The Morebattle Hurdle winner three years ago completed a rare double at Cheltenham.
Many think the Morebattle Hurdle is run too close to bear any Cheltenham Festival relevance. Taking place just 10 days before the Festival, it is true that it isn’t the greatest trial for any race, but when digging deeper it has unearthed some horses who have followed up at Prestbury Park.
In 2021, the Shunter won the Morebattle Hurdle before completing an unorthodox double in the Plate 12 days later. The horse in 3rd that day, Faivoir, also finished 3rd in the 2022 renewal, and went two places better in last year’s County Hurdle.
Worth over £100,000 the Morebattle Hurdle has become a premier race in its own right yet it also lays important clues for the 2 mile handicaps in the Spring.
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Morebattle Hurdle Odds
| Name | Best Odds | Worst Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Under Control | 6/1 | 4/1 |
| Black Hawk Eagle | 15/2 | 7/1 |
| L'Eau du Sud | 8/1 | 13/2 |
| Brucio | 8/1 | 8/1 |
| Go Dante | 14/1 | 12/1 |
| Rewired | 14/1 | 14/1 |
Morebattle Hurdle Date & Start Time
This year’s Morebattle Hurdle is due to be run on Saturday 2nd March at Kelso racecourse at 3.00pm. The race is set to be broadcasted on ITV.
Morebattle Hurdle Entries
Last year’s winner Benson holds an entry in a bid to defend his crown. He is only rated 5lb higher than last year’s success, the form of which has worked out well too. 2nd place Colonel Mustard finished 2nd in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr before finishing 3rd in a Grade 1 at Punchestown behind State Man. Benson is a best priced 14/1 on Sky Bet to make it consecutive wins in the race.
Kerry Lee’s Black Hawk Eagle (15/2 on bet365) is bidding to complete his hat-trick with his toughest assignment yet. After wins at Wincanton and Hereford, the son of Awtaad steps up again in class on Saturday. Kerry Lee was successful on this card last year as Nemean Lion won the Premier Novice Hurdle at Kelso and she will be hoping that another trip up North pays dividends.
Another contender in the market is Brucio for Stuart Crawford. The daughter of Authorized is also looking to bring up a hat-trick, most recently winning a Listed Mares Handicap Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival by six lengths.
Dan Skelton has helped fill the frame in this race recently with Faivoir twice finishing in the three before L’Eau Du Sud filled out 3rd place last year. He may opt to send Knickerbockerglory to the race this year who is rated 135, 4lb below last year’s winner Benson. The son of Fame and Glory was last seen finishing a very creditable 6th in the Betfair Hurdle and has been dropped 2lb as a result.
Morebattle Hurdle Tips
Firms are currently offering four places at a quarter of the odds and, as such, I am going to side with last year’s winner Benson. As mentioned, the form of last year’s win has worked out particularly well with Colonel Mustard performing so creditably.
However, the 3rd placed L’Eau Du Sud has also boosted the form having most recently finished 2nd in the Betfair Hurdle behind Iberico Lord. Even the 6th placed Teddy Blue went on to win the Sussex Champion Hurdle before finishing 2nd in the Swinton.
Sandy Thomson is operating at a 29% strike rate this season and I was very taken with Benson’s running on 4th in the Scottish County Hurdle at Musselburgh last time out. The Morebattle was already laid out as a target in January, and that run has seemed to put him right for this race.
