*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
The Persian War Novices’ Hurdle is the race that really gets the juices flowing for the core British National Hunt season.
The Grade 2 contest, worth a tidy £28,475 to the winning connections, is named after three-time Champion Hurdle scorer Persian War, who was trained near Chepstow.
WELCOME TO PADDY POWER NEWS!
A string of top-class jumpers have won the race in recent times including Silviniaco Conti, Blaklion, Thyme Hill and last year’s winner Camprond.
The latest Persian War Novices’ Hurdle odds can be found on the Paddy Power website, otherwise Timeform’s nifty guide to the runners plus betting tips from the racing boffins are below.
WIN £/€100,000 WITH PADDY’S PICK 5 THIS SATURDAY!
Persian War Novices’ Hurdle runners
Accidental Rebel
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien Jockey: Paddy Brennan Age: 8 Weight: 11st 0lbs
An improved model since joining current yard, completing a hat-trick in stylish success in a 20f Worcester handicap in July. Collared only close home off a 6 lb higher mark back there last time but this asks for more. Cheekpieces on for the 1st time.
***
Deeper Blue
Trainer: Harry Fry Jockey: Lorcan Murtagh Age: 6 Weight: 11st 0lbs
Firmly back on track when making all in a Fontwell maiden in March and improved again when defying a penalty back in a handicap at Exeter (18.5f) only 3 days later. Must enter calculations on return for a yard that’s had a good start to the campaign.
*****
Hector Javilex
Trainer: Charlie Longsdon Jockey: Tom Bellamy Age: 5 Weight: 11st 0lbs
Found a chunk of improvement on the back of a breathing operation when winning 10-runner maiden hurdle at Southwell (20.4f) in May, going with enthusiasm. Followed up in determined fashion at Ludlow and open to further progress but has more on his plate now hiked in grade.
***
Outlaw Peter
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Harry Cobden Age: 6 Weight: 11st 0lbs
Bumper winner and fair start over hurdles in some deep races. Made the most of a good opportunity following a breathing operation/3-month break at Kempton (21f) in May and remains with potential.
***
Presentandcounting
Trainer: Donald McCain Jockey: Brian Hughes Age: 8 Weight: 11st 0lbs
Prolific over fences last season, winning 5 times in novice company, and took advantage of the handicapper’s leniency when taking apart a 12-runner handicap hurdle at Worcester (20f) 2 weeks ago, unchallenged. Well respected on that form.
***
Quid Pro Quo
Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Harry Skelton Age: 6 Weight: 11st 0lbs
Won a Hereford bumper on debut that’s worked out well and returned from 15 months off with a smooth success on Warwick hurdles debut in May. Followed up in similarly effortless fashion at Newton Abbot (21.6f) and looks sure to go on to better things.
****
Scipion
Trainer: Tom Lacey Jockey: Non Runner Age: 6 Weight: 11st 0lbs
NON RUNNER
Legionar
Trainer: Milton Harris Jockey: Non Runner Age: 4 Weight: 10st 12lbs
NON RUNNER
Gentle Connections
Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Lorcan Williams Age: 5 Weight: 10st 7lbs
Completed 4-timer faced with another straightforward task in 6-runner novice at Newton Abbot (21.6f) in June, drawing clear between last 2. This is much tougher.
**
Persian War Novices’ Hurdle tips
Timeform: An opening-looking Persian War. DEEPER BLUE got firmly back on track towards the end of last season with victories at Fontwell and Exeter and could be up to completing the hat-trick on his return. Quid Pro Quo has won a couple of small-field events in effortless fashion this term and looks sure to go on to better things. Scipion is another capable of having a say if ready to roll.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Friday’s Best Bets
- Horse Racing Tips: Timeform’s best bets for Chepstow on Friday
- Horse Racing Tips: Mick Fitzgerald’s Lucky 31 for Friday’s ITV Racing
- Horse Racing Tips: Matt Chapman’s slick picks for Friday’s ITV Racing
- Horse Racing Tips: Ruby Walsh’s tidy tips for Friday’s ITV Racing
READ MORE
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest racing tips
- When is the 2023 Cheltenham Festival? Next year’s dates for your diary
- Cheltenham Festival: Paddy’s antepost favourites for the 2023 championship races