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A local bookie is doing a roaring trade taking bets on the result of next month’s much anticipated race ‘The New Hospital Classic’.
Kempton Parke said that punters were already placing significant sums on the outcome of the high-stakes’ steeplechase.
The 804 Million Guinea race was set to take place next Thursday but it has recently been pushed back 12 days, which will only serve to amplify the expectation.
Longest price remains the weighty knacker ‘Plan As It Stands’, a £1 bn-1 outsider which has performed well in previous races but looks likely to fall at the last jump, Binet’s Brook.
Other runners include ‘Kensington Block’ whose odds have been shortening on a daily basis since it overtook ‘Andium Homes’ recently in the last furlong of the Development Hurdles at New-to-Market.
‘Still-at-Overdale-But-Smaller’ is another horse rising up the stakes although no one knows how much capability this horse will have after shedding so many pounds.
A few dyed-in-the-wool gamblers are still backing ‘It’s Got To Be Warwick’, ‘Back to the Park’ and ‘Isn’t The Waterfront Obvious?’ but seasoned punters are steering clear.
Likewise, ‘Outpatients at Ouaisne’ is not being taken too seriously.
The Favourite remains ‘Hybrid Fudge’ which people are backing for its smaller profile and more affordable odds.
This horse was last in serious contention in 2012 and was close to winning a race then, before being pipped at the post by ‘Giant Gloucester’.
However, the winning horse later had its title stripped away at two subsequent stewards’ enquiries.
The New Hospital Classic could be the race of the century, with high hurdles and deep water to negotiate.
It remains to be seen which runner will finally make it over the line.
