A maximum field of 24 are set to line up in Britain's richest handicap hurdle, the £155,000 Betfair Hurdle (3.35pm), at Newbury on Saturday, and the race will be shown live on ITV Racing.
This long established and valuable hurdle first took place at in 1963 and has been known over the years as the Schweppes Gold Trophy, the Tote Gold Trophy and now in its current guise as the Betfair Hurdle.
This Grade Three hurdle is run over a distance of 2m 1/2f and was once used as a Champion Hurdle trial.
Horses such as Persian War and Make A Stand have won this race before going onto Champion Hurdle glory at Prestbury Park a month later.
Here is your horse racing betting runner-by-runner guide to Saturday’s competitive renewal:
Gumball (Philip Hobbs)
The grey could finish only sixth in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham on his latest start, but Hobbs is hoping for an improved performance at Newbury, with a view to a run in the Champion Hurdle.
He carries top weight but is a class act and should not be dismissed.
Pic D’Ohry (Paul Nicholls)
Arrived from France with a big reputation but things have not quite clicked into place here yet.
The five-year-old drops back in trip after his Ascot outing and he could well be going for the County Hurdle after this.
Stolen Silver (Nigel Twiston-Davies)
The grey literally pick-pocketed Edwardstone on the line in a tremendous race at Haydock and a reproduction of that run would put him bang in contention for this.
Haydock form traditionally carries well and Stolen Silver has to be on any shortlist.
Harambe (Alan King)
A versatile runner who came off the pace well to land the spoils in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham. The seven-year-old looks the type for the big occasion.
Not So Sleepy (Hughie Morrison)
A pocket rocket who has absolutely blitzed his rivals so far over hurdles, having made the transition well after a successful Flat career.
This will be his toughest assignment to date but he will certainly be up there in the box seat.
Mill Green (Nicky Henderson)
Won last time out from Eldorado Allen, with the pair finishing well clear of the rest of the field.
He hails from a top stable so is worth a precautionary look in the betting.
Nelson River (Tony Carroll)
Regularly races at the All-Weather tracks and probably would be better off sticking to that. It would be a major shock if this one won.
Thebannerkingrebel (Jamie Snowden)
Jamie Snowden is hoping defeat for Thebannerkingrebel at Haydock last time was merely a blip and that he can avenge that defeat here.
Effectively he is 4lbs well in now so great things are expected - he could be a leading player in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
Never Adapt (Nicky Henderson)
The strong travelling Never Adapt is a horse on the up and she could still have plenty more to come after her victory at Kempton. She must learn to settle however.
Remiluc (Chris Gordon)
A veteran performer who sprang a big surprise last year by finishing runner-up at 50/1 in the County Hurdle. He looks very exposed in this race.
Oakley (Philip Hobbs)
Oakley was just touched off in the closing stages at Cheltenham’s International meeting and is in fantastic form this season.
Well backed down from 20/1 earlier in the week, the seven-year-old should make his presence felt.
Zanza (Philip Hobbs)
Fell early doors at Ascot last time out and looks to have a monumental task on his hooves.
Ecco (Paul Nicholls)
Kicked off this season with a couple of wins at short odds and ran a decent enough race behind Fred last time out at Kempton. A career best will be required.
Lightly Squeeze (Harry Fry)
Highly consistent this season and has just notched up a three-timer with a win at Plumpton. However, this is a different kettle of fish altogether but could yet run at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival.
Ciel de Neige (Willie Mullins)
It’s 15 years since the last Irish based horse won this race and this J.P McManus-owned horse will also have to shake off his maiden tag to score in this.
He’s well fancied to do so mind.
Whoshotthesheriff (Philip Kirby)
Finished a good fifth to Not So Sleepy at Ascot in December in what was a proper test for the northern raider and he should come on for the run. He looks a little overpriced to be honest.
Quoi De Neuf (Evan Williams)
He was brought down early last time out in the race won by Not So Sleepy but prior to that finished a fairly close fourth behind Harambe in the Greatwood Hurdle. He looks a very backable each-way runner.
Highly Prized (Emma Lavelle)
The globetrotting seven-year-old has been a revelation since he joined National Hunt trainer to follow Emma Lavelle from the US, registering a hat-trick this season, but unfortunately the going may well bring that run to an end on Saturday.
Sir Valentine (Nigel Twiston-Davies)
He would be a topical winner a week before Valentine’s Day if he could land this race and owner Dai Walters would certainly love that. Sir Valentine and Stolen Silver are both part-owned by Walters who was successful last year with Al Dancer.
What with Nigel Twiston-Davies having saddled three of the last six winners of this race too, the stars are well and truly aligned.
Flegmatik (Dan Skelton)
The expected strong pace will suit this five-year-old down to the ground and if he can build upon his last run at Wetherby he could be considered an interesting dark horse.
Magic Dancer (Kerry Lee)
Ran a decent second to the multiple winner Tea Clipper last time out but that form does not really look up to this standard on the face of it.
Neff (Gary Moore)
His form figures look extremely sexy at first glance, but they were achieved at nowhere near the level that will be required to take this and massive improvement will be required.
Mack The Man (Evan Williams)
The six-year-old has impressed with back-to-back wins this season and the upward curve could well continue this weekend.
He looks incredibly well handicapped and holds a solid favourites chance.
Tamaroc Du Mathan (Paul Nicholls)
French recruit Tamaroc Du Mathan was well beaten by Not So Sleepy at Ascot and will need a massive turnaround in form to reverse that thrashing.
Betfair Hurdle: Prediction
Based upon the trainer trends in recent years for this race it is quite conceivable that Nigel Twiston-Davies can scoop this prize again with either one of his two runners.
The selection marginally goes the way of Sir Valentine (nap) with Stolen Silver a very honourable (nb).
888sport suggests: Sir Valentine and Stolen Silver (e/w).
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Javier Fergo / AP Photo*
