Fourty-Four Remain In Contention For The William Hill Hurdle

Fourty-four remain in contention for Britain’s most valuable handicap hurdle, The William Hill Hurdle, taking place on William Hill Super Saturday on February 8. With a total prize fund of £155,000, the competitive handicap has seen fourty-four left in the race following the latest acceptance stage on Tuesday 23rd, compared to 31 at this stage in 2024.

The leading trainer in the race with six previous winners, Nicky Henderson seeks a seventh victory in this year’s renewal of the Wiliam Hill Hurdle. Henderson has four entered in the race, including last year’s winner Iberico Lord. The seven-year-old by Cokoriko is one of three J.P.McManus owned entries for Henderson along with Impose Toi and Joyeuse. Henderson’s quartet of entries is completed by current 20/1 chance with sponsors Wiliam Hill, Bo Zenith.

Two Irish trained runners remain in contention including the Gordon Elliott trained Kala Conti, the Robcour owned five-year-old has only once placed outside the top two in eight career starts. The other Irish raider, Brave Troop trained by Charles Byrne, is current 8-1 joint-favourite having won his last two career starts since moving yards.

The winner of the Fitzdares Sovereign Handicap Hurdle on day one of The Berkshire Winter Million, Secret Squirrel, heads the betting with Brave Troop having shortened from 10/1 into 8/1. Hughie Morrison’s fan favourite is set to carry just 10st4 in the William Hill Hurdle.

The highest rated in the field, Burdett Road (J.Owen), last seen finishing third in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle behind Constitution Hill, is currently a 20/1 chance with sponsors William Hill.

Other notable entries still in contention include Jeremy Scott’s Cheltenham Festival heroine, Golden Ace, a current 10/1 chance. The winner of the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle, Fiercely Proud, is the sole representative from the Ben Pauling yard whereas Harry Derham still has eight remaining in the race including Ascending Lark, Balhambar, Brentford Hope, Court In The Act, Givemefive, Just Ennemi, Queens Gamble and Washington.

Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “We’re very excited that the William Hill Hurdle is around the corner and it’s interesting to see who has stood their ground at the latest entry stage. Burdett Road tops the weights and is a 20/1 chance, with a couple of notable horses having been backed in recent days.

“Last weekend’s Winter Millions winner Secret Squirrel has been popular since that victory, backed into joint-favouritism at 8/1 from 10/1 alongside Brave Troop. Hughie Morrison’s flaxen-haired contender is gaining quite the following, so don’t be surprised if the support continues for him. We’re also keeping an eye on Jeremy Scott’s Golden Ace, who has also been backed into 10/1 from 12s.”