A field of 16 have been declared for tomorrow’s Grade Three £155,000 Betfair Hurdle over an extended two miles at Newbury.
A race known for producing shock winners, Splash Of Ginge (2014), Violet Dancer (2015) and Agrapart (2016) have won the last three renewals of the contest whilst top-class performers including Zarkander (2012) and My Tent Or Yours (2013) are also past winners.
The market for this year’s renewal is headed by Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Ballyandy. The six-year-old won the Champion Bumper at last year’s Cheltenham Festival and has run creditably in novice hurdles so far this season, which included two defeats by Supreme Novices’ Hurdle favourite Moon Racer at Perth and Cheltenham this season. Handed an attractive market of 135, he looks well weighted to go close. Twiston-Davies is also represented by Ballyhill who is partnered by 7lbs claimer Ballyhill.
Progressive hurdlers Movewiththetimes, trained by Paul Nicholls and Evan Williams’ Clyne are also near the head of the betting and remain unexposed, with the latter finishing a creditable second to The New One at Haydock Park last time. Nicholls is also represented by Zubayr who is only a five-year-old.
Other notable contenders include Philip Hobbs’ Wait For Me who finished behind another of today’s rivals William H Bonney at Cheltenham last time on Festival trials day.
Unexposed gelding De Name Escapes Me, trained by Noel Meade bids to become the first Irish-trained winner of the contest since Michael O’Brien’s Essex won the 2005 edition.
Other notable contenders include Gordon Elliott’s Veinard, Kerry Lee’s Gassin Golf and Robert Stephens’ Beltor.
Verdict
Wait For Me, trained by Philip Hobbs, represents value at 11/1 and should give a good account of himself. The unexposed seven-year-old has a workable official rating of 138 and with the hood back on, should enjoy running at Newbury, where he has won over course and distance. With Champion Jockey Richard Johnson aboard, he should run a good race.
