There's little risk in taking this solid option in red-hot Betfair Hurdle

Harambe
3.35 Newbury
Buy at 6 on the index

It's not out of the question you could see a horse with 5lb or so in hand over its handicap mark and finish out of the frame in the Betfair Hurdle. In such circumstances, the best play is to take the horse best equipped to pick up minor honours.

In the Betfair Hurdle, that might well be Harambe. He has plenty of form in big fields, going back to a Grade 2 at Aintree in his bumper days.

In the last 12 months, he has made big strides in big-field handicaps, finishing second to Getaway Trump at Sandown, then winning the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham.

He has incurred a 7lb rise for the latter and has not run since. It could be that the County Hurdle is his main aim. More likely is that he will be fit enough to do himself justice in this more valuable race.

There will probably be better handicapped horses than Harambe. Few will have shown as much in the way of credentials to be involved at the business end of this race. They are riskier.

The match bet in the Betfair Hurdle also makes some appeal. Never Adapt is highly promising, but looked a challenging ride at Kempton last time, and Mack The Man would be the percentage call.

It is just felt that, by a narrow margin, going with Harambe keeps fate in our own hands to a greater extent than taking on Never Adapt.

3.35 Newbury
Sporting (50-30-20-10): 11-14 Not So Sleepy, 9-12 Never Adapt, Mack The Man, 8-11 Ciel De Neige, 7-9 Thebannerkingrebel, 4-6 Stolen Silver, Harambe, Oakley, Highly Prized, 3-5 Pic D'Orhy, Ecco, Quoi De Neuf, Sir Valentine, 2-4 Gumball, Mill Green, Whoshotthesheriff, Flegmatik, 1-3 Nelson River, Zanza, Lightly Squeeze, Magic Dancer, Neff, 0.5-2 Remiluc, Tamaroc Du Mathan

Match bet: Mack The Man/Never Adapt -0.75/0.75

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