Antepost favourite Lark In The Mornin will face a maximum 16 rivals in the Swinton Handicap Hurdle on Saturday.
Joseph O’Brien’s juvenile is set to make his first appearance since a convincing victory in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival and gets a 6lbs weight-for-age allowance which could come in handy.
The Swinton Handicap Hurdle is the first big race of the summer Jumps programme in Britain and there is a former winner in the field as 2022 scorer N’Golo bids to retain the crown.
Teddy Blue is 3lbs lower in the handicap compared to 12 months ago when placing second in the minimum-distance contest but needs to bounce back from a series of disappointing runs.
Meanwhile, Paul Nicholls saddles two leading fancies in Rare Middleton – the pick of Harry Cobden – and Afadil, who was last seen finishing a creditable fourth in the Scottish Champion Hurdle.
The latest Swinton Handicap 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.
Swinton Handicap Hurdle verdict
Timeform: BALLEE did really well to stick at it for as long as he did having helped contribute to an overly-strong gallop at Aintree a month ago, and at the forecast prices, he looks the way to go. Lark In The Mornin will do for many on the back of his ready Boodles win but the juice in his price has gone, while Rare Middleton may well be able to reverse last month’s Cheltenham form with Tintintin.
*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
Swinton Handicap Hurdle runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Swinton Handicap Hurdle 2024.
Ballee
Trainer: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White Jockey: Micheal Nolan Age: 5 Weight: 12st 0lbs
Looked progressive when winning a brace of 2m Taunton novice events during the winter. Unseated Micheal Nolan at the second flight back from a break at Chepstow but quickly put that blip behind him when an excellent second on handicap debut at Aintree, displaying great attitude.
*****
Gin Coco
Trainer: Harry Fry Jockey: Lorcan Murtagh Age: 8 Weight: 11st 12lbs
Lightly-raced 8-y-o who showed benefit of his reappearance when taking 2m Ascot handicap hurdle in November. Freshened up after finishing down the field at Doncaster the following month and shaped quite well from further off the pace than was ideal at Plumpton in March.
***
Aurigny Mill
Trainer: Victor Dartnall Jockey: Alan Johns Age: 7 Weight: 11st 7lbs
Back-to-back wins at Wincanton and Kempton in December. Well held in the Betfair at Newbury and while he fared a bit better at Chepstow a fortnight ago, others are still more persuasive.
**
Afadil
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Freddie Gingell Age: 5 Weight: 11st 7lbs
Displayed a nice turn of foot when landing 13-runner handicap at Musselburgh in February and has continued in form from revised mark in good-quality handicaps since. Durable type who seems certain to give it another good go.
***
Teddy Blue
Trainer: Gary & Josh Moore Jockey: Caoilin Quinn Age: 6 Weight: 11st 6lbs
Excellent second in this race a year ago and now finds himself 3 lb lower this time. That’s courtesy of a mixed campaign and he’s not the easiest to catch right (makes mistakes).
***
N’Golo
Trainer: Patrick Neville Jockey: Gavin Sheehan Age: 9 Weight: 11st 6lbs
Produced a career best to win this race in 2022 but restricted to just 2 runs since, suffering heavy defeat on each occasion. Questions to answer in change of headgear.
**
Luttrell Lad
Trainer: Tom Lacey Jockey: Stan Sheppard Age: 8 Weight: 11st 5lbs
Resumed winning ways at Cartmel last summer and has acquitted himself well all 4 starts since returning from a break in November. On the downside, his current mark leaves very little margin for error and it’s not hard to think that one or two of these are better treated.
***
Tintintin
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien Jockey: Jonathan Burke Age: 5 Weight: 11st 5lbs
Still relatively lightly raced and clearly going the right way, making it win number 3 from his last 4 starts in big-field handicap at Cheltenham last month, digging deep to repel Rare Middleton. 6 lb rise asks for another jolt of improvement.
***
Nibiru
Trainer: A. J. Martin Jockey: Daniel King Age: 9 Weight: 11st 4lbs
Profile isn’t the most convincing but backed at long odds prior to winning AW handicap in February. Refused to race in this a year ago and while he’s in very shrewd hands, others appeal more.
**
Mr Freedom
Trainer: Sheena West Jockey: Marc Goldstein Age: 5 Weight: 11st 4lbs
Most consistent sort who produced another likeable display when second to a big improver in the Sussex Champion Hurdle in March, Eased 1 lb and he’s likely to give it his all again.
***
Clear White Light
Trainer: Adrian Keatley Jockey: Henry Brooke Age: 8 Weight: 11st 2lbs
Went the right way in handicaps for current yard last term, winning twice at around 2½m. Successful return at Doncaster and also cashed in on a handy Flat mark at Catterick (easy enough to excuse Doncaster run latest in what was an unconventional race).
**
Rare Middleton
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Harry Cobden Age: 5 Weight: 11st 2lbs
Doubled hurdles tally at Doncaster in December and shaped with plenty of promise when second to Tintintin at Cheltenham, perhaps a slightly unlucky loser given he made a bad mistake late on and was collared close home. Big shout.
****
Lark In The Mornin
Trainer: Joseph Patrick O’Brien Jockey: J. J. Slevin Age: 4 Weight: 11st 1lbs
Flat winner who shaped well at Punchestown and was a very impressive winner of the Boodles at Cheltenham on handicap debut. Assessor reacted with 8 lb rise but it may not be enough.
****
All The Glory
Trainer: Jonjo & A.J. O’Neill Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr. Age: 7 Weight: 11st 0lbs
Won twice at the beginning of last term and away from soft ground, he ended the campaign in fine style when a decisive scorer at Newbury (20.5f). Up 8 lb and back over 2m but she still needs considering.
***
Castel Gandolfo
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien Jockey: J. Hogan Age: 7 Weight: 11st 0lbs
Had a good time of things last season, winning at Kelso and then reaching the frame on 4 occasions between July and October. Fit from the Flat and just a fair effort behind a few of these at Cheltenham.
**
Pickanumber
Trainer: Olly Murphy Jockey: Dylan Johnston Age: 6 Weight: 10st 12lbs
Won a Catterick maiden and Lingfield handicap on first 2 starts for Olly Murphy. Lost his unbeaten record for this yard when third of 8 at Bangor but quickly back on the up when seeing off 7 rivals at Huntingdon. Did that easily but this a different examination.
***
Tapley
Trainer: Suzy Smith Jockey: Elizabeth Gale Age: 7 Weight: 10st 12lbs
Returned to form with a bang when bagging 2m Kempton handicap in November and has remained in good form since, resuming winning ways at Fakenham (2m again) in March. Solid third to Our Champ at Plumpton and then didn’t do a lot wrong behind a couple of these at Cheltenham.
***
Saturday’s Racing Tips
- Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing tips for Saturday
- Rory Delargy’s horse racing tips for Saturday on ITV4
- Mick Fitzgerald’s horse racing tips for ITV4 on Saturday
- Jason Weaver’s ITV Racing tips for Ascot and Lingfield on Saturday
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