Broomfield Burg strengthens position at head of Betfair Hurdle market

Punters are trusting the big-race favourite Broomfield Burg to deliver in the £155,000 Betfair Hurdle (3.35), with his price continue to shorten ahead of racing on Saturday.

Representing JP McManus and Nicky Henderson who teamed up to win this with My Tent Or Yours in 2013, the novice was a highly impressive winner at Kempton last time and is a general 3-1 chance (from 4-1).

This comes as Jpr One has drifted out to 7-1 – he was favourite with some firms earlier in the week at 11-2.

Elsewhere, Royale Pagaille is a significant market mover in the Betfair Denman Chase (2.25), and is now challenging for favouritism with Clan Des Obeaux.

The eight-year-old was back to winning form in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock last month and is now a general 7-4 chance (from 9-4).

Favourite Clan Des Obeaux, successful in this race in 2019, is 6lb better on official ratings but his price is now as big as 6-4 (from 11-10) with Unibet. His trainer Paul Nicholls has spoken this week of his frustration with the stable's form, with one winner from 37 runners.

Royale Pagaille: fancied for the Betfair Denman ChaseCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

That has not deterred punters from Hitman who has been backed into 2-1 favouritism for the Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase (3.00). Stablemate Bravemansgame is 10-11 for the opening 2m7½f novice handicap chase.

Good in places was added to the good to soft going description on Saturday morning, with the drier patch reported on the home straight. No rain is forecast for Newbury this afternoon.

"It's a little bit drier," said clerk of the course Keith Ottesen. "I put good in places in the going description but the GoingStick has barely changed. The good would be in the home straight in the last couple of furlongs. It'll ride on the slow side, sort of dead winter ground.

"We should stay dry through racing, there's a chance of light rain after."

Brave Seasca: returns to WarwickCredit: Edward Whitaker

The highlight at Warwick is the Virgin Bet Kingmaker Novices' Chase (2.05) and there has been some support for another Brave Seasca, another for Williams, who is now 4-1 (from 6-1).

A course and distance winner last time, he faces a tough ask against Edwardstone and Third Time Lucki in the Grade 2 feature where he seeks a fourth consecutive success.

There is a chance of showers at Warwick this afternoon but that is unlikely to change the ground, which remains good to soft.

Tom Ryall, clerk of the course at Warwick, said: "We're still good to soft, it's still holding its moisture well. We're dry most of the day but we might get a shower during racing. I don't expect conditions to change.

"We're on shared bends but they're all out from our last meeting, the hurdles have been moved across so we're on fresher ground – it's as fresh as we can get it at this time of year."

Market movers

Newbury
2.25: Royale Pagaille 7-4 (from 9-4)
3.00: Hitman 15-8 (from 5-2)
3.35: Broomfield Burg 3-1 (from 4-1), Royaume Uni 12-1 (from 14-1)
4.45: Filanderer 8-1 (from 10-1)

Warwick
2.05: Brave Seasca 9-2 (from 6-1)
2.40: Dibble Decker 7-2 (from 6-1)

Non-runners

Newbury
1.15: Fern Hill, IK Brunel
1.50: Skandiburg
3.00: Editeur Du Gite
4.10: Phoenix Aquilus
4.45: Astronomic View

Warwick
1.00: Doctor Ken
3.15: Our Power

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