'Backers of hype horse Buzz are advised to watch his in-running price'

3.35 Ascot
Betfair Exchange Trophy (Grade 3) | 1m7½f | 4yo+ | ITV4/Sky

Shall we just remind the bookies of last year's result of this race? The enthusiastic Not So Sleepy didn't see another rival from start to finish under a light weight and justified heavy market support with a nine-length romp.

Trainer Hughie Morrison suggested an optimistic tilt at the Champion Hurdle would be on his agenda. But Not So Sleepy failed to reproduce such heroics in the Betfair Hurdle or at Cheltenham and is back here on something of a revival mission.

After just one jumps 'effort' this term, when he unseated at the first hurdle, Not So Sleepy remains 15lb higher than 12 months ago and may struggle to replicate his dominant display. However, what is guaranteed is his running style – he will set the pace, a fast one at that. Whether his rivals give him the same amount of rope is another matter.

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Backers of hype horse Buzz are advised to watch his in-running price. Formerly based with Morrison on the Flat before switching to Nicky Henderson, Buzz appeared beaten when niggled along into Swinley Bottom last time out. However, he quickly hit high gear in the straight and eventually won in the style of a useful performer.

Although he was visually impressive at the finish, the time didn't back up the display (9.18sec slower than standard) and he was half a second slower than Metier, who was forced to make his own running in a small-field introductory hurdle earlier on the card.

With top weight of 11st 12lb on testing ground, he will need a monumental effort to justify favouritism. If he does, Henderson could be the next to look towards the Champion Hurdle with a winner of this coveted prize.

His main market rival will be Benson, who was available at 20-1 earlier in the week and sneaks into the final field after picking up a 10lb hike for his strong-staying Sandown strike a fortnight ago.

Handicap experience has proved a crucial element to finding winners of this race in recent years, so Benson wouldn't fit the typical type given he has run only once outside novice company, but trainer Richard Newland is one of the smartest race-placers in the game and boasts an impressive 25 per cent strike-rate (9-36) with hurdlers at this track, resulting in a £1 level-stakes profit of +£51.75. Rule him out at your peril.

Course form is brought to the table by Kid Commando and Malaya, who finished first and second respectively in a Listed handicap hurdle here in October. Malaya gets a 6lb swing for a four-and-three-quarter-length beating, while the fitting of a first-time tongue-tie is an interesting move on a mare who often travels like the best horse in her races.

Four-year-olds Isolate and Night Edition catch the eye with limited figures next to their names. They add an extra dimension to this contest and you don't have to look too far down the roll of honour to see Sternrubin (2015) proving age is no barrier.

It would be folly to forget the Irish plundered the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup last Saturday and Peter Fahey has sent over the intriguing Belfast Banter, who makes his handicap debut off a lenient mark of 129.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

'Tough ask' for Sleepy in repeat bid

Not So Sleepy was joint market leader when winning this a year ago but returns with an arguably bigger profile this time after his antics in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle last time.

After jinking and unseating Paddy Brennan in the wings of the first hurdle, he wiped out third favourite Silver Streak before the second. The eight-year-old continued to be a hazard but did not do any further damage, much to the relief of the other riders, as victory went to Epatante.

Trainer Hughie Morrison said: "Apparently Not So Sleepy is getting quite a following. He has his little foibles but anybody who is rude about what he did at Newcastle only has to look at his record – he won for us as a two-year-old on the Flat and now he's nearly nine, and he's won nearly £300,000."

As to his chances of a follow-up win here, Morrison added: "Tom O'Brien came down and schooled him on Wednesday and he went very well. It's a tough ask to win it again but if he turns up he should go very well."

What they say

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Buzz and Time Flies By
Buzz was impressive last time. He loves the ground and a fast-run two miles is his trip. Time Flies By lacks a bit of experience for this type of race but enjoys soft ground.

Gary Moore, trainer of Botox Has
He'll be better suited by the stiff track and softer ground than at Newbury last time.

Anthony Honeyball, trainer of Kid Commando
If he had come here straight from winning over course and distance in October, he'd have to be favourite as he had quite a progressive profile. The ground will be absolutely what he wants.

Alan King, trainer of Harambe and Isolate
Harambe won the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham last year and would have been placed this time had he not fallen at the last. We thought we'd roll the dice one more time before he tackles fences. Isolate is 6lb lower than Raya Star, who won this for us in 2011. This is a jump in class but he coped with the soft ground at Leicester.

Dan Skelton, trainer of West To The Bridge
He stays two and a half miles and goes in desperate ground. I think you'll need a real stayer to win it this year and he fits the bill.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Malaya
She likes Ascot and very soft ground, which I expect it will be come post time. She has a small chance.

Richard Newland, trainer of Benson
He's up 10lb in a higher grade, so it's a big ask. He seems fine and should handle the ground.

David Pipe, trainer of Night Edition
Ideally I could have done with another couple of weeks with him but he’ll love the ground. Hopefully he'll be competitive in all the big two-mile handicaps this season.

Peter Fahey, trainer of Belfast Banter
He's been consistent but doesn't always finish out his races the strongest. He's got a nice low weight, though, and hopefully they'll go hard in front to allow him to come home well.
Reporting by David Milnes

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'Backers of hype horse Buzz are advised to watch his in-running price'

One horse, one jockey, one trainer and one race to watch on Saturday

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