Betfair Hurdle 2018

Biggest Handicap Hurdle of the year, and as usual, a cracking entry.

https://www.racingpost.com/racecards/36/newbury/2018-02-10/691761

As is often the case with this race, a lot of attention has went the way of the Nicky Hendersons runners, and he’s got plenty near the head of the market. He’s got no fewer than nine entered……

Call Me Lord
Charli Parcs
Charming Zen
Diessi Des Bieffes
Jenkins
Kayf Grace
Lough Derg Spirit
Verdana Blue
William Henry

A quick look at that lot will show you a case can be made for the lot of them, and I’m particularly interested in Call Me Lord, Kayf Grace, and Jenkins. Kayf is off only 140, while Call Me Lord is now off 152, after his very impressive win at the weekend, but I have the pair of them very close together, and don’t think either of them are finished for the season. They seem to have concerns about Lord going left handed, but I didn’t see too much to be worried about at Sandown. Both of them are high on the shortlist, while Jenkins appeals only at the prices. Has done nothing at all this season, but the temptation is still there to “bet to lay”, as off his lowly mark, there has to be a chance he’ll be subject to a similar gamble, as was seen in The Greatwood, and he’ll be coming back to the track where he first came to prominence. Charli Parcs has been near the head of the market for this for a while now, but with this being a “target” race of JP’s you have to pay heed to his other runners…….

Bleu Et Rouge
Campeador
Defi Du Seuil
Project Bluebook

Bleu Et Rouge & Project Bluebook are both on my shortlist for The County, and a bit of work required here to win both. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of Bluebook yet, and having not been messed about in The Greatwood, I think his run in The Galway Hurdle is the best one to judge him on.

Bleu Et Rouge is a big winner waiting to happen, and I’m sure JP/WPM have one race in mind for him only. Whether or not it’s this, I don’t know, but he has to be considered. WPM has seven entered, and I think the other one who makes most appeal, is the continually underrated Lagostovegas. She’s a lovely type, and I think at least one of the Wylie runners will come here, with Merie Devie looking the most realistic at this stage. Sandsend is well regarded, but the owners have another pair within the Henderson battalions, so very risky.

Defi Du Seuil needs no introduction, and is surely better than his Ascot run, and there’s plenty of his fans on here. It’s his stablemate Poppy Kay I really like from the yard though. Great attitude from her at the weekend, and I was hoping for 40’s, 50’s. No chance, and the books have her right around 20’s. She should have a decent future.

I thought Campeador would be a Champion Hurdle horse this season, but he’s just been a shade disappointing, and with Elliot having three other entries, in Veinard, Ben Dundee, and Duca De Thaix, he makes no appeal right now, certainly not off of his current mark. Of the other trio, I really like Ben Dundee, and he looks the one I’d take from the yard right now.

With such a high quality entry, I could be here all day, but worthy of a mention, certainly off current ratings, are this trio. Divin Bere, who has to be forgiven his last run, but on a fair looking William H Bonney, who often flatters to deceive, but will surely pop up one day, and is simply massive at 33’s, and last, but not least, Moon Racer. Despite that Champion Hurdle flop, and his well documented setback, he’ll still come here on 142, and I’m extremely tempted by that 25’s.

That’ll do for now, and a proper puzzle as usual, and that’s not even scratching the surface.

No bet for now, but at the prices, Project Bluebook & Moon Racer make most appeal, while the head says Call Me Lord & Kayf Grace. Of the lower profile ones, then definitely Ben Dundee or Poppy Kay.

Not hard to see why I ain’t betting yet, but gun to my head…..

Project Bluebook 33’s Each Way