Horseracing Betting Briefing: Champion Hurdle pointers at Sandown and Ffos Las

Weekly Betfair Briefing
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Timeform /
30 January 2011 /
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Peddlers Cross: Has the option of Sandown or Ffos Las on Saturday

“Peddlers Cross is a potential opponent for Binocular at Sandown, but if Donald McCain’s unbeaten hurdler doesn’t go there then there may still be an opportunity to see him on Saturday at Ffos Las, which stages the Welsh Champion Hurdle”

Timeform look ahead to next week’s racing, which features a couple of potentially informative Champion Hurdle trials…

Sunday January 30

Sunday’s meetings in Britain take place over jumps at Fakenham and Hereford (has to pass an inpsection) and on the polytrack at Kempton. The day’s best action is over at Punchestown, however, where Champion Chaser Big Zeb is the star attraction in the Grade 2 Tied Cottage Chase.

Monday January 31

Ayr and Ludlow are the venues for Monday’s jumping, while it’s Wolverhampton for all-weather punters.

Tuesday February 1

February kicks off with three meetings in Britain – over jumps at Folkestone and Taunton and on the fibresand at Southwell.

Wednesday February 2

There are a total of four meetings scheduled in Britain on Wednesday – two apiece over jumps (Leicester, Newcastle) and on the all-weather (Lingfield, Kempton). The action also resumes in Ireland with a six-race card at Down Royal.

Thursday February 3

Thursday’s NH action takes place at Towcester and Wincanton in Britain and Clonmel in Ireland, while there are also all-weather cards at Southwell and Wolverhampton.

Friday February 4

It’s one jumps card in Britain (Catterick) and two in Wales (Bangor, Chepstow) on Friday, to go with fixtures on the all-weather at Lingfield in the afternoon and Wolverhampton in the evening.

Saturday February 5

The best of three NH fixtures on Saturday is the one at Sandown, one of the highlights of which is the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase over two and a half miles. The race hasn’t proved the most solid guide to future stars in recent seasons, though last year’s winner Punchestowns did go off favourite for the RSA Chase on his next start.

Though only a listed event, the best race on the card at Sandown is very likely to be the two-mile Contenders Hurdle in which Champion Hurdler Binocular is set to have his final outing before Cheltenham. Peddlers Cross is a potential opponent for Binocular at Sandown, but if Donald McCain’s unbeaten hurdler doesn’t go there then there may still be an opportunity to see him on Saturday at Ffos Las, which stages the Welsh Champion Hurdle. Oscar Whisky, also prominent in the Champion Hurdle market, is set to run at Ffos Las as he seeks to confirm the striking impression of his win at Cheltenham last time.

The day’s other jumps card is at Wetherby, where the feature is the Grade 2 Towton Novices’ Chase, while the all-weather action rolls on at Lingfield.