Silver can steal the gold again
STOLEN SILVER (Newbury, 3.35) lived up to his name when snatching success at Haydock last time and he boasts the opportunity to pinch the top prize in today’s Betfair Hurdle.
Victory for the selection was tantamount to grand larceny at the north- west venue when he defied in- play odds of 999- 1 to overhaul Edwardstone and one of today’s rivals, Thebannerkingrebel, inside the final 100 yards for a highly unlikely triumph.
Stolen Silver did extremely well to win as the track appeared on the tight side — the switch to a more galloping venue this afternoon may see him in a better light. His stable has won three of the last six renewals of the prestigious hurdling feature and it is worth noting the selection’s connections were quick to nominate the Betfair Hurdle as a likely port of call following the gallant Haydock win last month.
The prospect of a generous gallop — courtesy of Not So Sleepy and Thebannerkingrebel among others — should aid Stolen Silver, who appears likely to be ridden fairly handily himself, and also fits the profile of a number of recent winners.
The Twiston-Davies camp has another interesting contender in the form of Sir Valentine, who should enjoy a return to a track which saw him run out a smooth winner of a novice hurdle last November.
He couldn’t lay a glove on runaway winner Not So Sleepy at Ascot over Christmas, but his old adversary may not be afforded quite such an advantage at the head of affairs this time, so Sir Valentine may narrow the deficit.
The likes of the well-handicapped Mack The Man also make plenty of appeal with the form of his Warwick and Sandown successes working out so well, while those that like to take a chance at huge prices may consider course specialist Zanza at his tidy morning odds. Unbeaten in both starts at the track, Zanza has been equipped with the hood once more, headgear which has been absent for his two recent outings.
He should enjoy the strong pace that is usual in these big-field handicaps and could out-run his price at his favoured venue.