Buveur D’Air makes a long-awaited return in lucrative Kelso handicap
There's a strong day's racing scheduled for Kelso this Saturday with the feature race the bet365 Morebattle Handicap Hurdle. There are twelve confirmed runners for the Grade 2 handicap including two-time Champion Hurdle winner, Buveur D'Air. Run over 2m2f, this year's Morebattle Hurdle offers a staggering £100,000 in prize money. Here at betting.bet we'll preview the much-anticipated race, bringing odds courtesy of our betting partners and race sponsors, bet365.
Metier was installed as the race favourite with bookmakers when the markets opened. The Harry Fry-trained six-year-old is a previous Grade 1 winner who has recently got his career back on track when winning the Sovereign Handicap Hurdle at Lingfield last time out. Metier loves the mud so his odds could tumble further if we see some rain over the next 48 hours.
The star attraction comes next in the market as dual Champion Hurdle winner, Buveur D'Air makes his long awaited return. The popular eleven-year-old who is making his first appearance of the season was last seen in the Aintree Hurdle last April. Far from disgraced when fourth in that Group 1 but he's conceding a lot of weight to his rivals on his handicap debut. Buveur D'Air has been lightly raced in recent years but he could be best watched on his return.
Autumn Evening has an excellent chance for in-form trainer, Jessica Harrington. The five-year-old followed up success at Fairyhouse with an excellent third in a 27-strong field at the Dublin Racing Festival. Despite the step-up in trip, Autumn Evening is our pick at 6/1.
Cormier got the better of Severance last time out at Cheltenham in January and has to be respected. He also has a considerable weight advantage over all the big players here.
Saint D'Oroux is interesting at 9/1 and worth a market check. Returned last month from a 278 day break and won well on his first run for new trainer, Stuart Crawford.
Bet365 Morebattle Handicap Hurdle Odds
- Metier: 7/2
- Buveur D'Air: 4/1
- Autumn Evening: 6/1
- Cormier: 13/2
- Faivoir: 8/1
- Saint D'Oroux: 9/1
- Severance: 10/1
- Alqamar: 12/1
- Balko Saint: 16/1
- Some Reign: 18/1
- Voix Du Reve: 20/1
- Thereisnodoubt: 33/1
Sign up to bet365
Sign up to bet365 today to bet on the Bet365 Morebattle Handicap Hurdle!