The William Hill Christmas Hurdle horse racing betting, a Grade 1 race at Kempton on Boxing Day, December 26th has seen a bit of jostling for position in the odds. Heading the field for the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, part of the King George meeting, is Binocular. The ever popular Binocular has taken a lead in the ante post betting for the race, and what was supposed to be the main challenger to stop Binocular defending his title in the race, Overturn, is now being bullied by Rock On Ruby in the market. There really is little to split all three actually in general betting across the board, with bookies unsure of who this one is going to run. The general conscensus is though that the William Hill Christmas Hurdle is going to be a three horse race. Binocular and Overturn gave us a treat back in January, in the race which was postponed from last Decemebr. Binocular was triumphant over Overturn on that occasion and the two are thrust back together for this year’s renewal of the race, the warm up to the King George VI Chase.
The Nicky Henderson trained Binocular backed up that Kempton triumph with at Sandown in February, but has fired in three missed opportunities since. The most recent marker in this duel between them, was at Newcastle on November 26th, when Overturn got the better of Binocular by nearly five lengths. What could be swinging things back to Binocular’s favour however, is that Overturn has been very busy over the last month or so, so Bincolur will be the fresher of the two horses for the 2 mile Christmas Hurdle. Overturn has pretty much been ran into the ground, running four races since the end of August, and one as recent as December 10th. However, the quality is there because he has rattled off three victories in those four races, including having Binocular totally in his pocket at Newcastle. Overturn is the better of the two horses, but trainer Donald McCain is really pushing him to his limits. Will that work against Overturn on Boxing Day? Overturn was outpaced by Grandouet at Cheltenham at the start of December in the Stan James Interntaional Hurdle, so with all things weighed up, probably is going to be on an even keel with Binocular.
Then with have the appearance of Rock On Ruby, who has the potential to put both of the above in the shadows. With a win at Newbury at the end of November, the Paul Nicholls trained charge should give a very good run here, and has attracted a lot of interest and movement in the Christmas Hurdle horse racing betting odds. I think at the end of the day, that Rock On Rubyis probably going to pose more of a threat in the race to Overturn that what Binocular is. Then, because of Overturn’s work rate, it should mean that Rock on Ruby is probably in with a very good shout and that is what punters are clearly attracted to for 2011 Christmas Hurdle betting. Bit of an unven looking field to be honest, it should be one of the big three.
2011 William Hll Christmas Hurdle Betting Odds
Binocular: 9/4 at Coral
Rock on Ruby: 9/4 at Bet365
Overturn: 5/2 at Totesport
Sanctuaire: 20/1at SkyBet
Clerks Choice: 25/1 at Ladbrokes
Olofi: 33/1 at Ladbrokes
Drill Sergeant: 33/1 at Bet365
This race is being shown on Channel 4 on Boxing Day and that means that it falls under Bet365’s 4/1 winner promotion. Back a winner at odds of 4/1 or greater, in any live televised race on either Channel 4 or the BB, and the bookie will give you a free bet. The free bet will be to the value of your winning stake, and it will be used on the next race. If your free bet wins a selection at 4/1 or greater, then the bookie will hand you out another free bet. You can keep going like these, racking up the free bets as long as you keep picking out 4/1 winners or greater on live televised races at the BCC or C4. Bet365 also provide Best Guaranteed odds on their horse racing betting, and offer a free £200 bet for new customers registering an account. The bookie will match the value of your first deposit on a new account, up to the maximum value of £200.
