A TOTAL of 20 horses are set to go to post for Britain’s richest handicap hurdle, the £155,000 Grade Three Betfair Hurdle (3.35pm), at Newbury on Saturday.

Owner JP McManus is responsible for both of Betfair’s 5/1 joint-favourites in the extended two-mile contest – Consul de Thaix (Nicky Henderson, 11st 1lb) and Movewiththetimes (Paul Nicholls, 10st 11lb).

Consul de Thaix is trying to make it third time lucky this season after chasing home stable companion Brain Power in valuable handicap hurdles at Sandown Park and Ascot, while Movewiththetimes is one of the least exposed contenders, having won two of his three starts in novice company.

McManus, who saw his famous colours carried to success in the race by Get Me Out Of Here (2010) and My Tent Or Yours (2013), could also be represented by De Names Escapes Me (Noel Meade IRE, 11st, 16/1) and Hargam (Nicky Henderson, 11st 7lb, 20/1).

The contest is the highlight of Betfair Super Saturday and champion trainer Nicholls has also left in Zubayr (11st 2lb, 12/1), not seen out since finishing fifth at Sandown Park in a Listed handicap hurdle in early December.

Song Light (10st 8lb, 12/1) brings strong handicap form to the table, having finished a close third behind North Hill Harvey in the Grade Three Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham in November.

The seven-year-old was also fifth behind Jolly’s Cracked It and Sternrubin in last season’s Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle at Ascot.

Trainer Seamus Mullins, who trains north of Salisbury, said: “Song Light is fit, well and raring to go.

“We have had the Betfair Hurdle in mind for some time. He was due to go to Ascot before Christmas, but had to miss that. We decided to wait as there wasn’t much else suitable for him.

“I thought his run at Cheltenham was very good. He travelled well, but just wasn’t on the right stride at the last. He does seem to enjoy Cheltenham as he has been placed there before.

“He is a horse who is getting it together over hurdles. I think he can run a big race on Saturday. My only concern would be really testing or heavy ground as he didn’t run well on that sort of ground at Sandown last year. Soft or good to soft ground will be fine.”

Ballyandy (Nigel Twiston-Davies, 10st 10lb, 13/2) landed the Grade One Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival last season, but is winless in three starts over hurdles so far this season.

He has twice finished behind the very promising Moon Racer and is a fascinating contender on his handicap debut. The six-year-old could be joined by stable companion Ballyhill (10st 11lb, 33/1).

Another interesting contender off his current handicap rating is Clyne (Evan Williams, 11st 4lb, 7/1), who on his latest appearance came within a length of defeating The New One in the G2 Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock Park on January 21.

William H Bonney (Alan King, 10st 12lb, 9/1) recorded an impressive victory last time out at Cheltenham last month, for which he collected a five-pound penalty, while Wait For Me (Philip Hobbs, 10st 13lb, 14/1) finished fifth in the same contest.

Other leading contenders include Beltor (Robert Stephens, 10st 10lb, 16/1), a very useful novice two seasons ago who has hinted at a return to form during the current campaign, top-weight Renneti (Willie Mullins IRE, 11st 12lb, 16/1) and Krugermac (9st 8lb, 16/1), who represents triple Betfair Hurdle-winning trainer Gary Moore.

In addition to the feature race, other highlights include the Grade Two £50,000 Betfair Denman Chase (2.25pm) and the £50,000 Grade Two Betfair Exchange Chase (3pm).

The seven-race card commences at 1.15pm, and racegoers will also be treated to parades from retired equine superstars Denman and Sprinter Sacre before racing.

Betfair Hurdle: 5/1 Consul de Thaix, Movewiththetimes; 13/2 Ballyandy; 7/1 Clyne; 9/1 William H Bonney; 12/1 Song Light, Zubayr; 14/1 Wait For Me; 16/1 Beltor, De Name Escapes Me, Krugermac, Renneti; 20/1 Hargam, Veinard; 25/1 Eddiemaurice; 33/1 Ballyhill, Gassin Golf, Kayf Blanco; 40/1 Boite; 50/1 Kapstadt (odds courtesy of Betfair)