Unibet Tolworth Hurdle 2019 Preview, Prediction & Betting Tip

Unibet is the new sponsor of the Tolworth Hurdle (Saturday 5 January), a Grade 1 race that was first run in 1976. The race is run at Sandown over a trip just four yards short of two miles and the horses have to jump eight hurdles. Notable past winners of the race include Noland, Monsignor, Finian’s Oscar, Yorkhill, and French Holly, whilst last year’s winner Summerville Boy went on to win the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Unibet Tolworth Hurdle 2019 Trends

• All winners this century have been aged between five and seven
• Nicky Henderson has trained four of the last eight winners
• Barry Geraghty has ridden three of the last eight winners, all for Nicky Henderson
• Five of the last 10 favourites have won
• SP’s of the last 10 winners have ranged from 4/9 to 9/1

Unibet Tolworth Hurdle 2019 Main Contenders

Rathhill

Point-to-point winner that was well-touted before his hurdles debut at Newbury. He did drift on course from 2/1 to 7/2 but only needed to be shaken up after the final flight to assert his superiority. Hard to know how good that form was, but represents the powerful combination of Barry Geraghty and Nicky Henderson, with Nicky Henderson recently saying in an interview that he’s had this race in mind for him for some time.

Elixir De Nutz

Did nothing in two runs for trainer Phillip Hobbs last season but has made rapid improvement since being moved to Colin Tizzard. He was beaten on debut behind the useful Thomas Darby but has won twice at Cheltenham since including winning a Grade 2. That looks the best form on offer and he looks sure to go close for the Tizzard Stable that won the 2017 renewal with Finians’s Oscar.

Epatante

A possible second string for Nicky Henderson and his price would probably contract rapidly if Barry Geraghty is declared to ride. He would definitely have a chance too, judged on his easy win at Kempton, where he was well-backed into 8/15. However, the fact he’s drifted with many bookies since the market opened suggests Henderson may have other plans for him.

Birchdale

Yet another winning novice hurdler for Henderson and Geraghty this season, but this one looks the least likely representative having made his debut over 2 miles and five furlongs at Warwick. It has to be doubtful as to whether he will drop back in trip here, and he could be one for the Leamington Novice’s Hurdle back at Warwick later this month, which Henderson won last season with Mr Whipped.

Unibet Tolworth Hurdle 2019 Summary

As ever, Nicky Henderson has untold riches in the novice hurdle department. However, the early money suggests Rathhill is likely to be the stable’s main hope. He shouldn’t have it all his own way, as Elixir De Nutz has already run to a high standard, but it’s hard to go against Rathhill considering the record of his connections in the race in recent years.

Unibet Tolworth Hurdle 2019 Tip

Rathill