Paul Nicholls has also entered two other of his Champion Hurdle hopefuls in the race and Rock On Ruby shares second-favouritism at 10/1 with Betfred alongside Nicky Henderson’s novice Darlan.

 

“It will be interesting to see if Paul Nicholls uses the Betfair Hurdle as a prep race for Zarkandar ahead of the Champion Hurdle and he’ll have to go close off a mark of 151 if he is to trouble the likes of Hurricane Fly at Cheltenham in March,” said Betfred spokesman George Primarolo.

 

Ladbroke Hurdle winner Raya Star is next in the market at 14/1 alongside All The Aces, Ciceron and Final Approach.

 

Neptune Equester is the new 13/2 favourite for Saturday’s Betfred Classic Chase at Warwick after sustained support forced the sponsors to cut his odds from 8/1.

 

There has also been good each-way support for Blazing Bailey (10/1 from 12/1) after trainer Alan King hinted that the ten-year-old could well run over the weekend.

 

"Alan King has won the past two renewals of the Betfred Classic Chase so it’s no surprise to see Blazing Bailey come in for some support but it’s been Neptune Equester that has been the best-backed horse in the race so far," said Betfred spokesman George Primarolo.

 

Looking ahead to the Cheltenham Festival, the entries for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup are out and the sponsors have priced up a couple of special forecasts on the race. It’s 12/1 that favourite Long Run beats Kauto Star whilst it’s a 14/1 shot that Kauto Star manages to beat Long Run for the third time this season.

 

There has also been support for Minsk ahead of the JCB Triumph Hurdle and he is now 10/1 (from 12/1) with Betfred.

 

Betfred Classic Chase – sponsors bet: 13/2 (from 8) Neptune Equester, 7 Sona Sasta, Strongbow’s Legend, 9 Major Malarkey, 10 (from 12) Blazing Bailey, Faasel, Hey Big Spender, Leading Contender, Shaking Hands, 12 Bench Warrant, Fortification, Fredo, 14 Hello Bud, Key Cutter, Morning Moment, 16 Miko de Beauchene, 20 On Borrowed Wings.

 

¼ 1-2-3-4

 

Victor Chandler Chase – Betfred bet: 2 Finian’s Rainbow, 11/4 Al Ferof, 11/2 Somersby, 6 Kauto Stone, 7 Gauvain, Wishfull Thinking, 10 Forpadydeplasterer, 25 Imsingingtheblues, Oiseau De Nuit, 33 Dan Breen, I’m So Lucky, 50 King Edmund.

 

1/5 1-2-3

 

Betfair Hurdle – Betfred bet: 8 Zarkandar, 10 Darlan, Rock On Ruby, 12 Olofi, 14 All The Aces, Ciceron, Final Approach, Raya Star, 16 Bobby Ewing, Celestial Halo, Dare Me, Flat Out, Get Me Out Of Here, Recession Proof, Sire de Grugy, Soldatino, Third Intention, 20 Act Of Kalanisi, Alarazi, A Media Luz, Brampour, Citizenship, Double Ross, Drive Time, Empire Levant, Ericht, Rigidity, Sailors Warn, Torphicen, Ubi Ace, Via Galilei, 25 Abergavenny, A Bridge Too Far, Attaglance, Bourne, Dan Breen, Desert Cry, Dunraven Storm, First In The Queue, King In Waiting, Lifestyle, Marsh Warbler, Megastar, Pateese, Pozyc, Rowan Tiger, 33 Tawaagg, Temlett, 40 Orzare, Stormy Weather,

 

¼ 1-2-3-4