Eleven Irish in Betfair Hurdle Eleven Irish entries have been received for the Betfair Hurdle on February 10. They include seven from the yard of champion trainer Willie Mullins, spearheaded by Grade One winner Bleu Et Rouge. Gordon Elliott is responsible for the other four Irish entries which include Duca De Thaix, a Grade Three winner at Limerick last time out. Ben Pauling is hoping High Bridge can maintain his unbeaten record at Newbury in the ultra-competitive handicap. The seven-year-old made it three from three at the Berkshire track in the Gerry Feilden Hurdle in November. "The Betfair Hurdle is very much the aim for High Bridge," said Pauling. "He has been very good since his win at Newbury last time out and the Betfair Hurdle has been the target since then. "We purposely avoided Ascot (on December 23) as we wanted to prepare him for Newbury. "The horse seems in good order and hopefully will remain that way for the Betfair Hurdle. "He is unbeaten at Newbury and really seems to like it there. It wasn't our intention to make the running last time and he will be much better with a lead. I'd be confident of him getting that in the Betfair Hurdle. "He seems to handle most types of ground and we should hopefully get a nice weight." Nicky Henderson, chasing a sixth win in the race, is responsible for nine entries including Grade Two bumper winner Kayf Grace, who returned to winning ways at Kempton last time out, and recent Sandown scorer Call Me Lord. Defi Du Seuil, last year's top juvenile hurdler, is a notable entry for Philip Hobbs, while Richard Woollacott's Lalor is among the leading contenders. Flying the flag for Nigel Twiston-Davies, who saddled last year's winner Ballyandy, will be El Terremoto, while Paul Nicholls has entered Cliffs Of Dover, Irving and Mont Des Avaloirs. Click for Entries
