Bear Ghylls has attracted some support in the opening Ballymore Novices' Hurdle on day two of the Cheltenham Festival.

The Nicky Martin-trained gelding is unbeaten in four starts but takes a significant step up in class in the Grade 1 contest having won in handicap company last time.

He is faced by a couple of strong Irish challengers in Bob Olinger and Gaillard Du Mesnil who head the market for the two-mile-five contest

Betfair Spokesman, Barry Orr commented this morning: ‘’In the opening Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at 1.20pm, the undefeated Bear Ghylls, has attracted plenty of support and is now 9/1 from 16/1 to give Somerset trainer, Nicky Martin a Festival winner’’

‘’The Willie Mullins juggernaut rolls on thought with Monkfish in the 1.55pm, and Chacun Pour Soi in the feature, Queen Mum Champion Chase, both short priced favourites and being doubled up by punters at combined odds of 11/8 against’’

‘’Plenty of punters are making it a treble with the third short priced favourite of the day, Easyland in the X-Country. The treble is currently paying 7/2 and it would be a bad day for the Bookies should all 3 win.”

Festival Specials

Prestbury Cup: 1/16 Ireland (was 1/4) , 10/1 Great Britain (was 7/2) , 12/1 Tie (was 15/2) Ireland lead 5-2

 Cheltenham Festival Top Trainer — Betfair Betting: 1/8 Willie Mullins (was 1/5) 7/1 Henry De Bromhead, 10/1 Denise Foster, 14/1 Nicky Henderson 50/1 Paul Nicholls

Cheltenham Festival Top jockey — Betfair Betting  4/11 Paul Townend (was 1/3) , 3/1 Jack Kennedy (was 9/2)  6/1 Rachael Blackmore, 20/1 Nico de Boinville, 50/1 Aidan Coleman, 66/1 Harry Cobden (was 25/1)