Coral bookmakers have gone out on a limb by pricing up five of the handicap races at Cheltenham before the weights have been published.
The Barking firm this afternoon issued their opening set of ante-post odds on the County Hurdle, the Coral Cup, the Mildmay Of Flete, the William Hill Handicap Chase and the Grand Annual.
Tote Gold Trophy winner Geos is 8-1 favourite for the Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle with Back On Top and Copeland next best at 12-1.
In the Coral Cup, the sponsors make Teaatral market leader at 10-1 with Phariwarmer, Brandon Court, Darapour and Heros Fatal all on 12-1.
In the Mildmay of Flete Handicap Chase, Native Charm, Wayward King and Boardroom Shuffle share 10-1 co-favouritism.
Coral make Aghawadda Gold 4-1 best for the Grand Annual Handicap Chase with Amancio 7-1.
And in the William Hill Handicap Chase, Coral make Red Marauder their 8-1 favourite from Marlborough at 10-1.
"The Festival Handicaps are some of the best betting races of the whole year," said Coral spokesman Simon Clare.
"Betting on the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and Gold Cup has all but dried up so we were keen to give our customers some new races to get their teeth into.
"Pricing up races before the weights come out is a big challenge but these are such competitive events that the benefits easily outweigh the risks", added Clare.
Weights for the Cheltenham handicaps are announced on Wednesday week.
Coral Cup: 10-1 Teaatral, 12-1 Brandon Court, Phariwarmer, Heros Fatal, Darapour, 14-1 Ilahabad, Crocadee, 16-1 Doctor Goddard, Generosa, Ross Moff, Santabless, 20-1 Carlovent, Arkley Royal, Boley Lad, The Gatherer, Kilbride Lad, Major Adventure, Miltonfield, Mr Percy, 25-1 bar.
Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle: 8-1 Geos, 12-1 Back On Top, Copeland, 14-1 Spokesman, Mantles Prince, Minivet, Afarad, Auetaler, 16-1 Balla Sola, Master Tern, 20-1 Dhaudeloup, Redemption, Rainbow Frontier, Deep Water, Experimental, La Landiere, 25-1 bar.
William Hill Handicap Chase: 8-1 Red Marauder, 10-1 Marlborough, 12-1 Shannon Gale, Collier Bay, Niki Dee, 14-1 Ambleside, Bettys Boy, Mickos Dream, Scotia Nostra, Stormyfairweather, Sweet Lord, 16-1 Spendid, Star Traveller, Edmond, Fiddling The Facts, Bouchasson, Tremallt, 20-1 bar.
Mildmay Of Flete Chase: 10-1 Boardroom Shuffle, Native Charm, Wayward King, 14-1 Makounji, Royal Predica, Sir Dante, Lady Cricket, Ashwell Boy, 16-1 Wise King, Avanti Express, Buckland Lad, Cockney Lad, Easter Ross, Northern Starlight, Its Time For A Win, 20-1 bar.
Grand Annual Handicap Chase: 4-1 Aghawadda Gold, 7-1 Amancio, 8-1 Irbee, 12-1 Amberleigh House, Commanche Court, 14-1 Dantes Cavalier, Hurricane Lamp, Lake Kariba, 16-1 Whip Hand, Dines, Green Green Desert, 20-1 bar.
