The 2019 Leamington Novices’ Hurdle betting tips given by Horsebetting.com experts say the exciting Birchdale is worth a bet to provide trainer Nicky Henderson with back-to-back successes in the Grade 2 contest over 2m 5f at Warwick on Saturday, 12 January. Tidal Flow is unbeaten in two starts over the obstacles and the highest rated the the line-up, so is feared most. Stoney Mountain, meanwhile, is another likeable and progressive sort who also holds claims and appeals each-way. Read our in-depth 2019 Leamington Novices’ Hurdle betting tips preview below for more details on these horses’ chances.Birchdale a worthy favourite to land Leamington spoils Birchdale created a huge impression when making a winning debut under rules, so looks a worthy favourite to take the step up into Grade 2 company in his stride and maintain his unbeaten record in the 2m 5f Leamington Novices’ Hurdle at Warwick on Saturday (14:25). This gelding was purchased by owner JP McManus after winning his sole start in an Irish point and joined champion trainer Nicky Henderson.
He was sent off the 9/4 favourite to make a winning debut for the seven Barrows handler in a 17-runner maiden hurdle over this course and distance last month, and his supporters never had an anxious moment. After racing in mid-division the son of Jeremey made stealthy headway to take up the running two from home under a confident Barry Geraghty.
Birchdale then showed signs of inexperience when edging left approaching the last before quickening up smartly on the run-in to readily beat stable companion Calrendon Street by four lengths. The runner up has won since, as has the third home Johnbb, so that gives the form a solid look.
Ballymore contender
The manner of the victory was visually very taking, and one which suggested Birchdale had a big future and needed keeping firmly onside. He is currently a top-price 25/1 for the Ballymore at the Cheltenham Festival in two months’ time on the back of it, and his handler has made no secret of the high regard in which he is held.
This obviously demands more, but Birchdale is a big scopey sort open to any amount of improvement and clearly has a huge engine. The fact he has won at the venue is another plus and Henderson knows what is required to win the race having saddled Mr Whipped to land the spoils 12 months ago.
If Birchdale is to live up to his lofty reputation and develop into a leading contender for the Ballymore, then he needs to be winning this. We fully expect him to do just that, so he had to the the main selection in our 2019 Leamington Novices’ Hurdle betting tips to land the spoils en route to better things.Top rated Tidal Flow a big dangerIn what is a hot renewal, Tidal Flow is feared most. This Philip Hobbs trained six-year-old was a bumper winner who has landed both his starts this season since being sent hurdling. He is officially the top rated in the line-up off a mark of 139, 3lb higher than nearest rival Rockpoint from whom he receives 5lb.
This son of Black Sam Bellamy looked a smart prospect when overcoming greenness to score by two lengths at Kempton in November. That view was confirmed when he showed a good attitude to follow-up in a 13-runner affair at Newbury.
Tidal Flow raced at the head of affairs throughout in the latter, but looked in trouble when getting headed three from home. However, he then responded well to the urgings of Richard Johnson to take up the running again at the second last, before being driven out on the run-in to beat the highly-touted Downtown Getaway by 1 3/4 lengths.
The front two pulled eight lengths clear of the third and had the rest string out like washing, so that gives the form of the race a decent look. Tidal Flow also looked far from the finished article and is clearly progressing with each outing.
So, with further improvement assured, underfoot conditions holding no faers, and a perfect two from two record over the trip, there is lots to like about the chances of Tidal Flow. According to our 2019 Leamington Novices’ Hurdle betting tips, he looks the one most likely to serve it up to Birchdale.Stoney Mountain has an each-way shoutGiven that the aforementioned Rockpoint has to give 5lb all-round, Stoney Mountain makes more appeal from an each-way betting perspective. This Henry Daly trained six-year-old was a dual bumper victor who made a very pleasing winning debut over the obstacles back in October when beating the smart Aye Aye Charlie by a neck at Aintree.
The gelding then went down all guns blazing when a battling neck second to Doux Pretender in a decent seven-runner contest at Ascot, before resuming winning ways at Southwell last month where he took up the running two from home and cruised to a facile 11-length success.
Although Stoney Mountain was entitled to win as he did that day, there was plenty to like about the way in which he got the job done and he is clearly going the right way and has bags of potential. His handler also doesn’t go tilting at windmills with his inmates, so the fact that he had decided to let Stoney Mountain take his chance in this very competitive Grade 2 speaks volumes.
This son of Mountain High also has proven winning form on the ground and a really likeable attitude. It would be folly to underestimate the chances of Stoney Mountain in this and it would be no surprise to see him outrun his odds and give the main two in the betting plenty to think about. That’s why he features as the each-way punt and thus completes these 2019 Leamington Novices’ Hurdle betting tips.Your Next Bet
