Ballymore Novices' Hurdle Betting Tips

Before assembling your best Ballymore Novices' Hurdle betting tips, it may prove helpful to get a brief breakdown of the history of this race, how it came to be, and why it remains such a popular betting event.

Open to horses aged four and above, the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle takes place over 2 miles and five furlongs over ten hurdles.

Eight of the last eleven runnings of this race have been won by an Irish horse, with four of the past six winners coming in as short-priced favourites.

Ballymore Novices Hurdle Betting Odds

1.30 - Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m5f)

Number of Runners: 8

**Favourite: Ballyburn - 2/5

The Gallagher lacks the same strength in depth we often see and the door is open for BALLYBURN to justify prohibitively short odds following an impressive Grade 1 strike over two miles at the Dublin Racing Festival. On pedigree this extra five furlongs should suit him even better.

Ile Atlantique, who is a smart performer in his own right and almost struck at the highest level when last seen, is taken to follow home his stablemate.

Selection: Ballyburn to win - 2/5

Understanding the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle

A race brimming with classic match-ups and encounters down the years, the inaugural event was held in 1971 and is now the first race of the second day at Cheltenham.

The race is often seen as a benchmark for future Champion Hurdle contenders and can count the likes of Envoi Allen (2020), Samcro (2018), and Faugheen (2014) as those finishing first past the post.

Some see this race as one of the strongest of the four Novices Hurdles at the 2024 festival.

Top Ballymore Novices' Hurdle Contenders

Our Cheltenham Ballymore Novices hurdle tips will centre around a couple of frontrunners and one bigger-priced sort in what looks set to be a highly competitive race.

Standing tall at the top of the market is Ballymore, trained by Willie Mullins, who has a phenomenal record in this race, with six winners to his name.

At the time of writing, it is another Mullins horse who is sat in second place. However, it is expected that Ballyburn and Mystical Power will race in different races rather than against each other as Mullins looks to claim victory in both races.

It may also be worth watching Readin Tommy Wrong, trained by Mullins. The 6-year-old edged past the competition in the grade 1 novice hurdle at Naas last time out and the Maiden hurdle at Cork before that. It doesn't matter how they win, just that they do and Readin' Tommy Wrong is definitely worth a look after wins in his last four.

Ballymore Novices' Hurdle Betting Tips

Types of Bets Available

Looking to act on one of your Cheltenham Ballymore Novices Hurdle tips? Check out the different types of bets available below.

Win Bet Fancy a horse to win a race outright? This is the bet for you! You are punting on your fancy to cross the finishing line first, and you will get winnings according to the odds.

Each Way Bet Double the stake for a chance at winnings, even if your horse doesn't finish first past the post. One half of your stake goes on the Win Part, and the other half on the Place Part, which refers to 2nd or 3rd-placed finishers. In some instances, including special offers on the biggest races, Place Parts can extend to up to seven places. Most races will reduce each-way odds for the place part by pre-defined amounts. For example, if you back a horse £5 each way (total stake £10) at odds of 5/1 with a 1/5 pre-race definition, your returns will amount to £10. If it wins, you will win £40 in total.

Place Bet Your returns will only amount to the odds of the horse finishing in the places. That means you are getting much-reduced odds in comparison to the Win Bet. It's a much safer flutter, but the returns are greatly reduced.

Strategies for betting on the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle

Players can follow many strategies to maximise their chances of returning a winning bet from the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle. Here are a few of them:

Assessing The Form of the Horses The Cheltenham Festival is often called the greatest show on turf and celebrates the best in the business. But many of these runners have worked hard throughout the season to earn a right to race here.

That's why assessing the recent form of all horses is crucial before landing on a pick. Watch replays of recent performances, check out the record of the jockey booked for riding, and look into its pedigree to give you a clear picture of the horse.

Identifying the Value Bets The best value bets in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle will revolve around the horses you deem overpriced. Has the handicapper been generous? Does the rating make sense?

Bankroll management Like all gambling, setting deposit limits, loss limits, and time-out safeguards are critical to ensuring a safe and fun Cheltenham experience. Only spend what you can afford to lose.

Factors to Consider When Looking for Tips

Plenty of different aspects of a race require contemplation! Some of them include:

Ground Conditions Some horses prefer give in the ground. If you are backing a horse that thrives in stamina-testing slogs, you will be hoping for heavy or soft racing ground. If your horse is a speedster, you will be looking for some dry weather in the build-up to the festival.

Many horses can act on all types of turf, but ground conditions represent a crucial consideration for bettors ahead of the festival.

Weight Carried by the Horse Before the race, a handicapper assigns weight to horses to give each runner an equal chance of winning. In most cases, the best horses can see off additional weight and remain competitive at the head of affairs.

Sometimes you may think the handicapper has got it wrong, which can present an opportunity. That's why engaging in detailed assessments of your horse is crucial before any race.

Jockey's Riding Style Some jockeys like to bide their time on their horse before unleashing it down the home straight. Others like to lead from the front and attempt to wear down the field.

Consider if the jockey booked for your horse has the riding style to match its recent form.

Ballymore Novices' Hurdle Tips, Trends and Statistics

Historical Trends and Statistics

Six-year-olds have won the Ballymore in 15 of the last 17 runnings of this race.
Only one winner has returned odds of 8/1 or more since 2007. No winner of the Ballymore Hurdle has been rated below 146 over the previous ten years.

Analysis of Recent Results A race whereby class is a factor, and it will take some going to find a winner in 2024, given the vast swathes of quality on show.

How to Use Trends and Statistics to Pick Your Tips

Ultimately, your interpretation of the recent form of the horse, the rating, the jockey, the ground, the conditions, and much more should come under the umbrella of your betting strategy.

No definite method guarantees a profit, but in-depth research is vital to giving you the best chance possible of succeeding.

*ODDS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Ballymore Novices Hurdle FAQ

When is the Ballymore Novices Hurdle?

The Ballymore Novices Hurdle takes place at 1.30 pm on Wednesday 13th March.

Who is the Favourite to Win the 2024 Renewal?

The current favourite to win the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle is the Willie Mullins-trained Ballyburn.

Who Won the 2023 Renewal of the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle?

The short-priced Impaire Et Passe won last time out ahead of Gaelic Warrior and Champ Kiely as Willie Mullins picked up a 1-2-3 in this race last year.

What is the Distance of the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle?

Horses battle it out over a testing 2 mile 5-furlong course.

Who is the Most Successful Trainer in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle?

Willie Mullins has trained six winners in this race – Impaire Et Passe (2023), Sir Gerhard (2022), Yorkhill (2016), Faugheen (2014), Mikael d'Haguenet (2009), and Fiveforthree (2008).