15:20
Newbury
‘Novices are the way to go’ – Runner-by-runner guide for the William Hill Hurdle
Saturday’s big race is the always-competitive William Hill Hurdle and the £155,000 handicap will be run at Newbury. It’s no surprise that a substantial field of 16 has been declared and it’ll be a tricky puzzle to solve. We’ve assessed the chances of every runner and picked out a free tip for the main event. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
Runners
1. Tutti Quanti
Connections decided to protect his handicap mark after winning a good race over course and distance in November and he should be competitive off an 8lb higher mark.
2. Go Dante
Olly Murphy’s runner won the Imperial Cup at Sandown last season but that was after a below-par display in this race. He’s pretty exposed and there’s not much room to manoeuvre with his current mark.
3. Bucephalus
This horse is useful at a certain level but was comfortably beaten off a lower mark in a lesser race last time out. It’s hard to be too confident with that in mind.
4. Wellington Arch
Jonjo & AJ O’Neill’s gelding battled on well to win a decent prize at Aintree back in April and has been dropped 1lb since his latest effort. Wellington Arch looks a little overpriced here and could surprise.
5. Faivoir
It’s sometimes difficult to know what to expect from Dan Skelton-trained handicappers but Faivoir has been very poor so far this season and is probably one to leave alone.
6. Un Sens La Vie
Novices are often the way to go when trying to find an unexposed runner and Un Sens La Vie fits the bill. He has won twice over hurdles already this season and could be set to improve in handicaps.
7. Lanesborough
We probably haven’t seen the best of him just yet but he won well over this trip at Doncaster on seasonal debut. Ben Pauling’s gelding does need to improve on his latest run, although the shorter trip could help.
8. Hot Fuss
Hot Fuss carries a 5lb penalty for winning a good prize at Windsor last month, although consistency isn’t his forte and he was well beaten in an average race at Sandown before that.
9. Bubble Dubi
Stuart Edmunds’ nine-year-old return from a lengthy absence with an impressive victory at Aintree although this is a completely different proposition and a lot more is needed.
10. All In You
Prominent in the betting, All In You won a Class 3 at Sandown with more in hand than the official margin suggests but it remains to be seen if he’s up to this level.
11. Milldam
Jamie Snowden’s representative hasn’t been in great form so far this season but is sliding down the weights and Isabelle Ryder takes another 5lb off.
12. Wreckless Eric
He’s been badly out of form in two runs so far this season and it’s hard to make a compelling case for the six-year-old, whose current rating is 9lb higher than his last winning one.
13. Let It Rain
Dan Skelton’s first string is a thoroughly unexposed hurdler and was a Listed winner in her bumper days. More is needed on the evidence of her third in a Class 4 at Ascot back in December.
14. The Hardest Geezer
This horse won a Taunton maiden back in January 2025 but is winless in five starts since. Whilst not completely out of it, others are definitely preferred.
15. Poet Laureate
Poet Laureate has only had five starts over hurdles so far and a big field handicap like this is a big ask for such an inexperienced horse. He was well beaten at Windsor last time and therefore hard to fancy.
16. Dance And Glance
Anthony Honeyball’s six-year-old has some fair form to his name already but it’s going to be hard enough to reverse the form with All In You and doesn’t make the shortlist.
Verdict
Un Sens A La Vie could be the one to side with and although he failed to fire in graded company earlier on in the season, his two most recent efforts have been much improved. There’s loads to like about his profile and handicaps could facilitate a significant amount of improvement.
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.
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