ALL BETS ON OLI
Former 2007 British team members Oliver
Townend and Flint Curtis (no 110) are currently the favourites
(4/1) to win The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials. The
combination, third here in three years ago, head off to
cross-country in third place just two penalties behind dressage
leaders Karin Donkers (BEL) and Gazelle de la Brasserie. Previously
14/1 odds on Gazelle have shortened this morning to 6/1 with
on-site bookie Neil Astor from Oxford.
Lucy Wiegersma and Shaabrak, who last year
lost the Mitsubishi Motors trophy to Frenchman Nicolas Touzaint by
just 1.4 penalties, are currently second at the end of dressage and
are 9/2 to win this year. Zara Phillips and Toytown are 5/1, while
William Fox-Pitt and Idalgo are 6/1. Money has also come in for
British-based Australian Paul Tapner and the good-looking Stormhill
Michael in 13th place who are 7/1. After a good
dressage test odds on Italian first-timer Roberto Rotatori and
Della M Irham de Vaiges have shortened dramatically from 100/1 to
10/1.
A steady stream of traffic has been coming
into the park since 07.00am and thousands of spectators are now
filing out on to the course in anticipation of a day of exciting
and top-class competition. The ground on the cross-country course
is perfect and the weather dry and cool providing optimum
conditions for horses and riders.