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Super Saturday’s Feature Race Weights Announced
Only four winners in the history of the Newbury Hurdle have carried 11st8 or more to victory. Three of these winners have come in the last six renewals including Al Dancer (2018), Glory and Fortune (2022) and last year’s winner Iberico Lord. Persian War carried 11st13 to victory in 1968, the highest weight carrying victory in the history of the race.
Weights have been unveiled today for this year’s £155,000 Newbury Hurdle, due to be staged on Saturday, February 8 on Super Saturday. Six horses have been allocated 11st8 or higher in this year’s renewal. The James Owen trained winner of the Unibet Greatwood Hurdle, Burdett Road, has been allotted top weight of 12st. Runner up in the BetMGM Elite Hurdle, Brentford Hope, is set to carry 11st12, top weight of trainer Harry Derham’s eight entries.
Others at the top of the weights include Jeremy Scott’s Cheltenham Festival winner, Golden Ace, with an allocated weight of 11st8. Other notable entrants including Joyeuse, half-sister to Champion Hurdle winner Epatante, who is set to carry 10st1. Joyeuse is one of four entered in the race by trainer Nicky Henderson who also has last year’s winner Iberico Lord (11st8), Bo Zenith (11st2) and Impose Toi (11st5).
Two Irish entries go forwards including the Charles Byrnes trained Brave Troop (10st10) and Kala Conti trained by Gordon Elliott (11st9).
A maximum field of 24 runners is permitted to line up for the Newbury Hurdle. There is a scratchings deadline on January 21
