Cheltenham Festival Market Movers - 21/12/21

Jonbon already sat as favourite for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle heading into Fridays Ascot run, however quickly saw his price take a further tumble on the back of an ultra impressive Grade 2 win in the Howden Kennel Gate Novices' Hurdle.

A £570,000 purchase and full brother to the top class hurdler Douvan, Jonbon was an easy 15 length winner of his Irish PTP and subsequently went on to cosily land his sole bumper start on his first run for Nicky Henderson.

He then marked his debut over obstacles at Newbury, on the back of a 244 day break, with a cracking performance, winning by an eased down six length margin in November this year.

The step up in grade on Friday proved little issue to this son of Walk In The Park, winning once more, eased down at the finish, and completing his four timer to remain unbeaten under all codes.

The Supreme Novices' Hurdle Market has now knocked him down a few more points on the back of that most recent win; he's now as short as 2/1 from the previously available 7/2.

Champ sent punters into an ante-post scramble after his Howden Long Walk Hurdle win on Saturday.

Connections made the brave decision to switch him back to hurdles at Ascot on the back of pulling up when last seen Chasing in March and they were duly rewarded for their actions.

The strong travelling stayer took it to his field at a canter before really toughing it out to the line when challenged in a highly likeable performance.

Its no secret that the staying hurdles division is screaming out for a star to take it by the scruff of the neck and punters seem to feel that Champ may fit the bill given his price took a huge cut from as big as 20/1 at some bookmakers into 9/2 best priced favouritism for the Stayers'.

American Mike was another runner to see an already relatively short price for the festival be cut further on the back of a hugely impressive run.

Gordon Elliott's 4-year-old took his record to 3 from 3 at Navan on Saturday; priced as a 1/8 favourite for the Future Champions Bumper race, he marked his first time step up into Listed company with an eased down 17 length victory.

A £195,000 purchase, American Mike holds bundles on potential and given the manner of his wins to date, its easy to understand why his original 10/3 odds for the festival have now been further slashed into as short as 5/2, a clear favourite for the Champion Bumper affair in March.