Can handicap debutants continue to dominate in the EBF Final?

2.05 Kempton
European Breeders Fund Paddy Power "National Hunt" EBF Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final (Grade 3) | 2m5f | 4-7yo | ITV4/RTV

With the last four winners making their handicap debuts and plenty of other such runners going well they should really be the starting point in this contest.

Given McFabulous has been sent off favourite on five of his last six starts he is likely to be popular off a mark of 132 on the back of a comfortable success from rivals rated 127 and 133 at Market Rasen. However, they were conceding him weight, it turned into a bit of a sprint and, not for the first time, he showed a tendency to hang left.

More appealing is Hurricane Harvey, who has also been extremely popular in the market in his last few starts and his form stands up to scrutiny. On a line through the reopposing Hometown Boy, who he beat by 18 lengths two starts ago, he has little to fear from McFabulous on these terms and he has since scored at Wincanton with something in hand from a couple of subsequent winners. He looks solid.

Cheltenham form tenuously goes under the spotlight through the likes of topweight Keen On (who was fourth behind Ballymore fifth Mossy Fen last time) and Shang Tang (sixth to Supreme third Chantry House in December), although arguably more interesting at the prices is Igor, who clearly hit the front too soon before finishing sixth at Warwick in January, two places behind Sire Du Berlais, who won the Pertemps Final for the second year running on Thursday.

That was actually his handicap debut and he has since been turned over at 11-10, but Nicky Henderson has won this twice in the last ten years. Falco Blitz, one of Henderson’s other runners, also fits that bill. He is closely matched with Blackfinch on their first and second at Ascot in January.

What they say

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Keen On, Falco Blitz and Igor
All three were going to run in it last Saturday. I think Sandown would have suited them better than Kempton. They’re all in good form.

Oliver Sherwood, trainer of Sevarano and Republican
We’re putting a visor on Sevarano - he’ll need to be a bit sharper round Kempton on decent ground. His form is good. The horse who beat him at Doncaster [The Macon Lugnatic] won again at the track on Thursday. He’s a big horse so the weight will be no inconvenience. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet. Republican is very much an improving type. He might not be quite good enough to win, but I think he’s on the right side of the handicapper.

Sevarano: runs with a first time visor at KemptonCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Paul Nicholls, trainer of McFabulous
The rescheduling of this race is a big plus for him. Kempton’s flatter track will suit him better than Sandown. I think he’s got a great chance.

Fergal O’Brien, trainer of Hurricane Harvey and Thegallantway
We’ve got the benefit of James Bowen on Hurricane Harvey. He’s a strong traveller, and I think the race will suit him. Thegallantway is another who has done nothing wrong. He has a nice weight.

David Pipe, trainer of Eden Du Houx and First Lord De Cuet
Eden Du Houx won at Chepstow two runs ago over 2m. This is a step up in trip on better ground. First Lord De Cuet has had a wind op since his last run at Haydock. He might have won that race if he had jumped the last better. It’s also a step up in trip for him. He has a chance too.

Emma Lavelle, trainer of Shang Tang
He’ll run a real nice race. He’s at the right end of the weights and the longer distance will help him. He loves to travel and come with one run - you can do that round Kempton.

Colin Tizzard, trainer of War Lord
He’s won two for us this season. It’s a deep race, but I think he’s well handicapped and should be competitive.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Olly The Brave
I think he’ll get the trip and he wants this nicer ground. I hope he’d have a good chance.

You can now place bets with Betfair without leaving the free Racing Post app. Download or update to the latest app at racingpost.com/mobile to get started