Another field-size blow as 16 confirmed for Britain's richest handicap hurdle

Only 16 horses were confirmed at the five-day stage for Saturday's Betfair Hurdle at Newbury, with leading ante-post contender Onemorefortheroad among the notable absentees.

Worth £155,000, Britain's richest handicap hurdle has a maximum field limit of 24 but there will be an unusually low turnout with Onemorefortheroad, who had been a 9-1 chance, joined by Elle Est Belle, No Ordinary Joe and Adagio in missing the race.

A big field has generally assembled for the Betfair Hurdle with 23 runners last season and 24 in 2020 and 2018. There were 14 runners in 2019 when the race was rescheduled at Ascot.

Betfair Hurdle confirmations

Novices have dominated the race in recent years and they are strongly represented again with Knappers Hill, Broomfield Burg and Jpr One prominent in the betting.

Nigel Twiston-Davies has won three of the last eight runnings of the race and has left in I Like To Move It, while last year's winner Soaring Glory remained on course for a repeat bid off top weight.

Betfair spokesman Barry Orr said: "It's a three-way split at the top with Jpr One, Broomfield Burg and Knappers Hill at 5-1 and just a point back to last year's winner Soaring Glory at 6-1."

The undercard at Newbury's Saturday fixture also includes the Betfair Denman Chase (2.25), where King George runner-up Clan Des Obeaux will bid to hand trainer Paul Nicholls back-to-back success in the Grade 2 contest.

Clan des Obeaux: set to run in the Denman Chase at Newbury on SaturdayCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Clan Des Obeaux will likely take on four rivals, headed by the Venetia Williams-trained Royale Pagaille, who was last seen landing a successful defence of his title in the Peter Marsh.

Imperial Aura will aim to put a series of disappointing runs behind him for trainer Kim Bailey while Eldorado Allen and De Rasher Counter also feature.

Clan Des Obeaux's stablemate Bravemansgame is also entered in the Denman Chase but Nicholls confirmed on Monday the star novice will run in Saturday's novice handicap chase (1.15) instead.

Cheltenham hopeful Bravemansgame to run in novice handicap at Newbury

The seven-year-old seeks to continue his unbeaten streak this season over fences ahead of a trip to the Cheltenham Festival, where is his currently 7-2 second-favourite for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase on March 16.

Six runners are also entered in the Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase (3.00), the second Grade 2 contest at Newbury, where Sceau Royal will aim to claim his second win in the contest following a two-length victory over Champ and Greaneteen last year.

Tingle Creek runner-up Hitman and last-time-out winners
Funambule Sivola and Editeur Du Gite head up the challengers for the 2m½f test, while Cheddleton and Sky Pirate complete the field.

Edwardstone: could reoppose Third Time Lucki in the Kingmaker Novices' Chase on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Warwick's Saturday fixture could feature a fascinating clash between Britain's leading Arkle hopes Edwardstone and Third Time Lucki in the Virgin Bet Kingmaker Novices' Chase (2.05).

A course-and-distance winner in November, Edwardstone has secured two decisive victories in Graded company this season and is priced 3-1 to cap off his novice season with success at Cheltenham in March.

He could face up to seven rivals including Third Time Lucki, who was third behind Edwardstone in the Henry VIII Novices' Chase but bounced back in dazzling fashion last month to romp home in the Lightning Novices' Chase under Harry Skelton by 30 lengths.

Brave Seasca, who is on the hunt for a four-timer for trainer Venetia Williams, is also set to feature alongside Grade 2 winner Adrimel for the yard of Tom Lacey.

Betfair Hurdle (Newbury, February 12)

Sponsors: 5 Jpr One, Broomfield Burg, Knappers Hill, 6 Soaring Glory, 8 Jetoile, Metier, Tritonic, 10 Boothill, I Like To Move It, 16 Fifty Ball, 20 First Street, Royaume Uni, Glory And Fortune, 33 Howdyalikemenow, 40 Lord Baddesley, 66 Natural History

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