A quality renewal of the Dragonbet Persian War Novices’ Hurdle is due to take place this Friday on the opening day of the Dragonbet Welsh Racing Festival
The Grade Two contest, worth £80,000, has been won by legends of the National Hunt scene in previous years such as dual King George VI Chase winner Silviniaco Conti.
The David Maxwell-owned Queensbury Boy won a bumper at this track in 2023, and has since won two of his three hurdle starts. He is an exciting type for trainer Harry Derham this season and this looks an ideal starting point.
Recent Newton Abbot winner Jack Hyde also holds plenty of prior hurdling experience being a three-time hurdles winner himself. This is a marked rise in grade for him on his latest effort but he fared respectably in a warm Aintree handicap on his penultimate start.
This represents Sticktotheplan’s first run for his new trainer Olly Murphy after he arrived from Ireland where he won two hurdle races. Krak is also having his first start for Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies and is respected for his powerful connections.
Dan Skelton’s Moneygarrow looked a smart type in bumpers last season and makes his hurdles debut, while Kainsbourg will look to become the first Irish-trained winner in the history of this race for Gordon Elliott.
The lightly-raced Kilwaughter and five-timer seeking Laravie complete the field.
Latest Dragonbet Persian War Novices’ Hurdle betting: Queensbury Boy 13/8f, Sticktotheplan 7/2, Moneygarrow 4/1, Jack Hyde 11/2, BAR 9/1
The Dragonbet Veteran’s Handicap Chase has attracted a field of nine runners. The Mickey Bowen-trained Courtland has been consistent without winning during the summer and is 8lbs below his last winning mark.
Dan Skelton’s Le Milos is a previous winner of the Coral Gold Cup, and was a comfortable winner at Fakenham when last seen in May. Lord Accord is an infrequent winner but was runner-up in the Badger Beer Handicap Chase so does have the back class to win a race of this nature.
Gordon Elliott is set to support this three-day meeting with plenty of runners and the booking of Sean Bowen aboard his Tullybeg catches the eye.
The eight-race card and opening day of the DragonBet Welsh Racing Festival kicks off at 1.22pm. The action concludes at 5.30pm. The ground is currently Good to Soft.
