RUNAWAY Ascot winner Not So Sleepy is one of 24 runners declared for the Betfair Hurdle on Saturday.
Trainer Hughie Morrison had said earlier in the week that “everything needs to be right” for the Champion Hurdle hopeful to run.
But he was given the green light on Thursday morning, and victory on Saturday would earn connections a 100k bonus following his victory in the Betfair Exchange Trophy in December.
Gumball heads the weights for Philip Hobbs, who also saddles Oakley and Zanzaas he chases his first win in the lucrative handicap.
Nicky Henderson has won the Betfair five times and relies on Never Adapt and Mill Green.
Nigel Twiston-Davies is another trainer who has a good record in the race, and he runs both Stolen Silver and Sir Valentine.
Mack The Man has been well-backed in recent days and has been declared by Evan Williams alongside his stablemate Quoi De Neuf.
Paul Nicholls runs Pic D’orhy, Ecco and Tamaroc Du Mathan, Willie Mullins will be represented by Ciel De Neige and while Thebannerkingrebel will try to crown Jamie Snowden’s career-best season.
Betfair’s Barry Orr said: “It looks like a full complement of 24 going to post and its great to see that Not So Sleepy will take aim at the 100k Betfair winter Bonus on offer.
“Although he has been joined at the head of the betting by Mack The Man, who has been well-backed with us in recent days.
“We have also seen good support of Thebannerkingrebel and Never Adapt, so its as competitive as ever with the Betfair Sportsbook paying 6 places to each punters.”
