Saturday’s renewal of the Betfair Hurdle looks as competitive as ever and there are some very interesting contenders at double-figure odds, thanks to the familiar way in which betting interest has focused on runners from high-profile yards. Amore Alato (3.35), for example, may not quite be the most likely winner but his chance is very much understated by odds of 25-1 and the six-year-old appeals as great each-way value.
Nick Williams’s charge was an unrefined front-runner as a novice last year, when he won at Wincanton and Kempton. His tearaway habits counted against him as he was stepped up in class but he did well to stick on for second behind Irving in a Grade Two, ahead of Cup Final and First Mohican, who were getting weight.
Amore Alato’s career best came on his first run this winter, when he gave a stone to Snake Eyes at Sandown and was beaten only half a length. That was an excellent performance, entitling him to get involved here from a 3lb higher mark, especially with Lizzie Kelly claiming her valuable 7lb off him for the first time.
Backers will have to forgive him a disappointing effort back at Sandown last month but he was held up in a race in which prominent racers fared best. The fact that he is more settled this season is a positive and there is every chance this contest will work out better for him.
Others of interest include Aso on his handicap debut, penalised for a Grade Two success. He would need the Newbury ground to be testing and it is hard to be sure whether it will be after a week under frost covers. Forced Family Fun is going the right way and comes from a yard that won this four years ago. Both of those horses are available at big odds.
Those at the front of the market are respected but look too short. Calipto may have seemed unlucky in the Triumph but his subsequent efforts suggest he ran close to form and he is not obviously well treated. Activial ran well in a similar race at Ascot but has been raised 6lb for that defeat, when he was behind Pine Creek, who is on offer at twice his odds here.
1.50 Newbury Closing Ceremony is easy to like after two wins and a second place behind a handicap blot who won again from an 11lb higher mark next time. But it is worth remembering he held Milan Bound by only a head when the pair met at Haydock in November and the runner-up is 11lb better off at the weights this time. Milan Bound has not been seen since then, his stable having gone through rather a dry patch the following month, but Jonjo O’Neill’s runners are flying along now and he may get his revenge, with Tony McCoy aboard for the first time in a year. Provo is well treated but likely to need this.
2.05 Warwick Vibrato Valtat looks like one to stick with, now that he appears to have left behind whatever it was that made him so unconvincing at the end of his races. He looks a top-notcher and should have a bit in hand over the useful types he faces here, especially if this becomes a test of speed.
2.25 Newbury It is tempting to take the worth of Coneygree’s Grade One win with a pinch of salt because that race, at Kempton over Christmas, rather fell apart behind him. But it is quite possible that the same thing may happen here, particularly as Harry Topper and Taquin Du Seuil have become disappointing. Houblon Des Obeaux has put up two excellent handicap efforts this winter but such form does not always translate well into small-field conditions races and Venetia Williams’ runner has not been a frequent winner.
2.40 Warwick Glens Melody is on a losing run but this is by far her most winnable opportunity since she won the same race last year. Willie Mullins’ mare is two from two around Warwick, has the help of Paul Townend, who rode a double at Ffos Las last Saturday, and her rivals will need a career best to turn her over.
3.00 Newbury It is hard to know how much Mr Mole has achieved with his two small-field successes this season, Brick Red running second each time. It remains a stretch to imagine him beating Sire De Grugy, even if the champion chaser is short of peak fitness and conceding 4lb. Uxizandre is probably best watched after a vexing foray to Ireland over Christmas.
