Why This Horse Can Win Saturday’s Betfair Hurdle: Overcoming Tough Conditions

The text should be broken into logical paragraphs to improve readability and comprehension. Who will land the ever-competitive handicap prize? Our team have their say. He now has a 5lb pull at the weights and the form of his Grade 2 success at Haydock afterwards, when he had Making Headway in behind, suggests he should have finished at least third in the Grade 1 at Aintree last time if on song.

Novices are often the ones to focus on in this contest, Jack Hogan’s 3lb claim will help and odds of 20-1 are too big. An excellent second behind Iberico Lord in the Greatwood, he meets that rival on 3lb better terms after only being raised a further 1lb for finishing second in a Grade 1 last time. That was in an attritional running of the Challow Hurdle and he wouldn’t have any problems if conditions become testing, as the forecast suggests it will. He could be difficult to catch from the front.

The six-year-old returned to winning ways in a valuable Grade 3 handicap at Ascot in December, producing a career-best Racing Post Rating in the process, and she won’t mind the expected rainfall in the forecast. Luccia goes well in testing conditions, having twice won on soft ground, and her 20-1 price with some firms is generous. However, Harry Cobden’s mount Tellherthename is considered if he turns up, but that will all depend on how much rain hits Newbury. Spirit D’Aunou left that firmly behind when a comfortable winner of a Sandown handicap on Tingle Creek day in December, not looking all out in pulling clear with an unexposed four-year-old to take his record to 5-7, while the third has won since to give the form some substance.

He hasn’t been seen since, but a 10lb hike for that comfortable victory looks manageable and he’ll have no problem getting back on a sounder surface, or racing in attritional conditions if the rain comes. The seven-year-old has long been held in high regard but has only really shown his full potential on his last two starts, winning easily at Wincanton before defeating a field of decent types at Kempton over Christmas. He simply had too much speed for them when powering clear by seven and a half lengths and that bodes well for Newbury. Novices may do well in the Betfair Hurdle but I find the key to finding the winner is one making rapid improvement.

He looks the ideal candidate and is an excellent price. Racing Post has the best offers, all in one place.