Paul Nicholls with Irish Saint (left) and Irving on Monday morning

PICTURE: Dan Abraham, BY PETER SCARGILL4:31PM 3 FEB 2014 

PAUL NICHOLLS believes he has two well-handicapped horses in Irish Saint and Irving for the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on Saturday but which one of them runs is down to the weather.

Irish Saint and Irving share favouritism at 7-1 for the Betfair Hurdle after recording impressive victories on their most recent outings at Ascot.

 

Irish Saint cantered to an 11-length victory in the Grade 2 Holloway’s Hurdle at Ascot last month for which he was raised 12lb although the five-year-old will only carry a 5lb penalty in the race on Saturday.

Irving also took the eye when making it three wins from as many starts over hurdles in the Grade 2 Kennel Gate Novices’ Hurdle at Ascot in December.

The key however appears to be the ground at Newbury, which was soft, heavy in places on Monday. The more it rains the better for Irish Saint and the less likely Irving will line up according to Nicholls.

“Irish Saint relished the testing ground and hosed in at Ascot,” Nicholls said on Monday. “The handicapper has raised him 12lb but he only has a 5lb penalty, so he’s nicely in and you can see why he’s favourite. He must have a leading chance.

“Irving’s been schooling well and working nicely but I’m concerned about the ground, so we will have to see how it unfolds. We think he is well-handicapped but I’m loathe to run him if it’s very testing. He likes decent ground and I want to look after him.”

Nicholls, who has also left Far West in the race, added that Nick Schofield would ride Irving with Noel Fehily on Irish Saint.

fonte: RacingPost