The Betfair Hurdle is a Grade 3 Handicap run over a distance of approximately 2m at Newbury. The race, worth more than £88,000 to the winner, is considered among the most prestigious races of its type in the UK racing calendar. It’s certainly one of the most vaulable and always attracts a big field with the average number of runners taking part since the turn of the century around 20. A maximum 24 have stood their ground this year and there are also two reserves.
Betfair Hurdle History and Trends
The Betfair Hurdle was first run in 1963, originally at Aintree. The race was first sponsored by drinks maker Schweppes and was known as the Schweppes Gold Trophy. Ryan Price won the first two runnings with Rosyth and trained four of the first five winners of the race.
Schweppes’ sponsorship continued until 1986 when it was taken over by Tote Bookmakers (later known as totesport). The race was renamed the Tote Gold Trophy from 1987 to 2004, and the totesport Trophy from 2005 to 2011. Since 2012 the race has been sponsored by Betfair and has assumed its current title. Two winners of the race — Persian War and Make a Stand — subsequently achieved victory in the following month’s Champion Hurdle.
Lightly-raced five and six year-olds, in their first or second season jumping, have dominated this prize with that age group responsible for the last 10 winners. All had had no more than 10 career starts over hurdles with five having had no more than four, but three outings over timber is probably the minimum requirement.
None of the last 10 winners have carried more than 11st 2lb and only one finished outside the first three in its previous start. Gary Moore has trained three of the last 10 winners and saddles Knockanuss this year.
Betfair Hurdle Current Best Odds
Irish Roe 10/1, Lalor and Jenkins 11/1, Bleu Et Rouge, Kalashnikov, Kayf Grace, Waterlord and Verdana Blue 12/1, Knocknanuss and Silver Streak 14/1, Lough Derg Spirit 16/1, High Bridge and Misterton 20/1, Coeur Blimey, Moon Racer, Poppy Kay and Spiritofthegames 25/1, William H Bonney 28/1, Charli Parcs 33/1, Divin Bere and Project Bluebook 40/1, Zalvados, Nietzsche and Remiluc 50/1
Lalor arrives with similar credentials to last year’s winner Ballyandy and has been popular with punters. He was a high-class bumper horse last season but has yet to win over hurdles. However, the late Richard Woollacott held in him high regard and time will tell he’s well treated on a mark of 137 on his handicap debut. But, as race time approaches, he’s on the drift and is out to a general 11/1.
High Bridge (a best 20/1) and Jenkins, the top two in the weights, are both unbeaten at Newbury. The latter carries a penalty but has rediscovered his mojo in recent weeks and James Bowen’s claim is a plus – he is also a general 11/1.
Spiritofthegames ran a cracking race in the Lanzarote at Kempton having won his two previous starts. The ability to stay further is usually an advantage in this contest and Dan Skelton’s gelding may be overpriced at 25/1 with BetBright in first-time cheekpieces.
As well as Jenkins, champion trainer Nicky Henderson also runs Charli Parcs, Kayf Grace, Verdana Blue and Lough Derg Spirit. The latter pair may be the pick of that quartet at 12/1 and 16/1 respectively but Amy Murphy thinks the world of KALASHNIKOV, who may have lost his unbeaten record at Sandown last time but would not have been suited by the heavy going and that was a Grade 1. He is another hovering around the 12/1 mark at the time of writing and might be the one to beat.
Peter Atkinson is not a trainer one normally associates with valuable handicaps like the Betfair Hurdle but the North Yorkshire trainer has done well with Irish Roe and his mare deserves to take her chance. She’s gone up a stone in the weights in the last year but looked as good as ever when just failing to overhaul Maria’s Benefit in a Grade 2 at Doncaster two weeks ago. She goes well on Town Moor and this track is similar in nature, though she is a little more exposed than some and is now only a best 10/1 with BetBright.
