The Betfair Hurdle takes place at Newbury on Saturday and it’s one of the most competitive handicaps outside of the Cheltenham Festival. There’s a mammoth prize pot of £155,000 on offer and that means everyone will be after a piece of the pie. Novices tend to go well in this race and Liam Bramall may have found one that can go all the way. Currently available at 20-1, this ante-post selection offers great value. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
Kamsinas (20-1, William Hill) has produced some rock-solid form in novice hurdles so far but appears to be shy of the level required to compete in the big Grade 1 races. With this in mind, handicaps could be the way to go and he looks tailor-made for this one.
Fergal O’Brien’s seven-year-old made a fine start to his career over hurdles, getting off the mark in good style at Worcester in October. Although the form of that win isn’t much to shout about, he showed plenty of speed on the run-in to pull clear of the second.
He backed that up with a good second in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham next time and may well have finished closer if not for losing a shoe. Grade 2 success beckoned at Haydock on his next start and the third has boosted the form by winning since.
It was a below-par display in a Grade 1 at Aintree when last seen but the switch to handicaps could suit and this mark of 132 is definitely workable. There could be plenty of improvement to come and the last update from connections indicated that this is his target.
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