The 2021 Betfair Hurdle Sun February 21st Newbury

Edwardstone reverts to hurdles up at Market Rasen, having unseated Tom Bellamy before the race had got going on his first time attempt over fences at Doncaster. Alan added:”The owners and I agreed that it is getting a bit late in the season for Edwardstone to pursue a novice chase campaign, so his new target now is the Betfair Handicap Hurdle at Newbury next month.

“He has schooled well since Doncaster, but he needs a prep over hurdles before Newbury for match practice so he goes to Market Rasen for a handicap hurdle, in which he has topweight. He showed when fifth in the Greatwood at Cheltenham in November than he can compete in the top handicaps, and it’s also a plus that he is starting to race properly rather than taking a pull.”
 
Can't see them wanting to pick up a penalty.

I would half-expect a wee educational run round in midfield.

Behind Oscar's Leader :)
 
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Well it is a monster pot so here's a clue, a few horses will have been laid out for the race...
 
Listened to Lydia hislops road to Cheltenham, Skelton was on it and was asked if Cadzand was his County plot. He basically said that his mark will be blown after the Betfair. That and third time lucki to mussleburgh suggest they are very confident. I'm sure there are others equally so, but I was convinced by it.
 
HawkWing said:
Listened to Lydia hislops road to Cheltenham, Skelton was on it and was asked if Cadzand was his County plot. He basically said that his mark will be blown after the Betfair. That and third time lucki to mussleburgh suggest they are very confident. I'm sure there are others equally so, but I was convinced by it.
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Was a good listen.
 
barjon said:
Edwardstone reverts to hurdles up at Market Rasen, having unseated Tom Bellamy before the race had got going on his first time attempt over fences at Doncaster. Alan added:”The owners and I agreed that it is getting a bit late in the season for Edwardstone to pursue a novice chase campaign, so his new target now is the Betfair Handicap Hurdle at Newbury next month.

“He has schooled well since Doncaster, but he needs a prep over hurdles before Newbury for match practice so he goes to Market Rasen for a handicap hurdle, in which he has topweight. He showed when fifth in the Greatwood at Cheltenham in November than he can compete in the top handicaps, and it’s also a plus that he is starting to race properly rather than taking a pull.”
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Only a small field, but I thought Edwardstone oozed class and won as he liked. If it was a prep then they must be confident that a penalty is of no account, otherwise it’s maybe back to plan A chasing.
 
Nicky Henderson has never shirked running good horses in this and Buzz looks set to be then next one....He will take some beating IMO so I am looking no further..all news seems positive
 
Tom Symonds suggesting the Rossington Main a more likely option for Llandinabo Lad’s Cheltenham prep, than the Betfair Hurdle......which is a bit of a pisser.
 
Marb said:
Mack The Man was there or thereabouts in this event last year before being brought down.

He's not taken to fences at all.

The 158 rated Song for Someone was four lengths was behind him at Sandown just over a year ago. I guess he's still fairly handicapped on that form.

I'd want to see him in the final declarations before backing him.

It'd be touch and go whether he'd make the cut off 127.

After the latest chase defeats you'd want a good bulletin off his trainer going into this race.
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Only just seen in the results page that Mack The Man won in a class three handicap hurdle at Wincanton yesterday. After two poor chase efforts that's just what the doctor ordered in terms of having a chance in this race. I'm not sure if he'd carry a penalty now or go up in the handicap for the Betfair now that the weights have been published?
 
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Complete edit (ie I'm a complete idiot):

He was 4lbs 'wrong' in the handicap (assuming Ballyandy runs) so the 5lbs penalty here shouldn't affect his chances in the big scheme of things but it doesn't make his chances any better.
 
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Race conditions state

Penalties after January 10th, 2021, a winner of a hurdle 5lb; of 2 hurdles 8lb (No penalty to increase a horse's weight above 11st 12lb)
 
A five pound penalty should give him an enhanced chance of making the cut I would have thought.
 
Very probably but the cut isn't often an issue in this race (unlike, eg, the County).

Last few years bottom weight (cloth number, max 24) and OR were:

2020: Tamaroc DM (24) 10-3 130
2019: Nelson's Touch (14) 10-6 125
2018: Zalvados (24) 10-7 129
2017: Eddiemaurice (16) 10-6 126
 
I've taken 25/1 Marie's Rock ahead of today's outing. She's been on my radar from the moment she was beaten in the Gerry Fielden (to bad to be true) and Hendo has never hidden how highly he rates her, saying something along the lines of her being just as exciting a prospect as Epatante at the same stage of the season. She still holds a Champion Hurdle entry.

I worry about her picking up a penalty but she's off 141 and Epatante was 159 this time last season so maybe they think she can defy one. However, she might just be out to run well today to let them know where she is in terms of her progress after that GF disappointment.

I probably won't back her today but a return to form would be a nice sight.
 
Desert Orchid said:
I've taken 25/1 Marie's Rock ahead of today's outing. She's been on my radar from the moment she was beaten in the Gerry Fielden (to bad to be true) and Hendo has never hidden how highly he rates her, saying something along the lines of her being just as exciting a prospect as Epatante at the same stage of the season. She still holds a Champion Hurdle entry.

I worry about her picking up a penalty but she's off 141 and Epatante was 159 this time last season so maybe they think she can defy one. However, she might just be out to run well today to let them know where she is in terms of her progress after that GF disappointment.

I probably won't back her today but a return to form would be a nice sight.
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I'd advise extreme caution here Do.
You rarely see Hendo Run a horse with a 2-week break, the timing of this run fits in with a Cheltenham target, rather than the Betfair. He has the Beffair covered. If Ballyandy is pulled out, he bosses the handicap with Buzz. Buzz himself off his original mark would have qualified, moreover would on all evidence have a great chance in his own right....

Mister Coffee is the job horse here....Looks very much in line with the way he has targetted the race with great success in the past!
 
Maxbet said:
I'd advise extreme caution here Do.
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Touché :lol:

I very much take the point but if she runs well today I plan to lay off the Betfair bet just in case it isn't the target.

Anything he does run at Newbury will command the utmost respect and Mister Coffey struck me at Sandown as weighing up the opposition. He and Solo looked to be doing a slow bicycle race from the home turn :)
 
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Desert Orchid said:
I've taken 25/1 Marie's Rock ahead of today's outing. She's been on my radar from the moment she was beaten in the Gerry Fielden (to bad to be true) and Hendo has never hidden how highly he rates her, saying something along the lines of her being just as exciting a prospect as Epatante at the same stage of the season. She still holds a Champion Hurdle entry.

I worry about her picking up a penalty but she's off 141 and Epatante was 159 this time last season so maybe they think she can defy one. However, she might just be out to run well today to let them know where she is in terms of her progress after that GF disappointment.

I probably won't back her today but a return to form would be a nice sight.
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MARIE’S ROCK
Nicky Henderson
Everything that could go wrong did go wrong at Newbury last time where she was much too keen and then found plenty of traffic problems so I’m happy to draw a line through it because she is much better than that and we’re putting a hood and tongue tie on to try and get her to relax. We’ve always thought a great deal of her but she picked up an injury early in her career which kept her off for a while which was frustrating but her work is very good and she will be more adaptable than some with regards to the ground because she has plenty of knee action.
 
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