This weekend we have some top quality races from Newbury and Warwick but in this article we will look at the William Hill Handicap Hurdle which is a £87000 prize over 2m 1/2 f.
Heading the entries is Secret Squirrel trained by Hughie Morrison, this 6yo gelding won a good prize at the Windsor last time justifying market confidence to win by two lengths from Kabral Du Mathan of Paul Nicholls. He has been raised 13lb by the handicapper for that victory but he looks to be progressive, he just needs to settle better in his races.
The second horse we will look at is Tellherthename, this 6yo gelding had its first run for Jonjo O’Neill when coming 4th of seven in the Fighting Fifth hurdle at Newcastle. He was trained by Ben Pauling for whom he picked up a couple of hurdle races before finishing down the field in the Supreme Novice Hurdle at last season’s Cheltenham Festival. This is much calmer waters so if the market spoke confidently you’d have to take notice.
Another entry is Joyeuse trained by Nicky Henderson, this 6yo was second last time out in a Mares handicap hurdle where the jockey Nico de Boinville was given some scrutiny over his ride when going for the wrong wrong passage but finishing strongly up the hill to get beat by only 1 ¾ lengths 56 days ago. This JP McManus owned mare will be towards the bottom of the handicap so definitely has a chance.
Navajo Lady also has an entry, this 6yo gelding from the Tom Symonds yard finished three lengths behind Secret Squirrel at Windsor but has a 1lb pull on his reopposing rival here. It will be a return to this track for this gelding who won a good prize on Coral Gold Cup Day in November and although has risen 20lb in the handicap he can’t be ruled out.
The last horse we will look at is Washington trained by Harry Derham, this 9yo gelding has won his last two races, most recently a Listed Handicap Hurdle in Ireland at Fairyhouse. He travelled strongly on that occasion taking it up before the second last to go on to win by five lengths. This gelding isn’t a young horse but is certainly in good spirits.
This looks to be an interesting renewal on Denman Chase and Game Spirit race day. Due off 3.35 Live on ITV Racing.
Betting for this race:
Leading Non UKGC Casinos: Secret Squirrel 5/1, Tellherthename 7/1, Joyeuse 7/1, Navajo Lady 12/1, Hansard 10/1, Favour And Fortune 10/1, Washington 14/1 and its 14/1 bar.
Leading Credit Card Gambling Sites: Secret Squirrel 11/2, Tellherthename 13/2, Joyeuse 7/1, Navajo Lady 10/1, Hansard 12/1, Favour And Fortune 12/1, Washington 12/1 and its 14/1 bar.
Leading Gambling Sites USA: Secret Squirrel 11/2, Tellherthename 13/2, Joyeuse 15/2, Navajo Lady 10/1, Hansard 12/1, Favour And Fortune 12/1, Washington 12/1 and its 16/1 bar.
We wish you the best of luck with your predictions and please remember to gamble responsibly.
