Bookies Enemy No1 lands huge 50/1 (SP) Cheltenham winner after advising at 33/1

Cheltenham Festival always throws up big-priced surprises, but few expected the JCB Triumph Hurdle to fall to Apolon De Charnie at 50/1. However, members of the Bookies Enemy No1 service were already on the horse after it had been advised at 33/1 earlier in the week.

While most tipsters focused on the more obvious contenders in the race, Apolon De Charnie had quietly caught the eye through previous form and the powerful connections behind him, making him a value play at a big price.

The Willie Mullins-trained outsider produced a powerful late run up the Cheltenham hill under Patrick Mullins to land the race, delivering a huge return for those who secured the advised odds.

The form angle most people overlooked

Apolon De Charnie was one of two horses bought by the Willie Mullins team after a hurdle race at Auteuil in France last year. The other horse taken from that race was the winner, Proactif, who is now owned by JP McManus and went into the Triumph Hurdle as one of the favourites.

Looking back at that Auteuil race closely revealed something interesting. Apolon De Charnie was the only horse to make ground from the rear, finishing around six lengths behind the winner despite being given a very patient ride.

With a more prominent position in the race, there was every chance he would have finished much closer to the winner, if not even beaten him.

The difference in market perception came from the fact that Proactif had since returned to win again in dominant fashion, boosting his reputation and making him a leading fancy for the Triumph. Meanwhile, Apolon De Charnie had not been seen since that run back in September, leaving punters unsure about his wellbeing and readiness.

That uncertainty pushed his odds out to a massive price.

The Mullins factor

However, there was one key factor that could not be ignored – the Willie Mullins yard.

Time and time again Mullins runners prove capable of running big races regardless of how long they have been off the track or how big their price appears to be.

Last year’s Triumph Hurdle provided the perfect example when Poniros won for the yard at odds of 100/1 after returning from a lengthy break. He was one of eleven Mullins runners in the race and started at the biggest price of them all bar one.

Mullins has also dominated the race in recent years, winning the Triumph Hurdle four years in a row and five of the last six renewals.

That level of dominance alone suggested it was dangerous to ignore any of his runners at a big price.

Patrick Mullins takes the ride

Another positive was the booking of Patrick Mullins. The champion trainer’s son is a highly accomplished amateur rider with an outstanding strike-rate of around 35 percent, and he was given the opportunity to partner Apolon De Charnie on the big stage.

With the ground also turning softer overnight, conditions looked likely to suit the horse and enhance his chances of running a big race at generous odds.

Taken together, the form clues, the trainer’s incredible record in the race and the value price in the market made Apolon De Charnie a horse worth risking at 33/1.

A massive Cheltenham payday

As the race unfolded, Apolon De Charnie travelled strongly before producing a powerful run up the hill to cause one of the shocks of the festival at 50/1.

For followers of the Bookies Enemy No1 service, the result was a huge payday and another example of the value approach that underpins the selections.

While many tipsters overlooked the horse entirely, those who secured the advised odds were able to celebrate landing one of the biggest-priced winners of the Cheltenham Festival.