Andy Holding previews the weekend’s biggest National Hunt races starting with the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown, where the ante-post favourite is a late withdrawal.
Authorised Speed assumes favouritism for the Tolworth Hurdle
On Saturday Sandown stages the Tolworth Novices' Hurdle, a race with a rich role of honour in recent times including last year’s winner Constitution Hill (hot favourite for the Champion Hurdle in March).
Once again, Gary Moore appears to have a decent bunch of novice hurdlers at his disposal and Authorised Speed is arguably top of the pile.
Hard to fault on his two victories so far over hurdles, he has solid Sandown form under his belt and with conditions likely to be fairly testing come the weekend, he has an obvious opportunity to shine – particularly now that ante-post favourite Luccia has been withdrawn from the race.
Blessed with speed and stamina in equal measures, the Supreme Novices' Hurdle would seem the obvious Cheltenham target for Authorised Speed at this stage. He is currently best priced 25/1 (worst price 20/1) for the Festival opener, a price which would likely shorten if he was to win at Sandown.
However, the quality of the race has been hit by the news around Luccia (Mares Novice Hurdle ante-post favourite for Cheltenham), who had been a worthy favourite for the race after impressing hugely on her hurdling debut at Newbury back in November.
Her speed figure complemented the visually aspect of her performance and she thoroughly deserved her place in a race of this nature against the boys.
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Lawlor's of Naas takes centre stage in Ireland
Over in Ireland on Sunday, the Lawlor’s Of Naas Novices' Hurdle will provide us more clues in the 2m4f division, with the likes of Grangeclare West, Gaelic Warrior, lnowthewayurthinkin, Irish Point and Three Card Brag all entered up at the Co Kildare venue.
Of the quintet, Gaelic Warrior is the shortest in the betting for the Ballymore at Cheltenham, so it seems a little strange that he is chalked up as the second favourite at 9/4 behind stablemate Grangeclare West at 5/4.
Equally interesting is the fact Inothewayurthinkin looks like being the number one representative for JP McManus now Inthepocket doesn't make the line-up and given that he could be open to any amount of improvement, it all adds extra spice to what should turn out to be an informative affair.
