Now Is The Hour, trained by Gavin Cromwell, has seen his odds slashed for the National Hunt Novices Chase at the Cheltenham Festival after qualifying for the race. The eight-year-old has attracted significant betting support, currently the best price of 9/2 for the contest.
The Gavin Cromwell-trained Now Is The Hour has attracted significant betting support, being shortened to as low as 3/1 for the National Hunt Novices Chase at the Cheltenham Festival after securing qualification for the race over the weekend. The eight-year-old finished fourth behind Three Card Brag at Navan on Saturday at odds of 20/1 and was initially considered a long shot at 33/1 for the National Hunt Chase.
However, his odds have dramatically shortened, with the current best price standing at 9/2 for the Cheltenham contest.This year's Festival sees a significant change for the race, as it transitions into a novice handicap and opens its doors to professional jockeys, breaking away from its previous restriction to amateur riders. Irish trainers have established a dominant presence in the race in recent years, claiming seven out of the last eight renewals. Now Is The Hour has been assigned a mark of 135 by the Irish handicapper, a ten-pound increase following his performance at Navan.The son of Westerner boasts a strong record, having secured back-to-back victories over hurdles last year. He won a maiden at Fairyhouse before convincingly winning a Grade 2 race at Haydock by 17 lengths. Now Is The Hour has had four outings over fences, finishing second in a beginners chase at Cork last March. He was subsequently beaten by 48¼ lengths behind Ile Atlantique at Navan last month. He also finished fifth and 37¼ lengths behind Shannon Royale on New Year's Eve before Saturday's contest at Navan, where he was only defeated by four lengths. To qualify for the National Hunt Chase, a horse must finish in the top four of a chase staged over an extended two miles and seven and a half furlongs or further, which Now Is The Hour has now achieved. This, coupled with the substantial betting activity in recent days, suggests that the Cheltenham race is the long-term target for the horse.Meanwhile, Cromwell could be aiming for another major victory in England next weekend. Only By Night is a potential contender for the Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown, having missed an intended run at Thurles. Cromwell deemed the ground too quick for his charge prior to the Grade Two Carey Glass Irish EBF Mares Novice Chase. Only By Night has taken to fences with confidence, defeating Mirazur West at Tipperary before delivering an even more impressive performance in Grade Two company at Cork, where she outclassed Nara, who went on to win Sunday’s Thurles contest. Should Only By Night not travel to Sandown, Cromwell has the Opera Hat at Naas as an alternative option.“We walked the track and thought it was just too lively. After Keith (Donoghue) rode Millforce (to win the previous novice hurdle), he said they were just barely knocking the top off it,” said Cromwell. “She’s a big, heavy-shouldered mare and hits the ground hard. “There’s a Grade One in Sandown on Saturday week that we might give her an entry for and also the Opera Hat the following week, so she’ll probably go to one or the other.
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL NATIONAL HUNT NOVICES CHASE NOW IS THE HOUR GAVIN CROMWELL BETTING ODDS HORSE RACING
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