The last horse race before Christmas in the UK is a Grade handicap handicap hurdle, and a competitive one at that!
Betfair Exchange Trophy History and Trends
First run in 2001, this 2m handicap hurdle has become regular fixture at Ascot’s pre-Christmas feature and supports the Grade 1 Marsh (formerly Long Walk) Hurdle and the Listed Silver Cup Handicap Chase.
It always attracts a decent-sized field and each-way betting will be available – the first four with some online bookmakers (check before betting) if all 16 entries stand their ground – again this year.
- There has never been a winner aged older than seven but only one runner, Remiluc, falls outside that category this year. Eight of the last 11 winners have been aged five or six.
- No winner had had more than 28 career starts but had run at least five times over hurdles.
- Nine of the last 11 winners were rated at least 130.
- This is a race for experienced jockeys with no claiming conditional having managed to ride the winner.
Year | Winner | Winning Jockey/Trainer | SP |
---|---|---|---|
2018 | Mohaayed 6yo 11-10 |
Harry Skelton Dan Skelton |
16/1 |
2017 | Hunters Call 7yo 10-3 |
Jack Kennedy Olly Murphy |
9/1 |
2016 | Brain Power 5yo 11-11 |
David Mullins Nicky Henderson |
12/1 |
2015 | Jollys Cracked It 6yo 11-3 |
Noel Fehily Harry Fry |
7/1F |
2015 | Sternrubin 4yo 10-10 |
Richard Johnson Philip Hobbs |
9/1 |
2014 | Bayan 5yo 11-5 |
Davy Condon Gordon Elliott |
14/1 |
2013 | Willows Saviour 6yo 10-5 |
Harry Skelton Dan Skelton |
10/1 |
2012 | Cause Of Causes 4yo 10-13 |
Davy Condon Gordon Elliott |
25/1 |
2011 | Raya Star 5yo 10-1 |
Wayne Hutchinson Alan King |
12/1 |
2008 | Sentry Duty 6yo 11-9 |
Barry Geraghty Nicky Henderson |
12/1 |
Horse Racing Betting at Betvictor
Mohaayed (a best 25/1) bids to become the first to win this Grade 3 handicap first and races off the same mark as 12 months ago. However, he has shown little in three runs this season.
Paul Nicholls runs a couple of four-year-olds but Scaramanga (a general 14/1) was raised a massive 12lb for winning at Wincanton and Tamaroc Du Mathan (a best 12/1) surely lacks the experience for a race like this.
Harambe is 12/1 with Betvictor having won the prestigious Greatwood at Cheltenham last month when several of today’s rivals were behind. A 6lb rise lets in the likes of Monsieur Lecoq (16/1 with Betvictor) – who has run well again at Cheltenham since – Quoi De Neuf and Countister, however. Quoi De Neuf is prominent in the betting at a general 7/1 and the latter will definitely strip fitter today and it shouldn’t be forgotten that the Henderson mare (a general 10/1) finished a close third in last season’s County Hurdle.
Henderson also runs the lightly-raced Newbury runner-up French Crusader (9/1 with Ladbrokes) and he holds Crooks Peak on the form book.
Turnpike Trip bids to become the first Irish-trained winner of this since Bayan in 2014 but Charles Byrnes’ runner looks to be too high in the weights.
Not So Sleepy (a best 9/1) is at the opposite end of the handicap but had the run of the race at Ascot last month and is unlikely to be given as much leeway by these – he’s also 5lb higher.
UMBRIGADO had an unusual preparation for this, running over 3m at Haydock. He travelled strongly for a long way, however, and there are no concerns raised dropping him back to 2m in this on heavy ground. He will get the strong pace he requires and David Pipe has always held him in high regard. Connections have had to be patient but can finally get their hands on some big prize money this weekend.
Betfair Exchange Trophy Current Best Odds
Quoi De Neuf 7/1, Umbrigado 15/2, French Crusader and Not So Sleepy 9/1, Countister 10/1, Crooks Peak, Harambe, Tamaroc Du Mathan and Whoshotthesheriff 12/1, Scaramanga 14/1, Monsieur Lecoq and Sir Valentine 16/1, Turnpike Trip 20/1, Mohaayed and Zanza 25/1, Remiluc 40/1
(Odds correct at 3.30pm December 19)