*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
Glory And Fortune faces 17 rivals in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on Saturday.
The 20/1 winner of last year’s renewal heads the weights as he puts his crown on the line in Europe’s richest handicap hurdle at 15:35.
The market principals include JP McManus-owned Filey Bay, who is attempting to bring up a hat-trick, as well as the Paul Nicholls pair Hacker Des Places and Rubaud.
Betfair Hurdle odds can be found on the Paddy Power website, Paddy Power app or via our snazzy betting widgets, otherwise Timeform’s horse-by-horse guide to the runners and betting tips from the racing boffins are below.
Betfair Hurdle runners
Glory And Fortune
Trainer: Tom Lacey Jockey: Stan Sheppard Age: 8 Weight: 12st 0lbs
Much improved hurdler last season, including winning this race. Let down by his jumping when resuming his chase career this winter but given a bit of a chance by the handicapper in this sphere (now 5 lb lower than when beaten under 3 lengths in Welsh Champion Hurdle on reappearance).
***
Icare Allen
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr. Age: 5 Weight: 11st 12lbs
Useful juvenile last term and made an encouraging return to action when third of 17 in 2m Fairyhouse handicap at the beginning of December. Has to enter the reckoning for his top Irish stable.
***
Highway One O Two
Trainer: Chris Gordon Jockey: Gavin Sheehan Age: 8 Weight: 11st 9lbs
Suited by the drop back to 2m and better than ever when taking a 19-runner Ascot handicap in October. Faced a stiff task and ran respectably for third behind Constitution Hill in Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day. Looks feasibly treated back in a handicap.
****
Hacker Des Places
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Angus Cheleda Age: 6 Weight: 11st 8lbs
Has had a very good spell under this rider in the last 12 months, building on his Ascot reappearance second when holding on gamely at Cheltenham 2 weeks ago. A 5 lb penalty demands more but this likeable type seems sure to give it his usual good shot.
***
Tritonic
Trainer: Alan King Jockey: A. P. Heskin Age: 6 Weight: 11st 7lbs
Well-served by strongly-run race when landing valuable Betfair Exchange handicap at Ascot (2m) last winter. As good as ever on the Flat in 2022 (won at Goodwood in October) but well held in Relkeel at Cheltenham on hurdle return, although he faced stiff task in that Grade 3. Cheekpieces added.
**
No Ordinary Joe
Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: James Bowen Age: 7 Weight: 11st 5lbs
Promising type who was placed in the Greatwood at Cheltenham last season and took his form up another notch when making a successful reappearance at Kempton (2m, soft) over Christmas. Raised 5 lb for that but there could easily be more to come from this 7-y-o after only 6 hurdle starts.
****
Faivoir
Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Bridget Andrews Age: 8 Weight: 11st 4lbs
Talented hurdler/chaser who shaped quite well when 12½ lengths fourth of 14 to No Ordinary Joe in 2m Kempton handicap on his reappearance over Christmas, keeping on from too far back. Top stable has a strong record in the leading 2m handicap hurdles. Cheekpieces refitted. One to consider.
****
Aucunrisque
Trainer: Chris Gordon Jockey: Nick Scholfield Age: 7 Weight: 11st 4lbs
Grade 2 novice hurdle winner last season who has taken well to fences this time round, finishing second in 2m Kempton Grade 2 when last seen over Christmas. Not discounted back over the smaller obstacles.
***
Filey Bay
Trainer: Emmet Mullins Jockey: Donagh Meyler Age: 7 Weight: 10st 13lbs
Had plenty in hand when winning 2m handicaps at Doncaster and Wincanton handicaps at the start of the winter on his first 2 outings for the Emmet Mullins yard. Seemingly saved for this since and obvious contender for his much-feared stable.
****
Onemorefortheroad
Trainer: Neil King Jockey: Jack Quinlan Age: 8 Weight: 10st 13lbs
A bit disappointing in 2 comeback outings in the autumn but given a bit of a chance by the handicapper as a result (now 3 lb lower than when second to Tritonic in last season’s Betfair Exchange at Ascot) and could play a prominent role if bouncing back to form after a break.
***
Teddy Blue
Trainer: Gary Moore Jockey: Caoilin Quinn Age: 5 Weight: 10st 13lbs
Free-goer who finally came good when landing short odds in 2m Lingfield maiden 11 days ago. Not obviously well-treated under a 5 lb penalty but it’s possible this big-field scenario could play to his strengths.
***
Monviel
Trainer: Philip Hobbs Jockey: Tom O’Brien Age: 6 Weight: 10st 10lbs
Dual winner in his novice season and took another step forward when dominating a 2m Ascot handicap on his reappearance in November. Will find it harder to boss this field but he’s one who should have more to offer.
****
Rubaud
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Harry Cobden Age: 5 Weight: 10st 10lbs
Useful performer on the Flat in France and it hasn’t taken long for him to reach a similar level over timber, winning maiden/novice events at Taunton before improving again when chasing home the promising Rare Edition at Kempton over Christmas. Unexposed now handicapping for top stable.
****
Restitution
Trainer: Alan King Jockey: Alexander Thorne Age: 5 Weight: 10st 7lbs
Well suited by the emphasis on speed when showing much improved form to land a third handicap hurdle success of his career at Doncaster (2m) over Christmas, quickening clear to score by 12 lengths. Hit with an 11 lb rise but he is relatively unexposed around 2m.
***
Yorksea
Trainer: Gary Moore Jockey: Niall Houlihan Age: 5 Weight: 10st 6lbs
Fair Flat winner in France who built on his C&D reappearance fourth in November when winning at Fontwell on Boxing Day, taking his hurdle record to 2-5. This is much more competitive but this low-mileage sort is likely capable of even better.
***
Glorious Zoff
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien Jockey: Connor Brace Age: 6 Weight: 10st 6lbs
Fairly useful hurdler for Gordon Elliott in 2021 but not seen again until never involved on AW Flat at Kempton for this yard last month. Feasibly treated on his best form but a leap of faith is required.
**
Deere Mark
Trainer: Sam Thomas Jockey: Charlie Deutsch Age: 6 Weight: 10st 5lbs
Going the right way over hurdles, qualifying for this race in the nick of time when making a successful start to his handicap career at Kempton (2m) 4 weeks ago. Definitely more to come from him.
****
Master Chewy
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies Age: 6 Weight: 10st 4lbs
Scopey sort who has made a promising start over hurdles, bumping into good prospects when runner-up in novice company at Cheltenham and Plumpton on last 2 outings. Very interesting at the foot of the weights for a yard with a good record in this race.
*****
Betfair Hurdle tips
Timeform: Given that Nigel Twiston-Davies has won this 3 times with novices MASTER CHEWY catches the eye off bottom weight. His maiden status doesn’t do him justice as he would have won at Ascot but for falling at the last and he’s bumped into very promising sorts on his 2 outings since. Filey Bay, who has been purchased by J P McManus since scoring twice for this yard at the start of the winter, looks to have been laid out for this and is an obvious threat. Faivoir and Deere Mark are also shortlisted.
Saturday’s Racing Tips
- Matt Chapman’s betting tips for ITV Racing
- Rory Delargy’s horse racing tips for Newbury and Warwick
- Former jockey Mick Fitzgerald’s Newbury and Warwick tips and best bets
- ITV Racing tips and fancies from top trader Frank Hickey
Read These Next
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
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- When is the Betfair Hurdle? Newbury date, start time, runners and betting
- J P McManus well armed to win another Betfair Hurdle