Betfair Official Blog

National winner bids for Stow glory

Jos Cigar bids for victory in Walthamstow Hurdle final due off at 16:18 today.

The Grand National winner, who has put the fledgling Steve Willey on the training map, will be among the market leaders for the final of the £1000 to the winner Ladbrokes Hurdle (16:18) on Monday afternoon's BAGS service.

The son of Larkhill Jo has certainly been busy in recent days and after landing his heat in convincing fashion, he was quickly turned out at Perry Barr to compete in the first division of the Betfair Mobile Hurdle.

Things did not pan out as anticipated on Thursday evening but the April 2005 whelp has historically taken his racing well and should not be discounted in today's final.

Jason Foster will be attempting to continue his family's rich association with hurdlers and he is represented by Kildare Lark (T1) and Tommy Bahama (T2). The former posted the fastest time of the heats in 29.35 seconds.

Seamus Cahill is represented by prolific Wimbledon winner, Snazzy Time (T4) but he would need to reverse recent form with Strong Flow (T3).

Gary Baggs' veteran has invariably had to play second fiddle to a number of the leading hurdlers during his tenure at Chingford Road but he is always dangerous when securing first run on the rails. The white jacket is not ideal but he has shown few signs of stopping at the age of five.

Xamax Mr Grumpy (T5) appears likely to be the outsider of the sextet but a triumph for the Crayford raider would be highly emotional given the recent death of John Davidson. The former trainer's daughter, Gemma, has taken over a temporary licence and connections will be hoping that the Produce Stakes finalist can maintain his form at this level.