Monster gamble alert: The bookies can’t cut the price quick enough, 50-1 into 10-1!

There has been a monster gamble this morning at Cork. The second division of a three-mile handicap hurdle looks a competitive enough race on paper. The punters are only interested in a single runner, however.  The 4.45 is the race in question so when the ITV Racing is over, RTV on and let’s see if the gamble lands.

4.45 Cork – Mallow Handicap Hurdle Div II

The bookies are running for cover from Call Me Freddie. An opening price of 50/1 when the market opened last night is a thing of the past with 10/1 with bet365 the best price at time of writing and that is under pressure. There was 40/1 and 33/1 available freely at 9.50 this morning but by 10.50 the price was single figures almost all over with some even going 5/1.

The horse has not shown a lot of form so far, a second in a bumper at Carlisle the only notable piece of form in the book. Beaten a combined 106 lengths in his two handicaps so far, he has not been seen since December but the market clearly thinks he is ready to go.

It’s interesting that the handicapper has been slow enough to drop him, only three pounds lower than his most recent run which on paper would not look anything like enough. He is currently rated 85 which would be fair enough, however, if he can rediscover the level of form he showed with Jedd O’Keeffe.

It could be that this is something of a snowball effect but the bookies have been under pressure for the last hour and a bit to keep cutting the price as the money continues to come. Whatever happens, this has been a big and quick move and is worth watching closely with interest this afternoon.

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