Saturday updates: Bravemansgame weak, Djelo surges and Harry Fry runner smashed into 8-1 from 18-1 in the William Hill Hurdle

Beat The Bat has been a big market mover in the William Hill Hurdle (3.35) on Saturday morning, shortening into 8-1 from the 18-1 available overnight. 

The seven-year-old has been well backed to give trainer Harry Fry his first success in the ultra-valuable handicap hurdle. He is as short as 13-2 with Sky Bet.

Beat The Bat has only run twice in handicaps and shaped with great promise when second at Haydock on Betfair Chase day in November. He was last seen finishing seventh behind Secret Squirrel at Windsor last month.

Secret Squirrel remains the 4-1 market leader to land more glory for Hughie Morrison, with Joyeuse and Gerry Feilden winner Navajo Indy next in the betting.

Saturday's market movers

Newbury
1.15: Kientzheim 10-11 (from 11-10)
1.50: Haiti Couleurs 7-2 (from 11-2
2.25: Djelo 7-4 (from 10-3)
3.00: JPR One 4-1 (from 6)
3.35: Beat The Bat 9-1 (from 18)
3.35: Iberico Lord 12-1 (from 20)

Also on the card, the William Hill Denman Chase (2.25) has been reduced a field of seven after Le Patron was declared a non-runner due to the ground.

The Gary and Josh Moore-trained seven-year-old was well touted for the Grade 2, having impressively won a handicap chase at the track in November. His absence leaves seven runners to go to post, with Fugitif taking his chance instead of heading to Warwick.

Bravemansgame, winless since the 2022 King George VI Chase, has been weak in the market for the Denman and has been replaced as favourite by the well-backed Djelo, who is into 7-4 from 10-3.

The Moores have also pulled out Editeur Du Gite out of the 2m4f veterans' handicap chase at Warwick (3.15) on account of the ground. Everest (knocked joint) and Bradshaw (going) have also been pulled out of the 2m½f novice hurdle at Newbury (1.15), which means the yard will not have any runners on Saturday.

The feature William Hill Hurdle (3.35) has also had its field reduced this morning, with Givemefive scratched due to the ground. It leaves a field of 17 to go to post for the 2m½f contest.

Updated at 10.05am

• Harry Wilson identified three winners in his last column - find out his tips for every race on ITV4 on Saturday  

Saturday's notable non-runners from Britain's Premier meetings:

Newbury
1.15: 7 Everest, 8 Bradshaw
2.25: 4 Le Patron
3.00: 4 Sir Gino
3.35: 10 Givemefive

Warwick
3.15: 1 Fugitif, 3 Editeur Du Gite, 7 Straw Fan Jack
3.48: 5 Colours On Canvas, 8 Herbiers

Going update: Newbury ground eased slightly after overnight rain

The going has eased slightly at Newbury ahead of its super Saturday card after the track was hit by rain overnight.

Approximately 5mm of rain fell at the Berkshire venue into Saturday morning, which was expected, and the ground has been changed to soft, good to soft in places, from good to soft, soft in places.

Speaking at 8am, clerk of the course George Hill said: "We had around 5mm rainfall in total, which was forecast from the declarations stage. We did dry back a bit yesterday, but then the rain came so we're back to square one.

"It'll be a fairly calm forecast for today with a bit of rain, but it will not make any difference. It'll be a damp day and we've lost one or two good horses as non-runners, but we still have a fine card."

It is soft at Warwick – Britain's other Premier meeting today – in which L'Eau Du Sud warms up for the Arkle in the Grade 2 Kingmaker Novices' Chase (2.05).

Posted at 8.40am

Read these next:

'All three of mine can run blinders' - William Hill Hurdle trainers have their say on one of the best betting races of the year 

Bravemansgame towers over his opposition - but who might be able to take him down in the Denman Chase? 

'You can't find too many faults in him' - who can take advantage of Sir Gino's absence in the Game Spirit? 

L'Eau Du Sud 'in great form' as he bids to maintain his flawless novice chase campaign under a penalty 

Harry Wilson identified three winners in his last column - find out his tips for every race on ITV4 on Saturday 

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