Bet In-Play On Racing With BetVictor Novices’ Handicap Hurdle – Newbury – Saturday 23rd March

Lincoln weekend is fast upon us, but it will certainly take me a while to get up to speed with all the variables that present themselves at the beginning of a season, so forgive me for looking towards the jumps cards this weekend instead.

The reason being is that there is a decent ante-post wager to be had in the Bet In-Play On Racing With BetVictor Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at Newbury at 2.10 on Saturday – a race that has 25 entries at the 5-day stage, but might whittle down to not many more than 10 or 12, given various multiple entries.

One horse who does hold a multiple entry is Spirits Bay, as he is also entered in the 2m novice hurdle 30 minutes earlier, but the 2m3f trip for the handicap will be much more suitable, and regular pilot Jordan Nailor is jocked up for that race too, so I’m going to read the signs a little and hope that this isn’t a red herring.

Available at 10/1 each-way with Bet365 or Unibet for 4 places, Spirits Bay is available at a price/place term combination that I believe is beneficial. 11/1 is available in a couple of spots with some of the less mainstream companies, and so if you can get on there, then clearly that will be better.

Current ante-post market leader for the race in question, Steel Ally, will likely run a day earlier as he was declared on Friday’s card this morning. So, with this and the likely final field, being declared at 10am tomorrow, perhaps being whittled down somewhat, taking advantage of a price right now I think is the wiser option. It may be that similar options are still available after declarations, but I wouldn’t be sure.

The case for the horse is fairly clear, as he is a sharply progressive young hurdler, who will improve markedly for the step up in trip. Ever since Spirits Bay ran an eye-catching race on hurdle debut at Sandown Park, has he been on my radar as one to try and catch at the right price in the right race.

Now seems the perfect time, as Spirit Bay’s handicap debut win at Exeter two weeks ago was mightily impressive, comfortably beating the consistent and decent Donnacha, who has fared well in much higher grades.

The likes of Into The Park, Kruger Park and Home Free have similarly improving and appealing profiles, but none as yet have the strength of form that Spirits Bay can boast. So, at 10/1 each-way with Bet365 or Unibet for 4 places, he rates as an excellent 2-star ** ante-post weekend selection for WhichBookie.