Sussex-based trainer Gary Moore has confirmed that he intends to run both Sire de Grugy and Via Galilei in the valuable Betfair Trophy, the feature two-mile handicap hurdle formerly known as the Totesport Trophy, at Newbury on February 11, writes Elliot Slater.

Sire de Grugy, currently on offer at a top price of 14/1 in the horse racing betting for one of the biggest betting events of the month, won in Grade 2 company last term in the Dovecote Novices Hurdle at Kempton Park then again ran with plenty of credit when third to Topolski at the Aintree Festival some seven weeks later in the Grade 2 John Smith’s Top Novices’ Hurdle.

Not seen back on racecourse duty until mid-January, the son of Mr Risk would not have been suited by the heavy ground at Chesptow when finishing eighth to Cotillion, but the main object of the exercise was surely to give the six-year-old some match practice and close in on peak fitness ahead of his bid for the feature Newbury contest.

Moore’s other intended runner Via Galilei on the other hand has already had five starts so far this term, putting up notable performances without reaching the winners enclosure when runner-up to the useful Brampour in a listed hurdle at Ascot in October, finishing a creditable sixth to the same horse in the Grade 3 Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham the following month, failing by only a neck to catch Ubi Ace in a listed handicap hurdle at Sandown in December, then later that month finishing in mid-division behind Raya Star in the ultra-competitive Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle at Ascot.

Currently on offer for at 25/1 for the Betfred Hurdle, Via Galilei is highly fancied among racing betting tips after he was reported to be in fine shape by Moore, who believes that both his horses will go to Newbury with serious chances of hitting the frame if they get the run of the race.