Race In Focus: William Hill Hurdle tips and analysis for Saturday February 7

William Hill Hurdle - 15.20 Newbury

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Timeform Verdict

This is one of the few leading handicap hurdles to have eluded Dan Skelton and he might be able to put that right courtesy of LET IT RAIN, who made a highly promising start to her handicap career when a close third at Ascot before Christmas. All In You was narrowly ahead of her in second on that occasion and is feared most having scored in taking fashion at Sandown since. Gerry Feilden winner Tutti Quanti is next on the list ahead of the likeable Hot Fuss.

Daryl Jacob Insight

I think there will be a good even gallop on in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle. There's lots of pace on paper, but the jockeys will be sensible in what are likely to be very testing conditions.

Let It Rain is the favourite and you can see why. Harry Skelton opts to miss his beloved Warwick to ride this mare and she looks like she's been laid out for it after just three runs.

She is short, though, in conditions she won't be used to, and I'd rather look elsewhere. Others on the shortlist include Tutti Quanti who is top weight off 138 and that's a sign of the times, there used to be 150-rated horses in this when I was riding in it.

Novices need four runs to qualify now as well and Un Sens A La Vie is one such horse for the Twiston-Davies team. He'll likely be better than a 130-rated horse but will this test suit? He might be better on better ground, I think he's probably more of a speed horse. He is talented, though.

However, LANESBOROUGH is my idea of the likely winner. He bolted up at Doncaster in December when they had the Christmas money on him and I don't think he stayed over 2m5f at Kempton.

Back down in trip on testing ground, he can go really well under Brendan Powell for Ben Pauling.

As for an each-way selection DANCE AND GLANCE looks a big price at 20/1 for the in-form Anthony Honeyball team.

He beat All In You and Let It Rain at Ascot in soft ground, is better off at the weights with both and is a miles bigger price than the pair of them, so he looks a good each-way bet getting five places.

Timeform Pace Prediction

Pace Forecast : Strong

Specific Pace Hint : The prospects of BUBBLE DUBI rather than LET IT RAIN will almost certainly be decreased if the pace is as unrelenting as is forecast.

Individual Price Hint : THE HARDEST GEEZER traded at a quarter or less of his starting Betfair SP when beaten on his latest outing.

Free Video Replays

LET IT RAIN - Ascot 19/12/2025

TUTTI QUANTI - Newbury 29/11/2025

UN SENS A LA VIE - Ludlow 17/12/2025

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