William Hill Super Saturday preview

William Hill has begun its sponsorship of Super Saturday at Newbury, including the richest handicap hurdle in the UK or Ireland, the William Hill Hurdle.

Our blog previews Saturday’s feature event, as well as the two supporting Grade Two contests on the card.

Take advantage of our Bet 10 Get 10 offer for Newbury on Saturday – https://wh.bet/B10G10Newbury

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Grade Two William Hill Bet10 Get10 On Racing Denman Chase

The Denman Chase has been won by several superstars down the years, including Gold Cup winners. It’s unlikely we’ll see the winner of the Cheltenham showpiece this weekend, but it’s still an intriguing betting heat.

Bravemansgame leads the betting at 2/1. His form far outdoes anything else in the field here, but it’s now two years since his last success, and his most recent performance in the King George at Kempton—a track that usually brings him to life—suggests he’s best watched here.

One who is on the comeback trail is Venetia Williams’ Djelo. The seven-year-old finished behind Protektorat last time out at Windsor on the Berkshire Winter Million card, but the race was never run to suit and a return to more prominent tactics will help. He doesn’t have a Protektorat to beat here, and 4/1 looks a fair price.

Grade Two William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Game Spirit Chase

One of the most anticipated contests of Saturday afternoon is the William Hill Game Spirit Chase, which sees the exciting Sir Gino step into open company for the first time following an impressive chasing debut.

The Nicky Henderson five-year-old is the 4/9 favourite in the betting and is looking to make it a seventh victory out of seven this weekend. It’s not often we see such a step up in class for a horse making just his second start over the bigger obstacles, but it’s a clear indication of how highly he’s regarded at Seven Barrows.

Matata could hardly have been more impressive than on his last run when winning on Berkshire Winter Millions’ weekend at Windsor. His ability was always clear for all to see, but he can be very keen in his races, often spoiling his chance at the business end. He settled better at Windsor, but the mid-race move to take himself away from the field was the winning of the race and no mean feat carrying clear top-weight. He’s 7/1 here and will give Sir Gino something to think about, at the very least.

William Hill Hurdle

One of the most competitive hurdle handicaps of the UK National Hunt calendar, the William Hill Hurdle often boasts a deep and fascinating field, and is a race we have our Top Price Guarantee on.

18 have been declared for the feature, with the market headed by Hughie Morrison’s Secret Squirrel, the 4/1 favourite. He arrives as a winner from last time out at Windsor, which was more comfortable than the two-length margin suggested. He’s still unexposed and has a favourite’s chance. It may be worth looking elsewhere, however.

Nicky Henderson has two in the race, a good chance in Joyuese (5/1) and last year’s winner Iberico Lord (18/1). Joyuese was an eye-catcher last time out at Cheltenham when not having the cleanest of runs up the hill before staying on to finish second – despite that, she still had a fair chance to go past that day and can be left alone here. Iberico Lord was a ready winner of this race in 2024, from L’Eau Du Sud who went so close in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, however he took a fair hike in the handicap for that and has diverted back to hurdling following a disappointing attempt at chasing.

One that does look overpriced at the time of writing is Fiercely Proud for Ben Pauling. A winner of a valuable handicap at Ascot, he backed up what was an encouraging run in the Greatwood Hurdle. He stayed on strongly at Ascot and had a number of rivals that he faces here behind him. He is of interest at 10/1.

Check out the latest odds on horse racing here with William Hill