Persian War Novices’ Hurdle Betting Tips – McFabulous Impossible to Oppose at Chepstow

Nicholls has leading claims of eighth success

The feature race at Chepstow on Friday is the Grade 2 Persian War Novices’ Hurdle over an extended 2m 3f (15:15). Given Paul Nicholls has trained seven previous winners of the race, McFabulous makes obvious appeal.

This six-year-old Milan gelding was a very smart bumper performer in 2018-19, winning three times. McFabulous progressed in that campaign, but his racecourse debut at this venue reads very well.

He stormed clear for an impressive 2 3/4 lengths victory over the useful Ask Dillon. Subsequent Stayers’ Hurdle hero Lisnagar Oscar was beaten a further four lengths in third.

After later winning another bumper at Newbury under a penalty, McFabulous went up into Grade 2 company at Aintree. He only needed driving out to score by a length from Thebannerkingrebel.

The fourth home that day, Dewcup, has done plenty to advertise that form since. He has won three of four subsequent National Hunt starts, all at Punchestown.

That meant McFabulous was an exciting novice hurdle prospect for last season. After performing so well in bumpers, however, he struggled in 2m events and needed a longer trip.

When stepped up to 2m 4f at Market Rasen, he only needed pushing out to resume winning ways by 3 3/4 lengths.

McFabulous built on that when going back up in class and landing a Grade 3 Kempton novice handicap by 6 1/2 easy lengths on his final start of last season.

The third horse home that day, Hurricane Harvey, has since made a successful transition to fences taking the scalp of Emitom at Uttoxeter. That gives the form a solid look.

This is not a vintage renewal of the Persian War Novices’ Hurdle. Despite giving weight all-round, McFabulous is still 2lb and upwards clear of his six rivals, so his claims are obvious.

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Everglow an interesting debutant

According to the betting, One For The Team is the main danger to McFabulous but this trip may be on the sharp side for Nick Williams’ charge.

The same applies to the Ella Pickard trained Getaround who has won over 2m 7f. Regular jockey Bryan Carver cannot use his claim in this race either.

Fergal O’Brien runner Courtandbould has no form on a softer surface, so making a case for those with hurdles experience against is difficult.

Philip Hobbs has won the Persian War Novices’ Hurdle five times before, meanwhile, including last year with Thyme Hill who was unraced over the smaller obstacles. That makes Everglow interesting on hurdles bow.

Although still a maiden, this five-year-old son of Presenting has run well in defeat in two bumper outings. Everglow was held just a neck at this meeting 12 months ago and then finished a four-length third in a Listed contest at Cheltenham.

The winner, Israel Champ, went on to score in that grade again. Time Flies By, the runner-up, meanwhile, finished in front of McFabulous in a Grade 2 at Ascot.

On a form line through that Nicky Henderson trained and JP McManus owned prospect, then, there isn’t much between Everglow and the favourite. That is not reflected in the odds on offer here, however.

Everglow trades at more than 12 times the price of McFabulous at the time of writing. That looks big, provided he takes to hurdling.

Richard Johnson takes the ride once again and has a 20 per cent strike rate in the saddle in the last 14 days. A bold bid by connections is on the cards, and there’s plenty more to come from Everglow.

Legends Ryde overpriced for Persian War Novices’ Hurdle

Bottom weight Legends Ryde represents trainer Jamie Snowden, who saddled Some Day Soon to be third in this 12 months ago.

An eye-catching jockey booking in Jonjo O’Neill Jr for the daughter of Midnight Legend is intriguing. Her bumper form from 2019 is more useful than it first appears too.

Legends Ryde ran a 10-length fifth in a valuable sales race at Newbury on just her second career start. Fugitives Drift, who was third, has since won two of his four subsequent hurdle outings. That advertises the form nicely.

The five-year-old mare then landed a Carlisle bumper unchallenged by six lengths. Legends Ryde then had a crack at Listed level at Cheltenham and chased home Urban Artist, who has won three times on the Flat since.

She was only beaten a couple of lengths by that Hughie Morrison inmate. Legends Ryde found 2m too sharp for her on hurdles bow at Hexham.

Once stepped up in trip to 2m 4f, however, she posted improved efforts. Following wind surgery, only Miss Honey Ryder was too good for Legends Ryde at Huntingdon.

She has since won in Wales at Ffos Las when keeping on well for a three-quarters of a length success. The Persian War Novices’ Hurdle demands more, but any rain which hits Chepstow suits her just fine.

Legends Ryde shouldn’t be the outsider of these on the pick of her form. If there were eight runners, then she would be each-way value.