Morrison eyes £100k bonus with Betfair Hurdle hope Not So Sleepy

Hughie Morrison, better known for his exploits on the Flat, has money on his mind as he contemplates running Champion Hurdle dark horse Not So Sleepy in Britain's richest handicap hurdle before going for gold in the day-one highlight at Cheltenham.

Lady Blyth's classy homebred was useful on the Flat, but is enjoying his second career over hurdles and was an emphatic winner of the Grade 3 Betfair Exchange Trophy at Ascot in December.

That success was lucrative in its own right with £85,425 going to the winner, but the Beat Hollow gelding will also pocket a £100,000 bonus if he wins Newbury's Betfair Hurdle on February 8.

He was among 56 entries for the £155,000 contest, for which Betfair Sportsbook make him their 8-1 favourite.

The eight-year-old is a general 33-1 for the Unibet Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

"We have put Not So Sleepy in the Betfair Hurdle and we are going to think about it," Morrison said.

Trainer Hughie Morrison was all smiles at Ascot last monthCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I realised there was an extra £100,000 in the pot before I entered him in the previous race. The Champion Hurdle is not the strongest race at the moment, but the Betfair Hurdle bonus definitely pushes us towards thinking about Newbury.

"Some people were quite rude about his jumping but I thought he was actually pretty slick at Ascot. We will let the dust settle, discuss it over the next couple of weeks and see how we're going.

"He went up 17lb, which is a lot, but you can't complain. When you win a big handicap by that margin you deserve it. You can't be expected to get away with 7lb or 8lb after that.

"The improvement surprised me, though when he won the previous time his coat didn't look great and he got a bit warm beforehand. The next time he looked very well in his coat and ran a stone better.

"We will debate it with the owners but I think it's best if you have the time not to jump to any conclusions, but sit and be quiet about it and then discuss it when reality kicks in. He took the race well."

Morrison has previous with the Betfair Hurdle when Marble Arch, who had won the same Ascot race as Not So Sleepy, was pulled up in 2002 before going on to finish second in the Champion Hurdle a month later.

"Marble Arch bombed out in the race at Newbury because the ground was very soft," reflected Morrison, who trains not far from the Berkshire track in East Ilsley.

"It was quick at Ascot and then it was quick enough on Champion Hurdle day when he was able to perform to his best."

Exciting novice The Bannerkingrebel and last season's Triumph winner Pentland Hills, who is 7-1 for the Champion Hurdle, have also been entered for the Betfair Hurdle.

Click here to view the Betfair Hurdle entries

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