Saturday’s Tolworth Hurdle betting preview: Latest runners, riders, odds and trainer quotes for the final field
Don't miss the latest trainer quotes ahead of the Grade 1 contest at Sandown on Saturday
A SMALL but select field of six head to post for the Tolworth Hurdle this Saturday.
It's an intriguing contest with Nicky Henderson's unexposed Rathhill heading the market.
1. Elixir Du Nutz - Tom O'Brien/Colin Tizzard (9-4)
Clearly a very useful five-year-old after his latest two wins with the form of his last start franked following Jarvey's Plate's impressive Listed win on New Year's Day.
Looks a different horse since switching to Tizzard and there should be plenty more to come.
This is his toughest task to date though and must prove he is a genuine Grade 1 horse.
Colin Tizzard on Elixir De Nutz
"Two miles is his trip, and you can go as fast as you want with him over that trip. We've made the running over two miles so far, and it is working quite well at the moment.
";This is a step up on what he has done, but he has done nothing wrong and he is a lovely horse.
"His form has also been franked, and he deserves a crack at a Grade 1."
2. Grand Sancy - Sam Twiston-Davies/Paul Nicholls (8-1)
More experienced than some of his rivals and might put that to good use, on the flip side he is beginning to look exposed.
Started the season in fine form and landed a Listed contest at Haydock on his penultimate start.
Fourth behind Mohaayed in top handicap at Ascot and might find one or two too good today.
3. Idee De Garde - Harry Skelton/Dan Skelton (16-1)
Thrown in at the deep end after just one run over hurdles where he finished second to a potentially useful Henderson horse.
Won his only bumper start and clearly has an engine but this is a tough ask at this stage of his career.
Harry Skelton on Idee De Garde
"We don't want to lose our maiden tag cheaply at this time of year, so we'll put him in deep waters and run him in the Tolworth.
"If he wins then it's not a problem. He's a nice horse with a future."
4. Mercy Mercy Me - Paddy Breannan/Fergal O'Brien (20-1)
Outsider of the field, Fergal O'Brien's seven-year-old is yet to shed his maiden tag over hurdles.
Has been pitched into some tough contests but this is just as hard - if not harder - than those and likely to struggle against the leading contenders.
5. Rathhill - Barry Geraghty/Nicky Henderson (6-5)
Could be anything after his Maiden Hurdle win and is set to take his chance at the highest level on just his second start.
Did it in some style at Newbury and looks to be a potential star.
Will likely take all the beating and the punters are latching onto him already.
Nicky Henderson on Rathhill
"He is a very burly horse, has plenty of gears - and two miles will do him for now.
"We decided to run him a week earlier at Newbury, because we wanted to give Rathhill extra time before the Tolworth."
6. Southfield Stone - Harry Cobden/Paul Nicholls (6-1)
Looks the Nicholls first-string with Harry Cobden seemingly opting to ride him instead of Grand Sancy.
Has notched up a Taunton hat-trick over hurdles this season and now faces his toughest test.
A big ask, but Nicholls and Cobden have been firing in the winners lately and he shouldn't be underestimated.