Talking Horses: the need for Authorised Speed in Tolworth Hurdle

Half the field lining up for the Grade One at Sandown on Saturday are defending unbeaten records over timber

It would be greedy to hope for a winner to match the exceptional Constitution Hill, who was successful 12 months ago, when eight runners line up for the Grade One Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday, but this year’s renewal makes much more appeal from the punters’ point of view, with half the field defending unbeaten records over timber.

Henry de Bromhead’s Arctic Bresil – like Constitution Hill, a son of the stallion Blue Bresil – is a rare and intriguing runner from Ireland in this contest, having beaten 21 opponents with ease on his Rules debut at Cork last month, while Tahmuras, unbeaten in two starts over hurdles, attempts to extend Paul Nicholls’s strong run of form after Hermes Allen’s win in the Grade One Challow Hurdle last weekend.