FRY BANKING ON MISTER PERFECT
NICKY HENDERSON appears to hold a vice-like grip on today’s Betfair Hurdle with five strong candidates, but MISTERTON (Newbury, nap, 3.35) looks a sound bet to spoil the seven Barrows party.
The Henderson quintet will take some stopping, along with at least another dozen strong contenders in what looks one of the fiercest renewals of this prestigious handicap seen in years.
However, Misterton boasts the credentials to win a race of this nature and, having been rested for 83 days since posting a fine effort in defeat in the Greatwood Hurdle, trainer Harry Fry seems to think so, too.
There was no disgrace in that narrow reverse to elgin, who had previously dismantled an excellent field of handicappers at Ascot in a race which has thrown up a host of winners.
The duo came clear of hurdling favourites The New one and old Guard at cheltenham and eagled-eyed form students will note the presence of Jenkins back in seventh. in fairness, Jenkins, with a record of two wins from two at Newbury, has looked a different customer since being equipped with blinkers and asked to race prominently.
High Bridge is another with an unbeaten record in three runs at the Berkshire venue and should not be underestimated despite being saddled with top weight, while bargain-buy irish roe is the best-handicapped horse in the field. Purchased for just €2,000 and trained in yorkshire by pig farmer Peter Atkinson, she narrowly failed to overhaul one of the star mares of the season in Maria’s Benefit at doncaster last time.
The handicapper reacted positively to that performance, raising irish roe by 11lb to a mark of 145, but because the weights for this race were released before that run that increase can’t be implemented today.
Lough derg spirit looks another Henderson runner who has had this race as a long-term objective following an encouraging comeback effort.
With some bookies offering five or six places, Zalvados is of some interest at a huge price. He is the type to enjoy the frenetic nature of this type of race and the change of head gear could prove a smart move.
Last season’s Gold cup third Native river returns after 330 days on the sidelines with injury and has two rivals to beat in the Betfair denman chase.
With next month’s Gold cup his target, quite what we should expect from a horse who traditionally needs his first run after a break is open to question. so
CLOUDY DREAM (Newbury, nb, 2.25) can make his race fitness tell and provide the Jefferson family with an emotional victory following the sad death of Malcolm Jefferson last week.