Race Overview and Significance
The bet365 Select Hurdle represents one of Ripon's premier National Hunt contests, a Grade 2 affair that regularly attracts the cream of Britain's staying hurdlers. This £80,000 prize has become a key target for connections plotting routes to the season's major festivals, and Saturday's renewal looks particularly strong with six declared runners all carrying serious credentials.
The 2m 5f 110y trip suits horses with proven stamina, and the good ground with firm patches should play to the speedier types in the field. I've been covering this race for fifteen years, and the quality assembled here wouldn't look out of place at Cheltenham or Aintree.
The Contenders Analysed
Kabral du Mathan (11-10, 156 rating)
Dan Skelton's charge tops the weights and ratings for good reason. This six-year-old gelding has been in the form of his life this season, and Harry Skelton knows him inside out. The tongue-tie suggests they're leaving nothing to chance, and his rating of 156 puts him a clear 5lb ahead of his nearest rival on paper.
What impresses me most about Kabral du Mathan is his versatility. He's won on ground ranging from good to heavy, and his jumping has tightened up considerably since last autumn. The Skelton team have been patient with him, and that patience looks set to pay dividends here.
Jingko Blue (11-8, 153 rating)
Nicky Henderson's course winner gets the crucial 4lb weight allowance and cannot be dismissed lightly. James Bowen takes the ride, and his 7lb claim effectively puts this seven-year-old on level terms with the favourite. The course form is a significant plus - local knowledge counts for plenty around Ripon's unique undulations.
Henderson wouldn't send him north without genuine expectations. The trainer's northern raids are usually well-planned affairs, and Jingko Blue arrives here fresh from a confidence-boosting win last time out.
Lucky Place (11-10, 151 rating)
Another from the Henderson stable, this time with champion jockey Nico de Boinville in the plate. Lucky Place has been knocking on the door in similar company all season, and his rating of 151 suggests he's more than capable of winning a race like this. The concern is whether Henderson can get both his runners firing on the same day - historically, he tends to have a strong preference when running two in the same race.
Rubaud (11-10, 145 rating)
Paul Nicholls sends Harry Cobden north with this eight-year-old, and you ignore the Ditcheat maestro at your peril. Rubaud's rating looks the most workable of the leading contenders, and his proven stamina for this trip gives him every chance if the pace is strong. At 8-1 in early markets, he represents potential value.
French Ship (11-4, 146 rating)
Philip Hobbs has always been underrated as a trainer, and French Ship could be the each-way value in the field. The 6-year-old gets significant weight relief and has been running consistently well in similar company. Ben Jones knows the horse well, and the booking suggests genuine confidence from the Hobbs team.
Altobelli (11-4, 144 rating)
Harry Fry's runner completes the field, and while his rating suggests he'll need to improve, the tongue-tie indicates connections feel there's more to come. Bryan Carver has been in good form lately, and the weight allowance brings him right into calculations.
Going and Course Conditions
The good to good-to-firm going (90/10 ratio) should suit most of these, though it's worth noting that Ripon's track can play differently depending on recent weather. The firm patches will favour the quicker horses, and I expect we'll see a strong pace throughout given the quality of the field.
Ripon's unique layout - with its long straight and testing uphill finish - tends to find out horses who aren't fully fit. The course rewards stamina and jumping accuracy in equal measure, particularly over this extended trip.
Value Picks and Dangers
While Kabral du Mathan looks the most obvious winner, his price will reflect that superiority. The value angle has to be Jingko Blue, whose course form and weight allowance make him a serious threat to the favourite. His odds should be significantly bigger than his chances warrant.
The danger could come from an improving type like French Ship, who gets in light and represents a yard that doesn't travel north without serious intent. Don't overlook Rubaud either - Nicholls' runners often improve for their travels, and Harry Cobden's presence suggests this isn't just a fact-finding mission.
Who is the favourite for the bet365 Select Hurdle?
Kabral du Mathan heads the market and deservedly so. His rating of 156 puts him clear of his rivals on paper, and the Skelton team have been targeting this race for months. However, his odds of around 6/4 leave little room for value punters.
Which horse offers the best value in this Grade 2 contest?
Jingko Blue looks overpriced at around 7/2. His course-winning form gives him a significant edge, and the 4lb weight allowance from James Bowen's claim makes him competitive with the favourite on adjusted ratings. Henderson's northern raiders demand respect.
What impact will the going have on the race outcome?
The good to good-to-firm conditions should produce a true test, with the firm patches likely to quicken the pace. This favours horses with proven speed as well as stamina, potentially playing into the hands of the higher-rated performers who can sustain a strong gallop throughout the extended trip.
Final Verdict
This shapes up as a cracking renewal of the bet365 Select Hurdle. While Kabral du Mathan sets a clear standard, the value lies with Jingko Blue, whose course form and weight relief make him a serious player. Check the latest odds on the Ripon racecard before placing your bets.
Selection: Jingko Blue (each-way)
Danger: Kabral du Mathan
Outsider: French Ship
