Could Brewin’Upastorm be a dark horse for the 2019 Ballymore Novice Hurdle?

There have already been a number of impressive performances in the novice hurdler division, which is setting up to be a competitive market for both the Supreme and Ballymore races at Cheltenham in 2019.

The antepost markets are always huge for bookmakers, with operators reporting significant gains on bets placed prior to the Festival taking place. To a certain degree, given the time-lapse between these bets being placed, and the actual date of the race — they’re a bookmaker’s dream. For this reason, punters across the UK and Ireland are always looking for value in these markets — be it from a price advantage, or often from a sign-up bonus or offer. The competition to lead the market in this area is rife, and with so many different betting offers available, SportyTrader offer some great insight into which are the best offers out there.

Heading the Ballymore market at this early stage, is the Nicky Henderson trained, Champ. He has now won his last four races in succession with his most recent start a very impressive victory at Newbury. He looks a smart horse, so is the right favourite at present. Another horse who was very impressive on his hurdling debut and looks to have crept under the radar is, Brewin’Upastorm — who finished a credible fourth behind Champ last time out.

The five-year-old is around 25/1 for the Ballymore at present, and this could look a huge price come the festival. He is trained by Olly Murphy, who has been one of the rising forces of the training ranks since acquiring his licence. He previously worked as an assistant trainer to Gordon Elliott, so certainly has a depth of experience, having worked with one of the best around. In Brewin’Upastorm, he has a very exciting novice hurdler on his hands, who was also a leading bumper horse last season.

Brewin’Upastorm won his first two bumper starts including a highly impressive display in beating Portrush Ted by nine lengths, despite taking a keen hold for much of the contest.

Portrush Ted has certainly gone on to frank the form in firstly running away with the grade two bumper at Aintree very impressively. Following this, he returned this season winning on his hurdling debut by 17 lengths at short odds. The question now arises how good is Brewin’Upastorm?

He was defeated on his following start, in what was the first defeat of his short career when beaten 13 ½ lengths by 2018 Champion bumper fourth, Acey Milan. He was gambled into favouritism on the day but ran below par with the ground very soft, which possibly played against him. He was then given a lengthy break of 302 days meaning he missed the Festival, which could be a blessing as it is such a big ask to run in the Champion bumper for a young horse, and it usually leaves its mark.

Brewin’Upastorm made his hurdling debut recently at Huntingdon and was duly backed off the boards into odds on favouritism, under the champion jockey, Richard Johnson. He travelled ominously well in behind the leaders for much of the contest and could be called the winner from a long way out. He only had to be pushed out to win very readily by four lengths from Brecon Hill, who himself had won his previous start impressively by six lengths.

The horse is likely to remain under the radar considering he is not trained by the likes of Willie Mullins, which is always going to factor into his attractive looking price. He is already gaining high praise from his trainer who says he is not only the best he has in the yard, but could be the best he may ever have. Brewin’Upastorm is without a doubt one of the most exciting horses in the novice hurdling ranks and rates a strong selection at this early stage for this season’s open looking Ballymore at the 2019 Cheltenham festival.