Timeform runner by runner on the Betfair hurdle
Timeform provide you with their verdict on the valuable Betfair Hurdle...
Rolling Star was disappointing at Cheltenham and Aintree after making a winning start for current yard, but back on track at Haydock on return, and easy to forgive a flop at Ascot since. Slight concern that he's best fresh.
Far West finished second in the Triumph, and filled the same spot behind Melodic Rendezvous in Elite Hurdle at Wincanton in November. Reliable, and can bounce back from rare below-par effort in race won by Rolling Star at Haydock in November.
Irish Saint was smart as a juvenile and put shaky start to current campaign behind him when easily winning 19f Grade 2 handicap at Ascot last time. Suited by forcing tactics there, and well treated under a penalty.
Smashing was fairly useful in France for Mickaël Seror, but has improved since joining Willie Mullins, winning minor events at Fairyhouse and Limerick. Folly to assume he's reached his limit.
Act of Kalanisi is not a natural chaser, but has thrived back over timber this term, scoring readily in 2m handicaps at Ffos Las and Leicester. Still in front when unseating last time, but needs to raise his game again.
Chris Pea Green was a useful juvenile and has produced three solid in-frame efforts in handicaps this time round, fourth of 20 to Willow's Saviour in Ladbroke at Ascot (2m) last time. Sure to give his running again.
Gibb River shaped as if retaining plenty of ability when fifth of 12 to Pine Creek in listed handicap at Ascot in November. Faded into mid-field behind Vendor here (19f) next time, but could easily bounce back.
Deep Trouble is progressing well, for all he should have followed up Sandown win at Kempton last time. Clearly quirky, but capable of outrunning odds if getting strongly-run race which suits his hold-up style.
Montbazon was a leading novice hurdler in 2011/12 but absent since finishing fourth in Supreme Novices' nearly 2 years ago. Favourably handicapped, but not had a smooth run in training, and opposable as a result.
Vasco du Ronceray pushed Irish Saint hard in the Adonis at Kempton in February, and not disgraced when fifth in the Triumph Hurdle, but asking a lot for him to be able to take this on belated seasonal return.
Vendor's profile is rather patchy, but bounced back to form when winning big-field handicap over 19f here in November, doing well to pounce off a steady pace. Raised 8 lb for that, but may be capable of better.
First Avenue sprung a shock in the Imperial Cup last March, but temperamental sort hasn't given his running in 3 subsequent hurdles outings. Heavy ground no problem, but easy to swerve on balance.
Swing Bowler is a well-bred mare who won her first 5 starts and enhanced her reputation when third to My Tent Or Yours in this contest last year. Flopped at Cheltenham in March, and big ask to bounce back on return.
Dell' Arca has started to repay hefty price tag when taking the Greatwood at Cheltenham on his first start for David Pipe, and still going well when hampered and unseating in Ladbroke at Ascot. Remains unexposed.
Jumps Road's 3 wins over hurdles have come over 2m at Wincanton. Third in graded events at Cheltenham and Haydock on last 2 starts, but not missed by the assessor as a result, and others much more likely.
Cheltenian won the Champion Bumper in 2011 and has been very lightly raced since. Showed his old ability was intact when winning at Uttoxeter in December, and opening mark is very fair, provided he's able to back that up.
Splash of Ginge won a maiden at Aintree in December and has finished third in a pair of Grade 2s since. May do better still given lightly raced profile, but that's likely to be back in calmer waters than this.
Recession Proof won this race in 2011, and has been lightly raced since. Looked set to build on non-staying effort at Cheltenham in November when falling three out in the Ladbroke at Ascot, and no forlorn hope now.
Alaivan was a smart hurdler at his best for Edward O'Grady (third in the 2010 Triumph). Bounced back to form for current yard when second at Wincanton (2m) last time, and claims if taking another step forward now.
Totalize is a hold-up sort who disappointed in Ladbroke at Ascot, but right back to best in refitted hood at Cheltenham last time, and looks on a workable mark if getting race run to suit his running style.
Prompter was useful on the Flat, and has caught the eye when making the frame on both starts over hurdles this term. Better to come, but heavy ground is a serious concern, and looks one for another day.
Poet was smart on the Flat and made winning hurdling debut over C&D in late-2012, but hasn't progressed, and well beaten in two handicaps this term, albeit doing too much on the front end at Wincanton last time.
Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Irish Saint
2. Smashing
3. Totalize
Timeform View: Paul Nicholls took this with Zarkandar in 2012, and looks to have excellent claims with Irish Saint, who is well treated under a penalty for his recent Ascot romp. Smashing is completely unexposed, and is feared as a rare runner here for Willie Mullins, with Totalize appealing as the best of those at bigger odds.
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