William Hill Hurdle 2025 Newbury

The two-mile William Hill Hurdle forms the centrepiece of a top-class card which also features the Grade 2 William Hill Denman Chase and Grade 2 William Hill Game Spirit Chase.

A total of 18 runners have been confirmed for Europe’s richest handicap hurdle, worth a total prize fund of £155,000, on William Hill Super Saturday – February 8th 2025.

You can check out all our latest horse racing betting at Newbury on our website.

Here is your runner-by-runner guide to the William Hill Hurdle:

Lump Sum (Sam Thomas)

A respectable second in the Fighting Fifth and understandably outclassed behind Constitution Hill at Kempton. This is more within his range.

Iberico Lord (Nickey Henderson)

Won this race last year but has had an indifferent start to his chasing career. His return to hurdling last time was not promising.

Favour And Fortune (Alan King)

Ran like he needed the run on his seasonal return in the Ladbrokes Hurdle, and was looked after in the closing stages of that contest. Expect a different horse on Saturday.

Minella Missile (Evan Williams)

Neat winner of a Grade 2 Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last term but was all at sea in a 3m handicap this season. Drops to 2m for the first time.

Fiercely Proud (Ben Pauling)

Took the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle in determined fashion just before Christmas and will be looking to double up in yet another big Saturday feature.

Our Champ (Chris Gordon)

Finished 27 lengths behind Fiercely Proud at Ascot and it is hard to see how he can reduce that deficit here.

Beat The Bat (Harry Fry)

Consistent sort who actually wasn’t a million miles behind Secret Squirrel on his last outing.

Washington (Harry Derham)

Landed a daring raid on a Listed Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse at the beginning of December and is clearly in good heart.

Aucunrisque (Chris Gordon)

A course and distance scorer but is likely to come up a little short in a Premier Handicap.

Givemefive (Harry Derham)

After a promising start to 2025, the 5yo was well and truly put to the sword by Secret Squirrel at Windsor, thus being hard to recommend.

Josh The Boss (Nigel Twiston-Davies)

Loves the going to be pretty testing and he simply isn’t going to get those kind of conditions at the weekend.

Secret Squirrel (Hughie Morrison)

With his eye-catching flaxen mane and tail, Secret Squirrel is the worthy favourite in our sports betting after his comprehensive victory in the Sovereign Handicap Hurdle at Windsor.

Mirabad (Newland & Insole)

The 6yo is doing everything right so far this season but this will require stepping up another level.

Williethebuilder (Dan Skelton)

Ran a couple of nice races at Wetherby before being pulled up last time out at Ascot. He would need to bounce back quickly.

Go Dante (Olly Murphy)

A classy 9yo who has completely lost his way since winning last season’s Imperial Cup. He’s a potential dark horse should he recapture his old form.

Navajo Indy (Tom Symonds)

Based on his three length proximity to Secret Squirrel the last time they met, the 6yo is a live contender once more.

Joyeuse (Nicky Henderson)

Closely related to Epatante, Joyeuse appears to be a mare on the up and she gets in here off a lovely low weight.

King William Rufus (Chris Gordon)

Has been running well in Class 3 and 4 handicaps but this race is an altogether different beast.

William Hill Hurdle Prediction:

1. Secret Squirrel
2. Joyeuse
3. Go Dante