More Of That Odds-On For Long Distance Hurdle

Jonjo O`Neill`s unbeaten More Of That is the odds-on favourite to capture Newbury`s Long Distance Hurdle on Saturday (29th November). There are currently seven other entries in the ante-post betting hoping to take on the six year old, now best-priced 4/11 with paddy Power.

An appearance in Saturday`s three mile highlight would mark the horse`s first outing of the season, last being seen putting Annie Power to the sword in the ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. More Of That kept on well to defeat the mare by a length-and-a-half with Willie Mullins` favourite also looking to stretch an unbeaten run. Annie Power hadn`t been beaten in her previous ten runs.

The victory will give favourite backers confidence, both the World Hurdle and Saturday`s Long Distance Hurdle being held over three miles. The going on the hurdles course is currently soft-heavy and it is something of a mystery as to how the horse will respond to racing on bottomless ground should it fail to dry out in time for the weekend`s racing. The only similar recent form was a two-and-a-half mile Haydock win on ground officially described as soft.

Connections will also be awaiting news from Tony McCoy who has expressed a desire to ride More Of That in the race, should he be fully recovered from an aggravated rib injury. The 19-time champion jockey will make his return to the track today (Wednesday 26th) with a ride on Neil Mulholland`s Southfield Royale in a two-and-a-half mile race at Fontwell.

Perhaps More Of That`s most fierce rival on Saturday will be Cole Harden for the Warren Greatrex yard. The trainer has been writing in depth about his excitement at being able to saddle his entry and his hopes for Saturday`s run.

`He is in really good form and I can`t wait to get him back on the track again.` Greatrex wrote on his official blog at wgreatrexracing.com. Cole Harden was last seen fending off two of his weekend rivals in winning the bet365 Hurdle at Wetherby at the start of the month. The five year old finished a full eight lengths ahead of Medinas (12/1 - paddy Power) and over 10 in front of odds-on favourite At Fisher`s Cross who brought up the rear of the three-strong field over the three mile distance.

`He has improved since Wetherby and looks fantastic. Let`s hope he can keep on improving.` He concluded.

Cole Harden can be backed at 4/1 (paddy Power).

Trainer Rebecca Curtis will be two-handed at Newbury with the aforementioned At Fisher`s Cross and Peckhamecho, a 14/1 (paddy Power) shot who picked up a win at Aintree last month. The eight year old was previously unexposed at three miles before the trip but kept on despite a blunder at the last to see off Phillip Hobbs` Uncle Jimmy. A clear run this time round could see the horse make even more of an impact over the distance.

At Fisher`s Cross will be hoping to re-find his lifetime best form shown as a five year old to put an end to his year-and-a -half long losing streak. The JP McManus-owned runner scooped the Neptune Investment Management Novices` Hurdle, the Albert Bartlett Novices` Hurdle and the Sefton Novices` Hurdle before his barren run of no victories in seven previous entries. Six to one (paddy power) says he can turn his form around.

Also expected to complete the field on Saturday are progressive Vincent O`Brien County Handicap winner Lac Fontana (12/1 - paddy power), Emma Lavelle`s Shotgun Paddy and Luke Dace`s 50/1 (paddy power) outsider American Spin.

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26/11/2014     © Frixo 2024