Keith Melrose explains why you must heed two big trends in the Betfair Hurdle
Saturday: 3.35 Newbury
Betfair Hurdle (Handicap) (Grade 3) | 2m½f | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV
The trends associated with any race have to derive from somewhere. No race is inherently bent a certain way, which is why factoids like 'favourites have a good record' should always be treated with suspicion. What could possibly imbue a single race with that sort of characteristic?
The Betfair Hurdle, being a long-standing handicap that tends to produce big fields and loads of betting activity, has its own associated trends. What is interesting is that they have tended to shift over time. Over the last ten years or so in particular, it has become a hotbed of breakthrough novices who tend to jump to prominence in the betting for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inPreviews
Last updated
Copy- Cheltenham Festival form tested, a veteran in rude health and a mare worth noting - punting pointers for Monday's racing
- 4.12 Southwell: can Ronnies Rules put hurdling blips behind him and confirm bumper promise for Dan Skelton?
- 4.02 Leopardstown: 'I'd like to think he has every chance' - is this the day Monbeg Park gets rewarded for his consistency?
- Henry Daly chaser out to defend his crown and a handicapper to note at Huntingdon - punting pointers for Sunday
- Saturday updates: consistent Nigel Twiston-Davies chaser well supported for Doncaster's Grimthorpe Chase
- Cheltenham Festival form tested, a veteran in rude health and a mare worth noting - punting pointers for Monday's racing
- 4.12 Southwell: can Ronnies Rules put hurdling blips behind him and confirm bumper promise for Dan Skelton?
- 4.02 Leopardstown: 'I'd like to think he has every chance' - is this the day Monbeg Park gets rewarded for his consistency?
- Henry Daly chaser out to defend his crown and a handicapper to note at Huntingdon - punting pointers for Sunday
- Saturday updates: consistent Nigel Twiston-Davies chaser well supported for Doncaster's Grimthorpe Chase