Ted Walsh's Triumph Hurdle winner Commanche Court has been installed the 10 to 1 favourite by the sponsors for the Ladbroke Hurdle at Leopards town on January 10th after the weights for the race were issued yesterday.
Commanche Court has been given 10st 12lb by the handicapper Noel O'Brien behind the joint top weights, Theatreworld and the Champion Hurdle second favourite Shadow Leader, both of which are on 12st.
Fifty-two entries remain, with 12 horses from Britain left in to try and add to last year's surprise success by Master Tribe but Shadow Leader, yet to run this season, is a very doubtful starter.
One horse figuring significantly on 10st is Graphic Equaliser, trained by Arthur Moore, who has an excellent record in this race and its predecessor, the Sweeps Hurdle. Graphic Equaliser has been made a 12 to 1 shot and Moore's Major Jamie, winner of the William Hill Hurdle at Sandown last time under Ruby Walsh, has been made a 16 to 1 chance.
Ladbrokes spokesman Andy Clifton said: "We always see a wide spread of money in the opening stages especially from the shrewdies in Ireland. But as always the key to finding the winner is to make an educated guess as to what the weights will be if, for instance, the top four don't run. That would bring Jenny Pitman's Sandown winner Balladur bang into contention."
Ladbrokes betting: 10/1 Commanche Court, 12/1 Alabang, Broken Rites, Graphic Equaliser, Toast The Spreece, 14/1 L'Opera, 16/1 Balladur, Major Jamie, Sharpical, 20/1 Bar.
Weights: 12st: Shadow Leader (trained by C R Egerton), Theatreworld (A P O'Brien); 11st 9lb: Juyush (J A B Old), Lady Daisy (Anthony Mullins); 11st 4lb: Moorish (N A TwistonDavies), Toast The Spreece (A P O'Brien); 11st 3lb: Indefence (Mrs J Pitman); 10st 13lb: Notcomplainingbut (P Mullins); 10st 12lb: Commanche Court (T M Walsh), Tibetan (Lady Herries).
10st 11lb: Circus Star (D Nicholson); 10st 10lb: Bolino Star (S J Treacy), L'Opera (D Nicholson); 10st 7lb: Native-Darrig (W P Mullins); 10st 6lb: Sharpical (N J Henderson); 10st 5lb: Gazalani (Patrick O'Brady), Padashpan (W P Mullins); 10st 2lb: Carlito Brigante (P R Webber); 10st 1lb: Desert Mountain (N A Callaghan), Major Jamie (A L T Moore).
10st: Alabang (M J Comacho), Arctic Weather (M J P O'Brien), Graphic Equaliser (A L T Moore), Palette (W P Mullins), Top Cees (Mrs J R Ramsden); 9st 13lb: Metastasio (D G McArdle); 9st 10lb: Advocat (Noel Meade), Non Vintage (M C Chapman), Windy Bee (Brian Nolan); 9st 9lb: Ciara's Prince (F Flood), Greenhue (M J P O'Brien), Walk On Mix (Noel Meade); 9st 8lb: Fishin Joella (Noel Meade); 9st 7lb: Fiddlers Bow VI (Noel Meade), Impulsive Dream (E J O'Grady), Kilspindie (A I T Moore); 9st 6lb: All The Vowels (J E Mulhern), Hard News (D P Kelly), Leggagh Lady (Patrick Joseph Flynn), Skipo (D K Weld).
9st 5lb: Strontium (John F Gleeson); 9st 4lb: Broken Rites (W M Roper); 9st 3lb: Balladur (Mrs J Pitman); 9st 2lb: Collon Leader (J Larkin), Palamon (P Eccles); 9st: Fountain Page (David A Kiely), Tidjani (Francis Berry); 8st 13lb: Ginger Fox (Mrs J Pitman); 8st 10lb: Dunrally Fort (T J O'Mara); 8st 7lb: Sir John (A P O'Brien); 8st 6lb: Magical Way (John Brassil); 8st 4lb: Lewisham (A P O'Brien).
Recommended safety limit 30.
