Racing: Cash for Hustler

THOSE punters who believe in market forces need look no further for the winner of today's King George than Young Hustler. A 6-1 chance with Ladbrokes when they opened their betting on 13 December, he closed in to 4-1 after his victory in the Betterware Chase at Ascot the following Saturday and has been steadily supported down to 3-1 since. Yesterday, Ladbrokes and William Hill joined Coral in making him clear favourite, not through shortening his odds but because lack of backing for The Fellow has caused his odds to be extended to 100-30 from 3-1. Ladbrokes have also cut Bradbury Star to 9-2 from 7-1, but moving in the other direction is Barton Bank, 5-1 from 9-2 yesterday, after opening as the 9-4 favourite.