Fred Winter Hurdle

by Darren Brett
The Fred Winter Hurdle is a handicap race for four-year-old hurdlers run over 2m 110 yards where trainers can try and take advantage with a well handicapped horse. Can you spot the blot on the handicap?

Fred Winter Hurdle Trends

7/8	did not win until their third start over hurdles or later
7/8	were rated between 124 and 133
7/8	were by a Group One winning sire on the flat
5/8	won last time out
5/8	were set to carry a weight of at least 11-2
5/8	were won by French bred horses

Fred Winter Analysis

The most interesting of the above stats is the fact that only one of the eight winners of this race had won until at least their third race over hurdles.

Failing to win until their third start meant that their original handicap mark gave plenty of scope for improvement.

The general call for this race we should be looking for a juvenile that took a while to hit form but comes into the race on the back of a win or an eye-catching run.

Fred Winter Hurdle Last Eight Winners

Table below shows the last eight winners of the race.

Year	Horse	Wgt	Trainer	Jockey	Price
2013	Flaxen Flare	10-7	G Elliott	D Condon	25/1
2012	Une Artiste	10-8	N Henderson	J McGrath	40/1
2011	What A Charm	10-6	A Moore	P Townend	9/1
2010	Sanctuaire	11-9	P Nicholls	R Walsh	4/1F
2009	Silk Affair	10-4	M Quinlan	T OBrien	11/1
2008	Crack Away Jack	11-10	Miss E Lavelle	P Carberry	14/1
2007	Gaspara	10-11	D Pipe	A Glassonbury	9/2JF
2006	Shamayoun	11-3	C Egerton	P Brennan	40/1
2005	Dabiroun	11-4	P Nolan	Miss N Carberry	20/1

Fred Winter Hurdle Preview

It's well documented that Alan King does well with his juvenile hurdlers and whilst he is yet to win this race his runners remain of great interest.

King saddled the second, third and fifth from his three runners in 2011 and has placed five times from his eighteen starters since this race was introduced. A good return but the most eye-catching stat from those horses were their SPs; 50/1, 20/1, 16/1, 33/1 and 3/1.

So, keep a close eye on whatever Alan King runs in this race in 2012, particularly if his runners are an attractive price.

Fillies also have a great record in this race winning four of the eight renewals so do take note of any fillies taking part in 2013.