Racing News

8th February 2019

Good Evening ,

The Betfair Hurdle has a history of novices running well in the race which hopefully will take place at some stage. At the time of writing the British Horse Racing Authority had abandoned racing in Britain until next Wednesday at the earliest due to an outbreak of equine flu. The four meetings scheduled for Thursday were cancelled in an effort to limit the number of positive cases. The BHA call off meetings as a last resort so there must have been fears that the flu could spread and become an epidemic. The Cheltenham Festival is less than five weeks away and it would be a huge blow for the industry if it did not take place.

Three vaccinated horses who ran on Wednesday are reported to be stabled at one yard. Racing has been cancelled to prevent the spread of the disease which we can assume is contagious. The Cheltenham Festival was cancelled in 2001 due to the foot and mouth epidemic. Racing does not take place at Newbury on Saturday and there are fears that the situation could get worse. Al Dancer ticks many of the boxes in the context of winning the Betfair Hurdle which could be rearranged.

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The horse is trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies who has won the race twice in the last five years. His other winners had a similar profile to Al Dancer who is a progressive horse. Runners better than handicappers often do well in this handicap over two miles and half a furlong. Another former winner is My Tent Or Yours who prevailed as a novice and subsequently finished second in three Champion Hurdles. Twiston-Davies sees similarities between Al Dancer and his other winners of the race. His entry could well be a graded horse running in a handicap.

Ballyandy and Splash Of Ginge won the Betfair Hurdle for Twiston-Davies and they are again in the field. The former has place prospects but his stable mate will struggle to make the frame. The race should attract more than 16 runners so each way bets will be settled at one quarter the odds for the first four places. Some bookmakers may offer extra places and if any go down to six Splash Of Ginge would then become a betting proposition. Ballyandy could finish in the top four but for a win bet Al Dancer is preferred and then the horse would go on to better things.

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Kalashnikov won the race last season and then finished second in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. The horse was sent novice chasing this season and is a leading contender for the Arkle Chase. The Betfair Hurdle may be a handicap but the weights range make it akin to a conditions race. Lizzie Kelly rode the winner for Nick Williams in 2016 and her ride this time is owned and trained by her mum. Monsieur Lecoq is Kelly’s mount in the race and the horse has the type of profile for success.

Monsieur Lecoq is another novice who has won a maiden and handicap hurdle. Connections believe the horse is progressive who could be thrown in at the weights. The jockey thinks the race should suit him but that he is less mature than Agrapart who she won with in 2016. Both horses had their prep races at the same meeting. However, history is unlikely to repeat itself because Al Dancer looks a rock solid favourite but racing could be in crisis due to a flu epidemic. Alternatively the disease is contained and racing goes ahead again next week.

Best Wishes,

BetFan