Bookies report ‘odds crashing’ on several Willie Mullins Grand National Festival horses in fight against Nicky Henderson
BOOKIES have reported ‘odds crashing’ on several Willie Mullins runners at the Grand National Festival – as he gears up for a monster fight with old foe Nicky Henderson.
BoyleSports say their customers are backing the Irish genius to get the better of Hendo in their Aintree showdowns.
And it looks like Lossiemouth – who swerved the calamitous Champion Hurdle to win the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham – is attracting the most support of the lot.
Hendo’s previously unbeaten Constitution Hill is out to make amends for his shocking Champion Hurdle fall.
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Michael Buckley’s awesome jumper won the 2m4f Aintree Hurdle in 2023 but it was probably his most underwhelming performance to date.
While Lossiemouth, despite being trained as a 2m Grade 1 horse all season, looks naturally at home over two-and-a-half.
Constitution Hill put her in her place when they met at Christmas – but punters fancy a reverse this time round.
Lossiemouth has been backed into 13-8 from 15-8 while Con Hill remains the 8-11 fav.
And it appears the same can be said for El Fabiolo in his match against Jonbon.
Henderson’s top 2m chaser saw his Cheltenham hoodoo strike again in the Champion Chase, where he was walloped 18 lengths by Marine Nationale.
Jonbon was rated 171 for that race but had the lowly 160-rated Captain Guinness just a length-and-a-quarter behind him.
He’ll need to up his game to get the better of an admittedly out of sorts El Fabiolo, who beat Jonbon in the 2023 Arkle before losing to him in the 2024 Celebration Chase at Sandown.
BoyleSports said 13-2 odds of El Fabiolo ‘crashed’ into 11-4 after just four runners were declared for Friday’s Grade 1 Melling Chase.
While Jonbon remains at the head of the market at 8-13.
Brian O’Keeffe, spokesperson for BoyleSports, said: “Redemption may await for Nicky Henderson and his stable stars at Aintree, but the market is once again trending in favour of Willie Mullins and Lossiemouth is leading the charge for the Closutton maestro.”
Mullins has also seen a huge gamble build on I Am Maximus, who will defend his Grand National crown on Saturday.
William Hill make him their new favourite for the £1million race at 8-1.
Elsewhere, the Closutton boss’ Impaire Et Passe is coming in for support in Thursday’s Manifesto Novices’ Chase, where he will take on Hendo’s Arkle winner and current 5-2 fav Jango Baie.
Martin Pipe buzz horse Kopeck De Mee disappointed but he is being turned out quickly again and is being backed for Friday’s William Hill Handicap Hurdle, where his odds of 7-1 could tighten up some more.
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