With more rain to come, the ground at Newbury tomorrow is going to be really testing for the William Hill Handicap Hurdle (3.20 p.m.). That will make the result more of a lottery because several of the horses at the top of the market would not ideally want it looking like a bog.

Those preferring a sounder surface may include my long-term tip for the race, Dance and Glance, put up each way at 20-1. He does have form on soft ground but Newbury ‘heavy’ is a different kettle of fish altogether.

Hot Fuss did this column a good turn, winning at a double-figure price at Windsor three weeks ago and he is capable of defying a 5 lbs penalty tomorrow. However, this is a more competitive race off his higher mark and, on balance, odds of around 10-1 are not big enough for me to stay loyal to him.

At tastier prices, I would rather have a second bet on trainer Jamie Snowden’s MILLDAM, an out-and-out mudlark who ran well enough behind Hot Fuss at Windsor and is much better off at the revised weights, including the 5 lbs claim of jockey Isabelle Ryder.

There are dangers aplenty in this 16-runner field over two miles

The horse won no less than three times on ‘heavy’ in the 2023-4 season and he will be staying on when other rivals have cried enough. The more of the wet stuff, the better his chances. Back Milldam 1 point each way at 18-1 with bet365, paying five places.

There are dangers aplenty in this........

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