HOUR POWER
Gavin Cromwell horse absolutely destroyed in Cheltenham betting from 33-1 to 3-1 after eye-catching finish
It looks like one of the handicaps is the plan
A GAVIN CROMWELL horse has been absolutely destroyed in the Cheltenham Festival betting from 33-1 to 3-1 - after an eye-catching fourth-place finish last time out.
Now Is The Hour has been the subject of an almighty gamble in the National Hunt Chase - one of several Festival races changed for 2025.
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Available at 33s three days ago with Bet365, the eight-year-old gelding is now 4-1 with them but 3s with Paddy Power.
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Winner of a Grade 2 Novice Hurdle at Haydock last February, Now Is The Hour has hardly set the world alight over fences this season.
He was pumped 48 lengths by Ile Atlantique in a 2m4½f chase at Navan before being beaten 37 lengths over 3m when next seen at Punchestown.
But it was his most recent run last Saturday - where he again finished out the places - that appears to have prompted his market plunge.
Sent off 20-1 under Keith Donoghue, Now Is The Hour was held up before making smooth headway four from home.
Now Is The Hour kept on well in the closing stages of the 3m contest on soft, being beaten four lengths by the highly regarded Three Card Brag.
Since then his price has collapsed and he is now clear favourite for the revamped National Hunt Chase, which is now a handicap for novices.
Not a great deal is known about the horse but jockey Sean Flanagan said after that Haydock romp: "Now Is The Hour really enjoys this type of ground (heavy).
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"I got into a nice rhythm and he came home well. He's a nice prospect."
A 3m point-to-point winner, Now Is The Hour was runner-up to Willie Mullins' talented Asian Master on his second run in that sphere.
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His two wins over hurdles came on soft and heavy, with his best performance that gruelling Haydock slog on a track that gets notoriously testing.
National Hunt Novice Chase odds via Paddy Power
3-1 Now Is The Hour
7-1 Haiti Couleurs
9-1 Shannon Royale
10-1 Transmission
14-1 Sa Majeste, Cleatus Poolaw
16-1 Inthewaterside, Search For Glory, Mossy Fen Park
20-1 Bar
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