“Nearly all of the early bets in this market were for Reading and as things stand it is still the most popular selection, but as the final decision nears, a few more names are entering the frame,” said Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly.

Diamond Jubilee City Status Odds: 10/11 Reading; 8/1 Perth; 10/1 Middlesbrough; 14/1 Doncaster; 14/1 Bournemouth; 14/1 Dudley; 14/1 Medway; 16/1 Milton Keynes; 16/1 Luton; 16/1 Gateshead; 18/1 Chelmsford; 18/1 Bolton; 20/1 Colchester; 25/1 Wrexham; 25/1 Southend; 25/1 Croydon; 25/1 Stockport; 25/1 Tower Hamlets; 25/1 Coleraine; 25/1 Dorchester; 33/1 St Asaph; 33/1 St Austell; 50/1 Corby; 50/1 Craigavon; 50/1 Goole

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William Hill quote Dai Walters’s star at 5-1 for the long-distance Cheltenham crown, whilst he is 7-4 favourite in their ‘betting without Big Buck’s’ market. With Nicky Henderson not ruling Oscar Whisky out of another Champion Hurdle attempt, the firm quote the son of Oscar at 9-2 to win at the Festival.

The bookmaking sponsors have priced up a number of Seven Barrows specials, where Henderson is 7-4 favourite to be leading trainer at the March highlight and 3-1 to train the winner of the Champion Hurdle.

William Hill spokeswoman Lucy Rhodes said “Cheltenham stars Oscar Whisky and Sprinter Sacre were both winners on William Hill Welsh Champion Hurdle day last year and it’ll be exciting to see what other future champions Nicky Henderson has lined up this time”

Who will train the most Cheltenham Festival winners? 8-11 Nicky Henderson vs Even money Paul Nicholls

Nicky Henderson to train the winner of the Stan James Champion Hurdle: 3-1

Nicky Henderson to train the winner of the William Hill Supreme Novices’ Hurdle: 3-1

Number of Nicky Henderson-trained winners in the 2011/12 season:

149 or less          8-1

150 to 159          10-3

160 to 169          2-1

170 to 179          9-4

180 or more       5-1

To win at the Cheltenham Festival: 5-2 Grands Crus, 4-1 Fingal Bay, Voler La Vedette, 9-2 Oscar Whisky, Peddlers Cross, 6-1 Al Ferof, Noble Prince, Boston Bob, Somersby, 7-1 Simonsig, 8-1 Bog Warrior, Make Your Mark, Rubi Light, Silviniaco Conti, 10-1 Captain Chris, Captain Conan, Champion Court, Cue Card, Sir Des Champs, Thousand Stars, 14-1 Sous le Cieux, 16-1 Hidden Cyclone, (EW 1/4 1,2,3)

Sprinter Sacre to win Queen Mother Champion Chase 2013: 7-1

Cheltenham Festival Thomas Pink Leading Trainer Award (William Hill bet): 7-4 Nicky Henderson, 15-8 Willie Mullins, 2-1 Paul Nicholls, 25-1 Philip Hobbs, 33-1 Alan King, Donald McCain, 40-1 David Pipe, 50-1 Gordon Elliot, Jonjo O’Neill, Nigel Twiston-Davies, Noel Meade

Cheltenham Festival Thomas Pink Leading Jockey Award (William Hill bet): 8-11 Ruby Walsh, 11-4 Barry Geraghty, 8-1 AP McCoy, 14-1 Richard Johnson, 16-1 Robert Thornton, 20-1 Jason Maguire, Paul Townend, 25-1 Davy Russell, 33-1 Andrew Lynch, Daryl Jacob, 50-1 Paul Carberry, Sam Twiston-Davies, Tom Scudamore, 100-1 Nina Carberry

National Hunt Trainers’ Championship 2011/12: 1-3 Paul Nicholls, 9-4 Nicky Henderson

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL BETTING FROM WILLIAM HILL

Ladbrokes World Hurdle: 4-7 Big Bucks, 5-1 Oscar Whisky, 9-1 Thousand Stars, 12-1 Quevega, Voler La Vedette, 14-1 Bob’s Worth, Mourad, Mikael D’Haguenet, 16-1 So Young, Zaidpour, 20-1 Dynaste, Tidal Bay, 25-1 Carlito Brigante, Our Father, Poungach, Smad Place, 33-1 Celestial Halo, Featherbed Lane, Final Approach, Five Dream, King Of The Night, Restless Harry, 40-1 BAR (EW ¼ 1,2,3)

World Hurdle (betting without Big Buck’s) 7-4 Oscar Whisky, 4-1 Thousand Stars, 11-2 Voler La Vedette, 6-1 Quevega, 7-1 Bobs Worth, Mikael D’Haguenet, Mourad, So Young, 8-1 Zaidpour, 10-1 Dynaste, Tidal Bay, 12-1 Carlito Brigante, Five Dream, Smad Place, Our Father, 14-1 Celestial Halo, Featherbed Lane, Final Approach, King of the Knight, Poungach, Restless Harry, 16-1 BAR  (EW 1/4 1,2,3)

Stan James Champion Hurdle: 7-4 Hurricane Fly, 11-2 Grandouet, 7-1 Zarkandar, 8-1 Binocular, 10-1 Rock On Ruby, 12-1 Oscars Well, Unaccompanied, 16-1 Oscar Whisky, 20-1 Thousand Stars, 25-1 Brampour, Overturn, 33-1 Peddlers Cross, So Young, 40-1 Final Approach, 50-1 BAR (EW ¼ 1,2,3)

William Hill Supreme Novices’ Hurdle: 9-1 Steps To Freedom, 10-1 Captain Conan, 12-1 Cinders And Ashes, Darlan, 14-1 Galileo’s Choice, Simonsig, 16-1 Allure Of Illusion, Cash And Go, Colour Squadron, Midnight Game, Montbazon, Sous Les Cieux, 20-1 All The Aces, Molotof, Prospect Wells, Tetlami, Vulcanite, 25-1 Dylan Ross, 33-1 Hazy Tom, Il Fenomeno, Ted Spread, 40-1 Knight Pass (EW 1/4 1,2,3)

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In what looks the most competitive title-race seen for years, 2011 winner Willie Mullins, who was priced originally quoted at 13-2 prior to last year’s success, is now 15-8 second-favourite. The champion Irish handler was subject to significant support in the run-up to last year’s Festival.

UK Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls is third in the betting at 2-1 with William Hill, the biggest price the Ditcheat maestro has been quoted in recent years.

William Hill spokeswoman Lucy Rhodes said “We foolishly underestimated Willie Mullins last year, and will certainly be taking no chances over the defending champion this time around, however this looks one of the most competitive title-races seen for as long as we can remember“

Cheltenham Festival Thomas Pink Leading Trainer Award (William Hill bet): 7-4 Nicky Henderson, 15-8 Willie Mullins, 2-1 Paul Nicholls, 25-1 Philip Hobbs, 33-1 Alan King, Donald McCain, 40-1 David Pipe, 50-1 Gordon Elliot, Jonjo O’Neill, Nigel Twiston-Davies, Noel Meade

William Hill have also priced up the Thomas Pink Leading Jockey Award, where William Hill King George hero Ruby Walsh, who has dominated the Cheltenham Festival for the past decade, is hot favourite at 8-11.

Barry Geraghty is next in the betting at 11-4, whilst 16-time Champion Jockey Tony McCoy is available at 8-1, ahead of Richard Johnson at 14-1.

This year’s Cheltenham Festival is set to be spiced up by exciting young jockeys on the scene, and William Hill quote Brendan Powell Jnr and Harry Derham at 20-1 to both ride a winner over the four-day National Hunt highlight.

Cheltenham Festival Thomas Pink Leading Jockey Award (William Hill bet): 8-11 Ruby Walsh, 11-4 Barry Geraghty, 8-1 AP McCoy, 14-1 Richard Johnson, 16-1 Robert Thornton, 20-1 Jason Maguire, Paul Townend, 25-1 Davy Russell, 33-1 Andrew Lynch, Daryl Jacob, 50-1 Paul Carberry, Sam Twiston-Davies, Tom Scudamore, 100-1 Nina Carberry

(win only – market will be settled on the number of winners, if there is a tie the greater number of second places will determine the winner, again if there is a tie the greatest number of third places will determine the winner – excludes Derby Charity Race)

Brendan Powell Jnr to ride a winner at the Cheltenham Festival: 4-1
Harry Derham to ride a winner at the Cheltenham Festival: 3-1

Brendan Powell Jnr & Harry Derham to ride a winner at the Cheltenham Festival: 20-1

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However, a host of Nicky Henderson challengers are queuing up to de-throne Willie Mullins’s star, headed by 11-2 second-favourite Grandouet. 2010 hero Binocular is priced at 8-1 with the firm, alongside Supreme Novices’ Hurdle second Spirit Son.

William Hill quote the Seven Barrows handler at 15-8 to train the winner of the Champion Hurdle.

Last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner Zarkandar is also available at 8-1 ahead of fellow Paul Nicholls hopeful Rock On Ruby at 10-1. Triumph runner-up, the Dermot Weld-trained mare Unaccompanied, is quoted at 12-1.

William Hill spokeswoman Lucy Rhodes said “There’s no doubt that ‘The Fly’ will be a tough nut to crack, but it wouldn’t be the biggest shock to see him de-throned by the man who has won two of the last three Champion Hurdles“

Stan James Champion Hurdle: 2-1 Hurricane Fly, 11-2 Grandouet, 8-1 Binocular, Spirit Son, Zarkandar, 10-1 Rock On Ruby, 12-1 Unaccompanied, 16-1 Oscar Whisky, Oscars Well, 20-1 Thousand Stars, 25-1 Brampour, Overturn, 33-1 Peddlers Cross, So Young, 40-1 Final Approach, 50-1 Bobby Ewing, Celestial Halo, Mikael d’Haguenet, Starluck, Staying Article, Zaidpour, 66-1 BAR (EW ¼ 1,2,3)

CHAMPION HURDLE SPECIALS

Nicky Henderson to train the winner of the Champion Hurdle: 15-8

Paul Nicholls to train the winner of the Champion Hurdle: 7-2

A five-year-old winner of the Champion Hurdle: 2-1

Champion Hurdle match bet: 8-13 Eng vs Ireland 6-5

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We’re giving away £800 worth of tickets for Ffos Las on the 4th February which will feature the Welsh Champion Hurdle.

The Prizes:

•    10 x four Premier tickets to Ffos Las on Saturday 4th February 2012

Terms and conditions:

1.    Winners must be at least 18 years of age or over. Proof of age may be required.
2.    This prize is strictly non-refundable, non-exchangeable and does not include travel, accommodation or subsistence expenses.
3.    There is no cash alternative in lieu of tickets and alternative dates cannot be provided.
4.    Racing starts at 13:35 with the last race starting at 16:50. All race times may be subject to change. Please see www.ffoslasracecourse.com for further information.
5.    Dress code may apply. Please see the website for further information.
6.    The promoter accepts no responsibility for loss of items, injuries or accidents that may occur during the visit.
7.    If the prize becomes unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances, the promoter reserves the right to withdraw the prize and replace it with something of equal or greater value.
8.    Racecourse Terms of Entry apply. Please see www.ffoslasracecourse.com for further information.

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Buy your Tattersalls Enclosure tickets before Sunday 15th January and you’ll be watching the races at Haydock Park for just £10.

Book now at www.haydock-park.co.uk using promotional code HPWH212 to take advantage of this 50% off offer.

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Get two tickets for Ffos Las for just £20 to watch the Welsh Champion Hurdle on Saturday 4th February 2012.

To take advantage of this great offer simply ring 01554 811092 to book and quote promotional code William Hill 241.

Book now as this offer is only available until Thursday 2nd February.

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The reigning champion is 5-2 favourite with William Hill, whilst the rejuvenated Kauto Star is next in the betting at 4-1.

Grands Crus, also hot favourite for the RSA Chase, featured at the first entry stage and is priced at 8-1 with the firm for the Gold Cup, whilst 5-2 is available for David Pipe’s novice to win any race at the Festival.

Synchronised is quoted at 12-1 ahead of Captain Chris (14-1), Time For Rupert (16-1) and Weird Al (20-1).

William Hill spokeswoman Lucy Rhodes said “With Kauto Star and Long Run now two apiece this will definitely be a showdown to savour, with the interesting addition of novice Grands Crus adding further spice to an exciting field“

Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup: 5-2 Long Run, 4-1 Kauto Star, 8-1 Grand Crus, 12-1 Synchronised, 14-1 Captain Chris, 16-1 Time For Rupert, 20-1 Weird Al, 25-1 Diamond Harry, Jessies Dream, Quito De La Roque, 33-1 Albertas Run, Burton Port, Finian’s Rainbow, Medermit, 40-1 Bostons Angel, Quel Esprit, The Minack, What A Friend, 50-1 Midnight Chase, Poquelin, Tidal Bay, Wayward Prince, 66-1 Carruthers, China Rock, Hey Big Spender, Junior, 100-1 BAR (EW ¼ 1,2,3)

To win at the Cheltenham Festival: 5-2 Grands Crus, 4-1 Fingal Bay, Voler La Vedette, 5-1 Oscar Whisky, 11-2 Peddlers Cross, 6-1 Noble Prince, 7-1 Al Ferof, 8-1 Bog Warrior, Make Your Mark, Rubi Light, Silviniaco Conti, Simonsig, 9-1 Boston Bob, 10-1 Captain Chris, Captain Conan, Cue Card Thousand Stars, (EW 1/4 1,2,3)

VIEW OUR FULL RANGE OF HORSE RACING BETTING MARKETS

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In this exclusive offer for William Hill customers you can watch the William Hill Lanzarote Hurdle live this Saturday for just £5.

Decoy and Swincombe Flame lead the very close field at 7/1 with Featherbed Lane 8/1, Act of Kalanisi 9/1 and a trio of 10/1 behind them in the shape of Domtaline, Eastlake and Well Regarded. Get the latest Lanzarote Hurdle prices

To get into the racing at Kempton Park this Saturday for just a fiver simply quote promotional code KPLHFIVER when booking online at www.kempton.co.uk or on the phone 0844 579 3008

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The Hackney-based punter also picked two further 10-1 winners but sadly his fourth selection failed at 40-1.

The good news is the three winning selections returned just over £16,000, and despite being early January he is the firm favourite to win the William Hill’s ‘Unluckiest Punter of the Year’ award.

William Hill spokeswoman Lucy Rhodes said “It’s a bittersweet tale of betting for this punter who managed to pick two 10/1 winners and astonishing 200/1 shot – if the final horse had come in he would definitely be in the top 10 biggest winners on horse racing in our history.“

William Hill’s ‘Any Horse To Win With An SP Greater than 200/1 Before The End Of 2012?’ special has been cut to 100-1 from 200-1 following strong interest.

THE SELECTIONS

1.40 Taunton – Lights Of Broadway WON @ 200-1

3.25 Wolverhampton – Aviso WON @ 10-1

4.55 Wolverhampton – Picalily LOST @ 40-1

5.25 Wolverhampton – Complex WON @ 10-1

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