Betfair Hurdle 2024: Preview, trends and free tip for Newbury’s big handicap

Saturday’s big race for the punters is the Betfair Hurdle in the 3.15 at Newbury, and here at MyRacing we are going to preview the big race and also look at recent trends to try and help you find the winner of the contest. Make sure you check out our free horse racing tips for the weekend on the website!

Main contenders in the betting

Willie Mullins is represented by three runners in the race, with Ocastle Des Mottes just about clinging onto favouritism. Simon Munir & Isaac Souede’s purchase won a handicap at Auteuil last June and he is an interesting runner on first start for the yard.

Next in the betting is Nicky Henderson’s Iberico Lord, who has looked a proper horse since having wind surgery, winning the Greatwood at Cheltenham on his seasonal return. He has work to do to reverse the form with Luccia from his latest start but Nico de Boinville chooses him.

Altobelli looked a horse going places as a novice, winning a bumper and his first two starts over hurdles. Second in a good Ascot handicap on his return, he ran well in third behind Luccia when last seen and has to enter the reckoning.

What horse do the trends point to?

Interestingly, four of the last seven winners of the Betfair Hurdle subsequently went on to run in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. With that in mind, it’s wise to look for a horse with a Supreme entry and the horse that ticks the box is Lookaway for trainer Neil King, who was a gallant second to Captain Teague in the Challow last time.

If you back any of our selections you can watch them live on the free Racing Post app or racingpost.com. Simply log in to one of your bookmaker accounts and click ‘Watch live’ on the racecards.