Adam Williams presents his prediction for the Sandown Betfair Plays Different Handicap Hurdle (2m, 3yo+ 0-150) horse racing event.
Kabral Du Mathan remains unbeaten in his brief career spanning three starts, one of which was during his previous life in France. Now racing under the care of Paul Nicholls in Britain, he marked victory in January's Juvenile Hurdle and followed it up with a win in November in a race for conditional jockeys. The 10st 9lb he’s set to carry may well offset his limited race experience.
Willmount, at six years old, hasn't had many runs. He clinched victory in last November's Novices' Hurdle but lost a shoe in December at the Coral Challow Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) and was pulled up. With a rating of 130, carrying 10st 8lb, he could impress if the ground suits him.
Altobelli is yet to start this season. Last season, he didn't secure any wins in three outings but came close on a couple of occasions. He fares well on soft ground and might put up a competitive fight in this field.
Spirits Bay also kicks off his season here; he was set to start a month ago, but faced unsuitable ground conditions. He enjoyed two wins in his last campaign, though he didn't perform well in his final run of the season, ending fifth, trailing by 20 lengths.
Go To War switched stables in October and is now under Nicky Henderson's tutelage. He showed promise last season, securing two wins and now carries a balanced mark of 123 with the lightest load of 10st 1lb. We have faith in Nicky and back him to win at odds of 7/1 with bet365.
Nemean Lion boasts the highest rating among the contenders at 150. He triumphed in February's Jennings Bet Kingwell Hurdle (Grade 2), but faced tougher fields in Grade 1 competitions at Cheltenham and Aintree, where he struggled. While this isn’t the same level of company, carrying 12st still seems too much of an ask.
