Harry Redknapp on his Betfair Hurdle hope and a Soccer Saturday clash

Harry Redknapp admitted he may need to sneak away from his Sky Sports punditry duties for five minutes on Saturday to watch Shakem Up'Arry contest the Grade 3 Betfair Hurdle (3.35) at Newbury.

The owner and former leading football manager will make his debut on Soccer Saturday but did not realise his appearance would clash with his talented seven-year-old lining up in the £125,000 handicap, for which he is a best price 16-1 with the sponsors and bet365.

"I'll have to ask Jeff Stelling to find a way to get me off air for a bit to watch the race as I'm not going to miss him running. To be truthful, if I had remembered he was running I might not have agreed to it," joked Redknapp in a Zoom call hosted by Great British Racing.

Shakem Up'Arry, who was among 26 confirmations for the race on Monday, will have to reverse form with Metier, who finished 12 lengths ahead of him in the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle last month.

"He's come up against some good horses in Metier and Shishkin last season. He's ran well in big races to finish second," said Redknapp.

Metier: ante-post favourite for the Betfair Hurdle at NewburyCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

The owner, who said he would take a day at Newbury over watching the Champions League final, added: "It would give me a real buzz to win with him. Hopefully we can get back to the racecourse soon and see him run in some more big races.

"Live sport has been massive for people and I don't know what we'd have done without it. It's been great having racing in the afternoons, with football in the evenings, it's helping to keep everybody sane."

His trainer Ben Pauling issued a positive update on Shakem Up'Arry and predicted the second-season novice hurdler could be "absolutely out of the top drawer" when he switches to chasing next season.

"He's been in good form all season," said Pauling. "We've had to be patient with him and keep him as a second-season novice. He's definitely a chaser in the making but just needed a bit of time.

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"He's getting better with every run and goes to Newbury with a great shout. He's a strong traveller, a good jumper and he handles soft ground. I think he's as well as we've ever had him.

"This season has been pretty straightforward for him. He had the rest of the field well beaten on his most recent start. The big question for him is whether to try to go a bit further with him over fences."

Last month, Harry Fry warned punters the ante-post favourite Metier was not a definite runner, but the trainer has kept his options open and the five-year-old heads the betting at 6-1 with the sponsors.

Metier, general 7-1 second favourite behind Appreciate It for next month's Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle, could bid to enhance the recent strong record of novices in the Betfair Hurdle.

Sky Pirate: among the confirmations for the Betfair HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker

In-form chaser Sky Pirate would be an intriguing contender if taking up his entry for Jonjo O'Neill, who is also responsible for Soaring Glory, as his hurdle rating is 12lb lower than his chase mark.

Buzz, one of two entries for Nicky Henderson along with Mister Coffey, tops the weights, while Nigel Twiston-Davies could bid for a fourth Betfair Hurdle win in eight years with Guard Your Dreams.

Dan Skelton has taken out Third Time Lucki, who was fourth at Musselburgh on Sunday, but holds solid claims with lightly-raced second favourite Cadzand and recent Haydock winner Faivoir.

Albert's Back and Galice Macalo were other notable absentees, while there were no Irish runners going forward for the big handicap.

Betfair Hurdle
Betfair Exchange: 6-1 Metier, 10 Cadzand, Mister Coffey, Soaring Glory, 12 Edwardstone, On To Victory, 14 Buzz, Fifty Ball, 16 bar

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