The Betfair Hurdle: Three to back for Saturday's mega money handicap

Paul Jacobs
06 February 2015

Is it Harry Potter or Harry Fry?

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Four time Champion Tipster and Timeform Radio presenter Paul Jacobs picks out a trio of intriguingly-priced horses to consider for the Betfair Hurdle...

"What we do know is that Balgarry will be right at the hub of the action early on and indeed I expect him to lead this mammoth field with his slick jumping and enthusiastic galloping style.So get on the back-to-lay bicycle and pedal your way into significant profit before the field close up after the second last."

Next Best - Balgarry - back-to-lay @ 17.016/1 and lay off at 4.03/1, 2.89/5 and 1.84/5

Nap - Activial - @ 8.27/1

Forget about the yogurt with its exclusive probiotic culture, bifidius regularis, and instead concentrate on this four-legged friend trained by Harry Fry.

The trainer who resembles a very tall wizard from the Harry Potter series has always held this horse in high regard and his third in The Ladbroke was a cracking effort first time up.

I thought a 6lbs penalty was a bit naughty from the handicapper, but that was only the five-year-old's fourth timber-topping run and the likely softer ground here is sure to be in his favour.

A jarring mistake two out rather halted his momentum at Ascot, but with a clear passage he looks solid punting material to continue the excellent run of novice hurdlers in this famous event.

So put the curse on the layers and all shout out 'alarte ascendare' or failing that backus to layinonious.

Next Best - Balgarry - back-to-lay @ 17.016/1 and lay off at 4.03/1, 2.89/5 and 1.84/5

He may well be nearly twice the age of Activial, but the David Pipe runner still has plenty of life in his legs having only raced under rules on just the six occasions.

The eight-year-old races with a huge bundle of enthusiasm and is part of a team from a yard that loves to aim at the valuable prize handicap hurdles.

What we do know is that Balgarry will be right at the hub of the action early on and indeed I expect him to lead this mammoth field with his slick jumping and enthusiastic galloping style.

So get on the back-to-lay bicycle and pedal your way into significant profit before the field close up after the second last. Gosh it's easy this game!

Outsider - Swing Bowler - @ 36.035/1, place @ 6.05/1

The number 36 has always been a favourite of mine, it was the house number of our first abode in Liverpool, it is part of 11 and the neighbours on the roulette wheel and it was the age when I had my biggest punting win in the history of PJ Severely Ltd.
This mare may well be slightly fragile but she ran an outstanding race in the 2014 renewal finishing with some aplomb in fourth spot behind Splash of Ginge.

That effort came off a mark of 139 and she now gets to have a gallop off 135. Still lightly raced, I fancy she can beat a large number of the boys and lay claim to a place in the frame which should yield us a tasty profit and ensure that a microwave dinner is avoided this Saturday night.