THE ANTEPOST ANGLE - WILLIAM HILL HURDLE SPECIAL

The race we know as the Betfair Hurdle takes on a new sponsor this year – the inaugural running of the William Hill Hurdle features on a "super saturday" card at Newbury on 8th February. While sponsors may come and go – some things don’t change and it is worth noting some of the key trends in this ultra-competitive handicap.

No horse aged 8 or over has won the race since 2005 and sixteen of the last eighteen winners have been aged 5 or 6. The race typically goes to an up-and-coming type and horses recently out of novice company have a good record in the race. The key to the race looks to be finding a young, improving horse head of the handicapper. Winners often prove better than mere handicappers - many a winner has gone onto to contest and even win grade one contests.

With this in mind, the Nicky Henderson-trained JOYEUSE catches the eye. With just three career starts since being recruited from France, she certainly has the scope to improve and I have a strong suspicion the handicapper has been more than generous in allocating an opening mark of 123.

The selection was only beaten one-and three-quarter lengths by the now 136-rated Wodhooh in a mares listed contest at Cheltenham in December. Whilst Joyeuse was in receipt of eight pounds that day, it is worth noting Danny Gilligan took a valuable three pounds off the back of Wodhooh, so Joyeuse was really in receipt of only five pounds. Given this, a mark of 123 looks pretty lenient..

Joyeuse traveled strongly in the two and a half mile contest at Cheltenham, so the frenetic pace of a showcase two mile handicap hurdle could well suit her. She could be staying on when others have cried enough.

QUEENS GAMBLE was an excellent second on her comeback run in the Gerry Feilden at Newbury and looks to have been put away with this race in mind. She is another likely improver with only four runs over hurdles under her belt. 

This said, Harry Derham’s horses seem to have hit a flat spot with no winner from 29 runners over the last 14 days so preference is for the Nicky Henderson-trained entry.

SELECTION: JOYEUSE EACH WAY – AVAILABLE AT 12/1 PADDY POWER AND BETFAIR

written by Daryl Lay