Benson will have to beat a maximum field of 17 rivals if last year’s Morebattle Hurdle winner is to retain the crown at Kelso on Saturday.
Sandy Thomson’s stable star is rated 5lbs higher and carries top weight in Scotland’s most valuable hurdle race of the season, although Ryan Mania returns to the saddle and the pair have a 50 per cent strike rate when teaming up.
Under Control was popular in the antepost betting and trainer Nicky Henderson is hoping the five-year-old mare can score and go for the Cheltenham Festival bonus on offer.
Brian Ellison saddled Cormier to victory in 2022 and relies on Salsada, who is seen for the first time since finishing fifth in last April’s Scottish Champion Hurdle.
Meanwhile, Kerry Lee’s stable is enjoying a strong season and Black Hawk Eagle attempts to bring up a hat-trick for the Byton-based handler.
The latest Morebattle Hurdle odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Morebattle Hurdle verdict
Timeform: SKYCUTTTER appeals as one who could have more to offer now he’s up and running for Dan Skelton and might prove the answer to this highly-competitive handicap. J P McManus, Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville combined to win the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury recently and Under Control, who arrives on the back of a second in a Grade 2, provides them with a good chance of another big pot. Black Hawk Eagle, Cracking Rhapsody and last year’s winner Benson are a few of many others who could go well.
*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
Morebattle Hurdle runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Morebattle Hurdle 2024.
Benson
Trainer: Sandy Thomson Jockey: Ryan Mania Age: 9 Weight: 12st 0lbs
Won this race 12 months ago and arrives in form again after a win over 2½m and fourth over 2m (competitive Scottish County Hurdle) at Musselburgh this year. Unlikely to give up his crown without a fight.
****
Under Control
Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: Nico de Boinville Age: 5 Weight: 11st 13lbs
C&D winner who resumed from a wind op with a good second of 6 to Ashroe Diamond in 2m Doncaster Grade 2 (2m, good) 35 days ago. Must enter calculations back in handicaps.
****
Anyharminasking
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr. Age: 7 Weight: 11st 11lbs
Right back on the up when second at Newbury (20.5f) in December but not in the same form when only fourth at Doncaster a fortnight later, looking a bit quirky again.
***
Geromino
Trainer: Donald McCain Jockey: Charlie Maggs Age: 8 Weight: 11st 11lbs
Arrives on the back of 2 wins at Doncaster under Charlie Maggs around the turn of the year, holding on gamely from an unexposed type over 19.5f latterly. The pair were nicely clear so he doesn’t look overburdened up 8 lb.
****
Little Mixup
Trainer: Denis Hogan Jockey: M. M. McDonagh Age: 7 Weight: 11st 7lbs
Has improved with each start this season, resuming winning ways in 2m Thurles handicap (heavy) 6 weeks ago. Not obviously well treated from his British mark, though.
**
N’Golo
Trainer: Patrick Neville Jockey: Conor O’Farrell Age: 9 Weight: 11st 6lbs
Produced a a career best to win the Swinton at Haydock in May 2022 but not seen since finishing down the field in the Greatwood at Cheltenham in November of that year. A watching brief has to be the percentage call.
**
Bingoo
Trainer: James Moffatt Jockey: Liam Harrison Age: 8 Weight: 11st 5lbs
Four-time 2m Hexham winner who showed he can do it at other venues when winning 2½m Aintree handicap (heavy) on Boxing Day reappearance. Made striking move into contention and the drop back to 2m shouldn’t faze him. Not discounted.
***
Rewired
Trainer: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole Jockey: Luke Scott Age: 6 Weight: 11st 2lbs
Winner of 2m handicaps at Doncaster and Taunton on his 2 starts this season. A further 7 lb rise is unlikely to prevent this thriving sort going well on hs hat-trick bid.
****
Bass Rock
Trainer: Sandy Thomson Jockey: Lewis Dobb Age: 8 Weight: 11st 2lbs
In better form than it might appear, just getting going having been outpaced when blundering 2 out in 2½m Musselburgh handicap chase in January. Lower mark over hurdles but this test probably sharper than ideal.
**
Salsada
Trainer: Brian Ellison Jockey: Daryl Jacob Age: 7 Weight: 11st 1lbs
Useful Flat/hurdles winner who got right back on track when second to Epatante in 2m Grade 2 at Doncaster last January. Sound effort from out of the weights in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr 12 weeks later but hasn’t been seen since.
***
Caithness
Trainer: Lucinda Russell Jockey: Derek Fox Age: 8 Weight: 10st 12lbs
Comfortable all-the-way winner of C&D maiden/handicap hurdles at Kelso in the autumn. Improved again when a fine third of 17 at Cheltenham in November but hs last 2 efforts have been underwhelming.
**
The Churchill Lad
Trainer: Rebecca Menzies Jockey: Ross Chapman Age: 5 Weight: 10st 11lbs
Dual juvenile hurdle winner last season and struck gain in 2m Haydock handicap in the mud in December. Below par behind Ginger Mail and Cracking Rhapsody over C&D in January but back on song with a hood refitted when second at Catterick 19 days ago.
***
Black Hawk Eagle
Trainer: Kerry Lee Jockey: Richard Patrick Age: 6 Weight: 10st 11lbs
Fairly useful Flat/hurdles winner for Noel Meade who has made a good start to life in Britain, winning a Wincanton handicap on Boxing Day and following up at Hereford (2m, good to soft) 4 weeks later. Did it cosily on both occasions and remains of interest off 6 lb higher.
****
Ganapathi
Trainer: R. Mike Smith Jockey: Sam Coltherd Age: 8 Weight: 10st 11lbs
Useful hurdle/chase winner for Willie Mullins. Has shown he retains ability over fences for new stable this winter but returns to hurdles in a warm race. Others are preferred.
**
Skycutter
Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Tristan Durrell Age: 6 Weight: 10st 10lbs
Having only his third start for the Dan Skelton stable when comfortably seeing off 10 rivals over 17f at Carlisle (soft) last month. A 6 lb rise isn’t too severe for one whose useful Flat form suggests he could rate even higher in this sphere. Gets the vote.
*****
Cracking Rhapsody
Trainer: Ewan Whillans Jockey: Craig Nichol Age: 5 Weight: 10st 8lbs
Perth bumper winner who has made a good start to his hurdle career, turning around January’s C&D form with Ginger Mail when edging ahead close home back here 15 days ago. Only nudged up 4 lb and has the potential for better again.
****
Ballygeary
Trainer: Donald McCain Jockey: Brian Hughes Age: 7 Weight: 10st 8lbs
Has made a very positive start to his hurdles career, winning 4 times. Solid efforts in defeat in 2m handicaps at Musselburgh this year and possible he could pull out a bit more for first-time cheekpieces.
***
Saturday’s Racing Tips
- Saturday’s ITV Racing tips from Rory Delargy for Doncaster, Kelso and Newbury
- Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing tips for Saturday at Doncaster, Kelso and Newbury
- Mick Fitzgerald’s Saturday ITV Racing tips for Doncaster, Kelso and Newbury
- A 20/1 shout features in PP Trader’s horse racing tips for Saturday
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