BOOKIES are already having sleepless nights over these four superstars set to light up the National Hunt season.
The jumps officially get underway this weekend with a two-day meeting at Chepstow starting on Friday.
Then there is the first Cheltenham meeting at the end of the month before things really kick off with the November meeting at the same track.
One market already popular with punters eager to get on horses at huge prices is the Cheltenham Festival ante post.
A quick scan of the markets shows a number of runners plummeting in odds on the back of progressive runs – or word of mouth.
But who are the real eyecatchers to keep at the top of the tracker this winter?
And who is already causing a wave of panic with bookies?
SunSport spoke to Betfair‘s Barry Orr to find out.
Jonbon – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
From 33-1 to 7-1
This record-breaking £570,000 purchase – a brother of Douvan – was mightily impressive in his first run under rules.
The JP McManus-owned star backed up the 5-6 price, routing rivals at Newbury last March.
His price has since been slashed for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Nicky Henderson said of Jonbon: “We are very lucky to be sent horses like this, and you’ve got to say you feel the pressure that comes with it.”
Orr said: “Punters love backing novices. Jonbon is by far our biggest liability at the moment, over double the next biggest.”
Galopin Des Champs – Festival Novices’ Chase
25-1 to 7-1
Already a Cheltenham Festival winner in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle, this Willie Mullins horse is fancied as a novice chaser this season.
He backed up the Festival victory with a Grade 1 win at Punchestown in April and looks made for the bigger obstacles.
Bob Olinger – Marsh Novices’ Chase
20-1 to 7-2
Labelled a ‘God-given certainty’ by Jamie Codd before victory in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, punters are going in again for Henry de Bromhead’s runner.
A massively impressive performance over hurdles in 2021, punters reckon he’ll quash all before when he sent over fences too.
Things just keep getting better for @rachaelblackmor and @HenrydeBromhead!
Bob Olinger powers away to win the opener on Day Two of The Festival
– the @weareballymore Novices' Hurdle
pic.twitter.com/RZ7DFRmZLW
— The Jockey Club (@TheJockeyClub) March 17, 2021
Kilcruit – Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
7-1 to 4-1
Yep, another Mullins horse strongly fancied to deliver next March.
Kilcruit came second to Sir Gerhard in the Champion Bumper before reversing form in a Grade 1 the following month at Punchestown.
Jonbon (8-1), Sir Gerhard (14-1) and Classic Getaway (16-1) could provide the main opposition.
Orr said: “Cheltenham is by far the biggest ante post punt for customers who love to pick value out early and get rewarded with big odds.”
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