Templegate’s pinstickers’ guide to the runners and riders for the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury racecourse this Saturday, February 10

HIGH BRIDGE 3/5

HIGH chance. Unbeaten in three visits to Newbury. Had run of the race in front when successful here in December and won’t get that today.

JENKINS 4/5

JOY Jenkins. Got his act together in blinkers on his last two starts. Still well weighted and he could easily make his class tell.

5

BLEU ET ROUGE 3/5

ROUGE alert. Grade 1 winner a couple of years ago. Had a spell chasing and his Ascot fourth showed he really needs further.

VERDANA BLUE 3/5

GOT the Blues. Champion Hurdle entry shows ambition. God Ascot third gives her claims but the sticky ground is a big worry.

CHARLI PARCS 2/5

PROPER Charli. Arrived from France with a  big reputation but has been more miss than hit since debut success. Plenty to prove.

DIVIN BERE 3/5

GRIZZLT Bere. Smart juvenile last season but well beaten on Ascot return. Too early to be writing off but last year’s four-year-olds don’t look great.

REMILUC 2/5

NO Luc. Caused a shock on heavy ground at Cheltenham last month. Has other form that gives him a chance but needs to produce another surprise.

MOON RACER 4/5

MOON could star. Had his problems but no doubting his class. Went off just 10-1 for last year’s Champion Hurdle and he has a decent record when fresh.

5

MISTERTON 4/5

MIS could be a hit. Improved throughout last year and his neck second in the Greatwood is good form. Off since but fitness is not a worry.

KALASHNIKOV 5/5

GUNNING for glory. Novices have a great record in this race and he’s a good ‘un. Tasted defeat for the first time when runner-up in the Tolworth and the demands of this race should suit him.

PROJECT BLUEBOOK 1/5

SHELVE Book. Decent four-year-old last season but that generation don’t look good. Well beaten in the Greatwood and rightly one of the outsiders.

5

KAYF GRACE 4/5

FAVOUR Grace. Dual bumper winner who is two from three over hurdles. Tends to pull hard so this kind of race should be right up her street.

SPIRITOFTHEGAMES 3/5

HAS the Spirit. Won twice last year and put in a personal best when runner-up in the Lanzarote. No doubt useful but the drop in trip is not ideal.

LOUGH DERG SPIRIT 3/5

NO laughs with Lough. Pulled up when tried on a left-handed track at Aintree. Returned with a solid effort in November but off since.

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POPPY KAY 3/5

KAY could pay. Smart mare with a good strike-rate. Won over just shy of 2m4f last time but that stamina will come in handy.

LALOR 4/5

COULD lay down the Lor. Top bumper horse last season. Yet to strike over hurdles but his Cheltenham second is decent. Makes his handicap debut in race that should play to his strengths.

KNOCKNANUSS 4/5

OPPORTUNITY Knocks. Trainer Gary Moore has won this prize three times. This one bolted up on his handicap debut and is dangerously unexposed.

WATERLORD 3/5

SPARKLING Water. Dual winner in December on heavy ground and paid for putting it up to smart novice at Haydock last time. Definite each-way claims.

5

WILLIAM H BONNEY 2/5

GONE west. Moves like a good horse but his finishing effort is sometimes lacking. Held in two starts this season and similar expected today.

IRISH ROE 3/5

ROE dear. Prolific winner with a good attitude. Couldn’t get past smart sort in mares’ race last time and faces her acid test today.

SILVER STREAK 3/5

NO gold for Silver. Looked good on decent ground and cracking Ascot effort on softer. The sticky ground is his main worry.

NIETZSCHE 2/5

NOT Niet. Decent juvenile last season but that was not a strong generation. Well held this season and falls short of what’s required.

COEUR BLIMEY 2/5

COOL on Coeur. Has the ability to take a hand but continues to be held back by jumping mistakes. Needs the cheekpieces to work the oracle.

ZALVADOS 1/5

ZAL’s no pal. Finally off the mark over hurdles in ordinary maiden hurdle. Sure to find this much tougher.