Alan thinks his Betfair pair are overpriced at Newbury on Saturday

Bookmakers have enjoyed “a result” in the prestigious Betfair Hurdle twice in the last three years, courtesy of Pic Dorhy (33-1) and Glory And Fortune (20-1), and Alan is hopeful that either of our two representatives, Restitution or Tritonic, might prove the surprise-packet to provide a big-race celebration for Barbury at Newbury on Saturday.

Clearly taking the view that both are overpriced by layers in ante-post lists, Alan said:”Restitution was impressive when winning at Doncaster after Christmas, and, though this is a big step up in class, he is a progressive horse who is still maturing. He won’t mind the good ground and I can see him running well.”

Tritonic will also be suited by the drying underfoot conditions, and Alan added:”He did not get the trip on tacky ground when tried over two and a half miles at Cheltenham last time, but in first time cheekpieces I am hoping he might bounce back to form now that he comes back in distance. He schooled in the headgear earlier in the week.

“It is not that Tritonic is ungenuine, but he can be a bit lazy in the first part of his race, and the cheekpieces might help him travel that bit better.”

Also at Newbury we have Jay Bee Why in the three mile handicap hurdle and Masaccio in the Listed bumper.

Alan said:””Jay Bee Why has been a bit disappointing, but he is another who we have schooled in cheekpieces, so, hopefully, they will make a difference, while I was delighted how well Masaccio ran on his comeback at Warwick on New Year’s Eve, his first outing in two years. He has since enjoyed a good break, and he will come on for Warwick, so if he copes with this quicker ground he could be competitive here.”

Assessing our four runners at Warwick on Saturday, Alan added:”Messire des Obeaux is in the two and a half mile handicap chase. He ran well until tiring three out at Wincanton, his first race for 13 months, and Tom Cannon wisely pulled him up. He has had a break since and worked very well last week-end, so I am looking forward to getting him out again.

“Another I like is Favour And Fortune in the bumper. He was an impressive winner at Southwell earlier in the season and is a horse who will be even better next winter.

“Gitche Gumee, who runs in the novice hurdle, is another who has been disappointing, since he won his first two races. But he is a big baby who needs to grow up mentally. and I am sure we haven’t yet seen the best of him.

“Finally, Thunder Ahead, who finished third when a big outsider at Warwick this time last year, returns there for the handicap hurdle.”