Horse racing tips: Templegate pick and complete runner-by-runner guide to blockbuster Betfair Hurdle at Newbury

HACKER can chop down his rivals.

Hacker Des Places showed his liking for a big-field handicap when battling to win at Cheltenham last time. A 5lb penalty for that gives him every chance of following up.

PA

Filey Bay looks a plot by canny Emmet Mullins and could be well ahead of the handicapper.

Monviel and Rubaud are both progressive and can have their say, while Teddy Blue looks a decent each-way price.

Betfair Hurdle runner-by-runner guide

GLORY AND FORTUNE 3

GLORY bid. His last victory was this 12 months ago from a 5lb lower mark and wasn’t disgraced in a couple of Grade 1s before going over fences where he’s struggled.

He’ll be happier back over hurdles and his liking for the track could see him outrun his odds.

ICARE ALLEN 3

ALL to play for. Fourth in the Triumph Hurdle last year and promise dropped into a handicap when third in a big field at Fairyhouse.

He’s up 6lb but Willie Mullins is always respected on this side of the Irish Sea and this trip is ideal. He’s only five so should have more to come.

HIGHWAY ONE O TWO 3

ONE to watch. Landed a hot handicap at Ascot in October before finding the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle too much at Kempton.

This is more his level and an 8lb hike for that last win doesn’t look too harsh. The trip suits and he’ll be out of trouble up front.

HACKER DES PLACES 5

HACKER backer. Has yet to run a bad race including when third in the red-hot Imperial Cup at Sandown and landing a big Cheltenham handicap two Saturdays ago.

He gets on well with 5lb claimer Angus Cheleda and can cope with a penalty. This trip is ideal and he is capable of another step forward.

TRITONIC 1

NO Tri. Won on the Flat in October but his hurdling form either side of that has been poor and he was out of his depth in a Cheltenham Grade 2 last time. 

NO ORDINARY JOE 3

JOE for it. Landed his first handicap when battling up the straight to score at Kempton at Christmas. U a fair 5lb for that which came over today’s trip. This is his hardest task yet but there should be more to come.

FAIVOIR 2

NOT my Faiv. Often runs well in big-field handicaps without winning as when fourth in good company at Kempton latest. Coming down the weights and likes this trip but needs more.

AUCUNRISQUE 3

WORTH a Risque. Won a Grade 2 at Kempton this time last year before signing off the season with a gutsy Plumpton success.

He’s been chasing since and more than held his own in the Wayward Lad at Kempton. He looks well handicapped returning to the smaller obstacles and won’t be far away.

FILEY BAY 4

BAY good hope. He’s taken a step forward since moving to canny Emmet Mullins with handicap wins at Doncaster and Wincanton.

He didn’t have to get out of first gear and looks well ahead of the handicapper even after a 9lb rise for that. This trip is ideal and he’s been well backed.

ONEMOREFORTHEROAD 2

LONG Road. Has dropped to the mark that saw him win the Gerry Fielden here two years ago and he’s gone close a few times at a decent level. He was below par at Ascot last time but could do better.

TEDDY BLUE 3

BEAR with Teddy. Didn’t have a lot to beat at Lingfield last time but did it nicely on the back of a fair handicap effort here.

This is much hotter so he’ll have to find more but he’s only five and has few miles on the clock. This trip is his best.

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MONVIEL 4

C’Mon. It’s early days for Philip Hobbs’ hope and he looked a prospect when winning by eight lengths at Ascot last time out in November.

That came over this trip and he quickened so a 10lb rise in the weights may not put the brakes on. He should have a lot more to come.

RUBAUD 4

THERE’S the Rub. Showed promise with back-to-back wins at Taunton before an encouraging second in better company at Kempton on Boxing Day.

He makes his handicap debut from what could end up being a lenient mark and Paul Nicholls loves these big Saturday pots.

RESTITUTION 2

GIVE it a Rest. He’s been hiked 11lb for winning easily at Doncaster over a similar distance last time.

Alan King’s hope showed a good turn of pace so that rise is probably fair but he’s taking on much stronger opposition today. 

GLORIOUS ZOFF 1

ZOFF the pace. He won a juvenile hurdle at Sligo for Gordon Elliott three years ago but nothing since and ran on the Flat for Fergal O’Brien last time.

That was his debut after 16 months off for that in-form trainer so he’s likely to do a lot better but this still looks tough.

YORKSEA 1

ALL at Sea. Landed a nice win in the mud at Fontwell last time but is taking a big hike in class here.

DEERE MARK 2

BIT Deere. Has progressed nicely this season from finishing second in a Cheltenham novice to game wins at Hereford and on handicap debut at Kempton last month. He can build on that but rain would help as heavy ground suits.

MASTER CHEWY 3

CHEWY has teeth. He has shown some promise at novice level including when second at Plumpton last time. He earlier went close at Cheltenham and hasn’t been clobbered for this handicap debut. He’s another with more to offer.

Templegate’s Betfair Hurdle tip

Hacker Des Places showed his liking for a big-field handicap when battling to win at Cheltenham last time. A 5lb penalty for that gives him every chance of following up.

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