Irving doubt for Betfair

Conditions at Newbury by this Saturday could force Paul Nicholls into a reshuffle of troops for the Betfair Hurdle.

The ground is already very soft at the Berkshire course, with further rain on the horizon, and the trainer’s reluctance to risk ante-post favourite Irving in such conditions has seen stablemate Irish Saint leap ahead of him in the sponsors’ market.

Irving could then be steered back down the novice route towards Cheltenham with another of the Axom syndicate’s horses, Far West, taking his place.