Cheltenian top weight for Betfair Hurdle

Letcombe trainer set to run exciting novice Affaire D'Honneura

PHILLIP Hobbs’ Cheltenian tops the weights for Saturday’s £155,000 Betfair Hurdle at Newbury Racecourse.

Last year’s runner-up is priced around 20/1 for Britain's richest handicap hurdle, which will be run over an extended two miles on a track which is currently heavy, soft in places after the recent rain.

The 10-year-old is one of three entries from the Somerset stable, headed by 6/1 chance War Sound and Sternrubin.

The current 5/1 favourite is Paul Nicholls’ Modus, who won over the course and distance in November and was last seen out when third at Taunton on December 30 and other contenders include Harry Whittington’s exciting novice Affaire D'Honneura and Evan Williams’ John Constable.

A maximum of 24 runners can line up in the race, which is due off at 3.35pm on Saturday.