It’s hugely disappointing that only three have been declared for the Grade 2 Elite Hurdle this year, one less than last season’s four runners.

Nonetheless, it’s a fascinating three-runner race, with Henry de Bromhead sending over last time out winner Aspire Tower.

Here, I’ll give my in-depth thoughts on all three runners and the best online horse racing bookmakers to place you winning Elite Hurdle bet.

BetMGM Elite Hurdle runner by runner betting guide

Now it’s time to take a in-dept looking into runners of the BetMGM Elite Hurdle and the best horse racing bookmakers to help you make a winning bet.

🏇 1 Rubaud

• Age: 6
• Weight: 11st 8lb
• Form: 2456-1
• Rating: 147
• Jockey: Harry Cobden
• Trainer: Paul Nicholls
• Odds: 5/4

Rubaud was winning this last season as a 1/2 favourite, and even with him only facing two rivals here, this looks a better renewal than last season.

He started his campaign with a faultless win at Kempton when Paul Nicholls’s horses were not in the best form. Though that was a poor listed hurdle, he couldn’t have been more impressive in winning how he did.

With the inclusion of Aspire Tower, it’s unlikely that he will have an easy time on the front end.

There will be no excuses with him here today as he has his preferred conditions, but he could find it hard to give weight away to higher-rated rivals.

✅ Last year’s winner
✅ Comes in on the back of a win
✅ Has his ideal conditions

❌ Has to give weight away to his two rivals

Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🐎 Bet on Rubaud with talkSPORT BET 🐎

🏇 3 Brentford Hope

• Age: 7
• Weight: 11st 2lb
• Form: 3211-1
• Rating: 148
• Jockey: Paul O’Brien
• Trainer: Harry Derham
• Odds: 2/1

Once rated 100 on the flat, Brentford Hope has made a fair fist of it so far over hurdles, only finishing outside the top three once in his 12 starts, including five wins.

He has form on all ground but brings his best form to the table with a bit of cut in the ground, which is a slight worry here.

There have been a few occasions where he has travelled up looking the most likely winner, only to find less than you think.

Tactically, he can make the running or sit off it, but I see him sitting off the front to here with either Rubaud or Aspire Tower likey to get on with things.

But if it were a slow-run race, it would count against Brentford Hopes’ chances, as he tends to travel quite strongly and could overdo it off a slow pace.

A final word of caution on Brentford Hope is that back in December 2022, he clashed with Rubaud and was no match for him on the day, finishing seven lengths behind him in second. Although he has improved since that clash, has he improved enough to turn around his form?

✅ Has become very reliable
✅ Has shown form on all types of ground

❌ Was beat fair and square by Rubaud when they last met
❌ Doesn’t always find much off the bridle

Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

🐎 Bet on Brentford Hope with BetMGM 🐎

🏇 2 Aspire Tower

• Age: 8
• Weight: 11st 2lb
• Form: 342F-1
• Rating: 148
• Jockey: Darragh O’Keeffe
• Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
• Odds: 6/1

Once seen finishing fourth in the Champion Hurdle behind Honeysuckle, Aspire Tower was hit with injury problems soon after.

After a 902-day absence, he finished a very tired third at Thurles over 12 months ago.

Henry set sights on chasing soon after with him, and with a third to now three-time Grade 1 novice chase winner, Il Etait Temps, you would be forgiven to think that Aspire Tower looked to have a future over fences. But that run was marred by niggly mistakes throughout.

Back over hurdles against Sir Gerhard was a backwards step, but a better run over fences followed. However, his season ended on a low with a fall in a beginner’s chase at Leopardstown.

He was sent back hurdling this season, and he looked much more at home over the smaller obstacles when digging in to win by over three lengths at Punchestown, seeing off Eagle Fan, and he had the 4/9 favourite Pied Piper well beaten before his fall.

Although that was only a four-runner race, he had them on the stretch from a long way out, and I see the same tactics being used here.

If they leave Aspire Tower alone on the front end, they will find it hard to pass a horse of his calibre, especially with the weights in his favour.

His current price of 6/1 makes no sense to me, as I would have him considerably shorter in the betting.

✅ Looked as he was coming back to his best last time
✅ Grade 1 placed hurdler
✅ His trainer has an excellent record when sending runners to the UK

❌ Can throw in a shutting mistake

Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🐎 Bet on Aspire Tower with Spreadex 🐎

BetMGM Elite Hurdle Verdict

This could become tactical, but if Darragh O’Keeffe can get his own way on the front end, he can lead them from pillar to post on ASPIRE TOWER.

A former Grade 1 placed hurdler, Aspire Tower looked like his old self when winning at Punchestown on his seasonal return. He has every right to come on from that run, and if so, he will be a tough nut to crack.

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