Betfair iPhone & Android App Hurdle 2010

1.50 Haydock
Betfair Iphone & Android App Hurdle (Class 2) (4YO only)
Winner £25,048

Pick: Clerk’s Choice (win)

Barizan: Enjoyed tremendous juvenile hurdling season ( 6 wins), nearly pulling off one of great front running performances in Triumph Hurdle and romping home at Punchestown festival; Hasn’t come back as good though, getting thrashed by Clerk’s Choice (reopposes) first time out and was poor in Elite Hurdle last time; Still respected but not in form.

Carlito Brigante: Made major strides last season, winning maiden hurdle, Grade 2 at Leopardstown, and Triumph Hurdle trial before coming fourth behind Carltio Brigante in actual race; Held form well at Punchestown and fit from flat (with that rival out of form), so good chance.

Clerk’s Choice: Has been a complete revelation in winning four out of five over hurdles but nothing even close to how impressive he was at Cheltenham’s showcase meeting, beating Grade 1 winner Barizan and promising Royal Mix by 21 lengths (Barizan 4 further back); Has been put up to rating of 162 and major player at Grade 1 level if that form is literally taken.

Andhaar: Lot to like about progress over hurdles this year, following up a good Wetherby win in the face of a simpler task at Market Rasen last time, jumping far better than on first 2 hurdles runs; Well liked but this is very though.

Bocamix: Ran creditably on more than one occasion in face of stiff task, but lost his way towards the end of that campaign and was well held in a handicap on last start; Needs lot more.

Ultimate: Placed in Grade 2 last year and only 6 lengths behind Carltio Brigante in Triumph Trial; not disgraced on either run this season but seemingly just not going anywhere.

VERDICT: A BHA rating of 162 (only 1lb lower than Binocular achieved when winning the Champion Hurdle last season) has CLERK’S CHOICE competing in the last 10 Champion Hurdles. Whether he’s worth that rating is up to debate but if he wouldn’t need to run to his best to win here and it’ll be interesting to see how he does. Carltio Brigante is fit from the flat and rates the main threat with Barzian out of form this season.