Tony Calvin: My antepost runner-by-runner guide to the Betfair Hurdle

Renneti - 16/1

Very talented, as his mark underlines, but has a mind of his own. Is occasionally reluctant to start, and has refused to race in the past, and he was allowed a running start at Navan last time - I doubt he would have got away with that over here - when also tried in first-time blinkers. You can argue his second to Jezki there was a career-best effort (he traded 1.392/5 in the run, as well) and he certainly has the ability to figure here, and he has plenty of big-field handicap form. Has made the running on the Flat before. Wouldn't be a surprise if some were willing to take a shorter price about him in-running if and when he jumps off OK, rather than risk backing him pre-race.

Hargam - 20/1

Was rated 11lb higher than this after his Christmas Hurdle third to Faugheen last season but his last two efforts in big-field handicaps have not been encouraging, with the only upside being a 7lb ease in the weights. Finished third in the 2015 Triumph Hurdle but his best efforts since have come in smaller fields.

Clyne - 7/1

Very progressive horse. "Beat" subsequent winner Le Rocher in the infamous fog-bound Haydock race and then finished a length second to The New One in the Haydock Champion Hurdle Trial, form on which he clearly looks well-weighted (he is 5lb well-in). You can pick holes in that form but his earlier winning efforts stand up to close inspection and he is rightfully towards the top of the market. He probably deserves to be clear favourite.

Boite - 40/1

Disappointed me when only fifth at Newbury last time as I thought the step up to 2m4f would suit over hurdles, given his staying profile on the Flat. Perhaps he simply needs a strongly-run 2m - though there isn't a lot of pace in here at all - and he was earlier very impressive when winning at Wetherby. Is 7lb higher here but one of the more attractive outsiders at 40/1 and bigger.

Zubayr - 12/1

Went off 11/2 for the Triumph after winning the Adonis Hurdle on his hurdling debut at Kempton. Didn't shine there but has since done well, although he was below-par behind Brain Power at Sandown in December. Has been dropped 3lb since but I'd be looking for more than 12/1 and 14/1 before getting with him.

Consul De Thaix - 5/1

Has had the misfortune to bump into his Champion Hurdle-bound stablemate Brain Power at Sandown and Ascot, and has gone up 8lb as a result, too. Having just his sixth start over hurdles, and has an attractive profile and obvious chance.

De Name Escapes Me - 16/1

Has to race off a 5lb higher mark than in Ireland and does so after a lengthy absence since finishing in midfield at Punchestown last April. His trainer thinks he has "plenty of boot" for two miles - his last win was over 2m4f - and is an interesting contender given his connections and lightly-raced profile. But it's a bit of a guess-up if you are backing him.

Wait For Me - 14/1

Fourth off 1lb higher mark in the County Hurdle last March, and was well-backed when fifth to William H Bonney at Cheltenham two weekends ago. Wasn't beaten far there and is a course-and-distance winner but needs to step on recent efforts to be winning this.

William H Bonney - 9/1

Probably had more in the tank if required when winning at Cheltenham last time - he travelled well throughout the race - but will need to have had as he carries a 5lb penalty here and the handicapper only upped him 4lb, so he is 1lb wrong at the weights. He doesn't really excite me at a single-figure price, but the potential for a further improvement is obviously there.

Kayf Blanco - 33/1

Third to Brain Power and Consul De Thaix at Sandown in December and 1lb lower here but nowhere near that level of form when fourth over an extended 2m2f at Exeter on New Year's Day. Perhaps he is simply more effective at 2m - his record gives that stance some credence - and I wouldn't be in a rush to lay him as big as 50/1.

Ballyhill - 33/1

His recent novice form doesn't given him an obvious chance - and not much of an outside one either, to be truthful - but I wouldn't be surprised if connections tried forcing tactics here, given that he has guaranteed stamina and doesn't look to possess much in the way of tactical speed. Indeed, there doesn't look to be a guaranteed front-runner in the race, so any initiative could be rewarded. Ran in the Grade 2 Warwick race last time that his stablemate Splash Of Ginge did before winning this race in 2014, and I can see him outrunning his odds with the Sportsbook (not a bad each-way shot at 33/1) and at 40.039/1-plus win-only on the Exchange.

Movewiththetimes - 5/1

Three from four and ran his best race in defeat when not beaten far behind Moon Racer at Cheltenham in November. Won as he was entitled to at Wincanton last time, but makes very little appeal at his price of 5/1, for all his "sexy", unexposed profile.

Ballyandy - 13/2

Last season's Cheltenham bumper winner had been a bit underwhelming over hurdles before just being touched off by subsequent Challow Hurdle winner Messire Des Obeaux at Sandown last month. He won a bumper here and a mark of 135 could seriously underplay his raw talent, so no surprise to see him among the market leaders.

Beltor - 16/1

Smart juvenile who had injury problems after running in the 2015 Fighting Fifth but landed a punt in a 2m Flat handicap at Kempton in December and looked as though he was going to dot up at that course over hurdles over Christmas - he traded at a low of 1.251/4 - before making a mistake at the last and being reeled in. Is 2lb higher here but a definite player at 16/1.

Kapstadt - 50/1

One of the more harder horses to fancy after recent efforts, and could need better ground too, for all he put up his best effort on the Flat on soft ground.

Song Light - 12/1

I put him up in this column at 50/1 in the Greatwood and I was getting excited as he tanked through the race - he traded at 1.548/15 in the run - only for him to not meet the last on the right stride and finish a length third. A 3lb rise is fair and he is an each-way contender; has plenty of big-field handicap form.

Gassin Golf - 33/1

Course and distance winner and has run two decent races since coming back from a lengthy absence. But it takes a leap of faith to side with him here, though his trainer is in decent nick this month.

Veinard - 20/1

The UK handicapper has given him an extra 3lb to carry here, so his task is all the harder. But he has been running very well in Ireland and shaped well when not beaten far in a valuable handicap at Leopardstown last month.

Eddiemaurice - 25/1

Went up 1lb for finishing fifth behind Bigmartre at Kempton last time and it is hard to enthuse about his chances here.

Krugermac - 16/1

I bet connections were delighted to be guaranteed a run with this 119-rated horse, even if he is currently 6lb out of the handicap. Would be one of the stable's more costly purchases at 185k and he looked a good prospect when winning at Ascot last season. But has disappointed on both starts since, including on his return, and has plenty to prove in this company.

*Odds taken from Betfair Sportsbook, correct at time of publication