the £60,000 added handicap chase at 5 to 1.

Coral are also unable to separate the market leaders, offering 11 to 2, while Ladbrokes go 5 to 1 Challenger du Luc (from 11-2) and 11 to 2 Big Matt.

The best price about the Irish hope, Anabatic, is offered by Ladbrokes, who go 9 to 1 the Michael O'Brien trained challenger, who beat Sound Man in a Navan handicap on his latest start.

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Ladbrokes report support for the Philip Hobbs trained Kibreet, who is an 8 to 1 shot from 11 to 1, and Gordon Richards' representative Addington Boy, now 7 to from 9 to 1.

Richards took out Unguided Missile prior to yesterday's declaration deadline and Ladbrokes' spokesman Ian Wassell commented: "Kibreet has been a popular choice for the Murphy's today following the stable's encouraging noises whilst Addington Boy looks like getting his ground and, as Gordon Richards' selected, must command respect."

Absalom's Lady, who won Exeter's Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter last week, was left among yesterday's acceptors but did not figure in either Coral's or Hill's list after her trainer Gay Kelleway yesterday described her as a doubtful runner.

"There is only a very slim chance she will run," the trainer said on the Racing Channel. "David Bridgwater is very keen for her to run. She is very, very well and needed that last run she blew a lot afterwards.

"But that was only her fifth race over fences and to take on a big field at Cheltenham she would have it all to do. She needs to get her jumping more together and I think she will probably go for a slightly easier race before the King George VI Chase."

Tim Forster is set to run topweight Dublin Flyer who defied 11st 8lb in the race last year and has 6lb more to carry 12 months on.

David Nicholson removed Nakir and Hill Of Tullow but left in Call It A Day, a winner at Uttoxeter last Saturday, and the 1993 King George VI Chase winner Barton Bank, who was second in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby nine days ago.