Betfair Hurdle Preview

Evening all,

Inside today’s main piece I begin my look ahead to the weekend’s big race action. Plus, you’ll find a big-priced ante post swing for Saturday’s Betfair Hurdle.

Newbury’s Super Saturday

Mudlarks need apply for Saturday’s Betfair Hurdle. I mentioned in yesterday’s column that Newbury have issued a warning that Saturday’s big card is likely to be run with firm in the going description. The track can’t water the track and with no rain forecast you can see why they are advising trainers about the real possibility of quick ground.

Besides the Betfair Hurdle (3:35). There are also two Grade 2 on a seven race card. We have the Betfair Denman Chase (2:25) and the Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase (3:00).

Twenty three were left in the Betfair Hurdle at Monday’s final confirmation stage. Nine were left in the Denman Chase and eight were left in the Game Spirit Chase. If the quick ground does transpire, then were going to see some small fields particularly in the Grade 2 races.

The Denman Chase has been a notable trial for the Cheltenham Gold Cup This century the likes Kauto Star, Denman and Native River have also used the race as springboard to Gold Cup success.

Eldorado Allen won last year’s renewal before going onto finish third in the Ryanair Chase and was among the entries on Monday.

Altior gained a hat trick of wins in the Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase between 2017 & 2020. Altior’s trainer Nicky Henderson has Jonbon among this year’s entries. However, if Jonbon does run at the weekend, it will be at Warwick. He won’t be risked on the quick Newbury ground.

Last year’s race was won by the Venetia Williams trained Funambule Sivola who went onto finish runner-up to Energumene in the Champion Chase. The 8-year-old was left in the race on Monday and could bid for back to back successes in the race.

Betfair Hurdle (Handicap) (Premier Handicap) – 2m ½ f

For many years known as the Schweppes Gold Trophy before the Tote took over sponsorship in 1986. Plenty of big gambles have been landed in past renewals and for many years of its existence it used to be one of the biggest ante post races of the winter jumps campaign.

Today’s emphasis on the Cheltenham Festival means the race doesn’t quite have the same kudos as it once had. There’s £87,219 on offer to the winner but many connections would rather have runner in the less valuable County Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Five of the last ten winners of the race were returned 16/1 to 33/1 which shows this valuable handicap hurdle can throw up big-priced winners. One of those winners was Glory And Fortune (20/1) who won last year’s renewal. The 7-year-old was also a big trends buster. As he became the first none five or six year-old to be successful in the race since 2004.  He could well bid for back to back wins in the race.

Leading contenders:

Irish challenger Filey Bay has been well backed ante post (3/1). The 7-year-old, trained by Emmet Mullins, returned from a 409-day break to win in handicap debut at Doncaster (good) in November and followed up at Wincanton in December. He will be running in the colours of J P McManus for the first time on Saturday. He’s 7lb higher than when winning last time but there should be more to come from him over hurdles.

Next in the betting is Gin Coco (6/1) he’s been aimed at this race since finishing 2^nd of 13 to I Like To Move It in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham in November. A 90 day absence isn’t a concern as the lightly raced 7-year-old has a good record off a layoff. Has solid claims if in the same form as the Greatwood.

Hacker Des Places (6/1) has a 5lb penalty to carry for his win at Cheltenham two weeks ago. A strongly run race will suit and he’s one for the shortlist. Trainer Paul Nicholls also has Rubaud (12/1) among the entries. The 5-year-old won twice at Taunton in the autumn on good ground but was no match for Supreme Hurdle contender Rare Edition at Kempton over Christmas. A return to sounder surface will suit and he’s of interest on handicap debut.

Monviel (8/1) is having his first start since beating eight rivals in an Ascot handicap in November on his seasonal return. He got a 10lb rise in the weights for that success but is lightly raced and capable of more progress.

Top-weight First Street (16/1) won the Gerry Fielden Hurdle over C&D (good) in November and wasn’t disgraced when a 6 ¼ length 3^rd of 9 to stablemate Marie’s Rock in the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham last time.

Of those at bigger prices….

Faivoir (20/1) seems to have the ability to win a decent handicap pot. And the 8-year-old shaped with encouragement when a 12 ½ length 4^th of 14 to No Ordinary Joe at Kempton on his seasonal reappearance. He has a 7lb pull in the weights with that one so is entitled to be closer to that one.

Deere Mark (25/1) has won his last two at Hereford and Kempton both on soft ground. The latter success came on handicap hurdle debut. He’s been raised 6lb for his latest success. However, he’s the sort to be well suited by a strongly run race and is having only his fifth start over hurdles. Won a Herford bumper on good ground in October.

Willie Mullins left in Icare Allen (14/1) in the race on Monday. I’m doubtful he’ll come over, but the 5-year-old was a 5 ½ lengths 3^rd of 17 at Fairyhouse on his seasonal return/handicap debut last time.  If he can build on that performance there’s a handicap hurdle in him off around his present mark.

Betfair Hurdle Verdict:

Fingers crossed we manage to get 16 runners for this valuable handicap. Although I’m not sure we will if there’s firm in the going description. Filey Bay could still be well in but that’s reflected in his price. Gin Coco has solid 2m handicap hurdle form and should be fine on the ground. Rubaud could prove the pick of the Paul Nicholls pair. Monviel is going the right way and there could be more to come from the 6-year-old. Top-weight First Street has a touch of class and can’t be discounted. Deere Mark is one I like but his improved hurdles from has come on soft. If quick ground doesn’t inconvenience, he looks an ideal type for the race.

Normally I end these reviews without putting anything up and nothing has changed today but I nearly did. I couldn't resist the 50/1 available with Paddy Power on Faivoir (each way) on Monday.  Sadly, Tony Calvin has put the horse up in his Betfair column and he’s now as short as 16/1 with the same firm which in truth doesn't appeal to me.

It’s race I will probably have a couple more running for me on the day but for now I'm with Faivoir .

Wednesday racing

Ludlow, Southwell and Fairyhouse provide Wednesday’s jumps action and there’s an all-weather evening fixture at Kempton.

Kempton

The race of the day is the Class 2 AW Championships Fast-Track & London Stayers' Qualifier (8:00) at Kempton. I normally don’t bother looking at these type of race but this looks a competitive one and to be honest there’s not much to get excited about today.

High class stayer Earl Of Tyrone makes his debut for William Haggas and also his debut on the synthetics. He’ll be tough to beat if handling the surface and if ready to roll on his return a 136-day break.

Berkshire Rocco returned to winning ways in the reapplied cheekpieces at Southwell last month.  That day he had Rainbow Dreamer 1 ¼ lengths back in second and Earlofthecotswolds 9 lengths back in third. Rainbow Dreamer can normally be relied upon to give his running and he won this race in 2020 & 2021. However, Earlofthecotswolds was having his first start for four months and may have needed it. He’s 3-5 at Kempton including C&D and needs respecting.

Sleeping Lion won last year’s renewal but hasn’t been seen since finishing a well beaten 10^th of 12 Earlofthecotswolds on All-Weather Final’s Day at Newcastle in April. He’s another very much in the mix if ready roll after a long layoff.

Verdict: On turf form Earl Of Tyrone has the beating of these if he handles the surface and stays 2m. Berkshire Rocco was back to his best last time and is unexposed over 2 miles. Last year’s winner Sleeping Lion and C&D winner Earlofthecotswolds are both in the mix with a slight preference for Sleeping Lion.

Ludlow

The best race over jumps today is at Ludlow. The Class 3 Attwood Memorial Trophy Handicap Chase (3:00) has attracted seven runners but you can make some sort of case for most of them.

Jobesgreen Lad took his chase record to 4 from 8. Two of those wins have come over C&D with the latest of them coming 50-days ago. He’s up 8lb for that win but had a bit more in hand than the 3 ¼ length margin of victory suggests. Looks to have a favourite chance.

Rose Sea Has won at Fontwell two starts back and followed up and showed he remains in from when 1 ½ length 2^nd of 11 at Hereford 9-days ago.  Magic Dancer won over C&D in April and is another to be respected.

Neville’s Cross won at Bangor (3m) last July from a 3lb higher mark and has been given a chance by the handicapper. The 8-year-old is at his best on a sound surface although today’s 2m 4f could be on the short side for him.

Herbiers was the best of these over hurdles and he’s another who is well suited to good/good to soft ground. His chase debut 5th of 8 to Haddex des Obeaux at Doncaster last time wasn’t totally devoid of promise albeit he finished tailed off. Remains capable of better over the larger obstacles.

Verdict: Neville’s Cross has been given a chance by the handicapper, but he might need further than 2m 4f to take advantage. I wouldn’t put any one off Jobesgreen Lad but at 9/4 I can let him win. Herbiers can still make his mark over fences and looks of most interest.

Wednesday selection:

Dead Right (14/1) was another winning nap for the Daily Punt column. Slightly tongue in cheek but I might as well give up now as week won’t get any better.  Unlike yesterday whereby default I was left with just one selection today looks trickier. In the end I went for one in the Kempton feature race.

Kempton

8:00 – Sleeping Lion – 8/1 @ Bet365.

Good luck with your Wednesday bets.

John