SONG LIGHT CAN SHINE TO CROWD OUT RIVALS
NOVICES dominate the market for today’s Betfair Hurdle with lightly raced pair Ballyandy and Movewiththetimes sure to be fancied by many — and justifiably so.
The former, a previous winner of the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival, is yet to hit the heights over hurdles, but has run into some very useful adversaries such as Moon Racer and Messire Des Obeaux and may find this dip into handicap company to his liking.
Movewiththetimes is a rather more raw and unexposed type but has displayed plenty of potential, not least behind Ballyandy in a muddling race at Cheltenham last November (won by Moon Racer) and he resides on a similar mark to his rival, which may appear generous if stable confidence in his chance is to be believed.
However, the rigorous nature of a big-field handicap hurdle can sometimes find out the inexperienced and one horse which shouldn’t have an issue is SONG LIGHT (Newbury, 4.35). The selection hasn’t been seen since performing commendably to finish third in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham behind North Hill Harvey. The runner-up Modus, fourth-placed A Hare Breath and dual scorer Brain Power (eighth) have all been successful since.
The manner in which Song Light moved through that competitive handicap was perhaps the most salient aspect of his performance as he looked the winner for a long way. He is clearly suited by a clutch of runners and an honest pace given his results in double-figure fields are impressive.
Admittedly, his conversion rate could be a little better, but the seven-year-old is often competing in the most prestigious handicap hurdles on the calendar. Of his rivals, Clyne has seen the form of his Haydock victory rubber-stamped a couple of times, while William H Bonney was arguably more impressive in victory at Cheltenham than the finishing margin suggested.
Irish raider Veinard is a similar type to the selection in that he often moves powerfully into contention in competitive handicaps and it would be no surprise to see him appear on the scene travelling strongly again. However, Song Light narrowly gains the nod.
The nap vote goes the way of AFONSO DE SOUSA (Lingfield, nap, 4.50) who bids to end a lengthy losing run in the finale at the Surrey venue. The seven-year-old intimated that his time without success may be drawing to a close a fortnight ago when chasing home Sennockian Star over course and distance and a repeat success on the clock would be sufficient to produce that overdue win.