December 31 / 15.00 Newbury

15.00

Good To Soft

Coral Challow Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £34170
  • 2m 4f 118y
  • Class 1
  • 14 runners
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Coral Challow Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Evs (Won)

  • Win: £2.10
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 11 D

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Bought by his connections for £350,000 after an Irish point win and he has enhanced his reputation with convincing hurdles victories at Stratford (2m6f) and Cheltenham (2m5f Grade 2; made all), both on good ground; could be anything, and he bids for a hat-trick in this event for Paul Nicholls.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

3rd Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 10y

Class 1

14:35 Sandown

Hermes Allen

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

raced in second, chased clear leader after 6th, not fluent 8th, still plenty to do 3 out, 13 lengths down when fell 2 out

11/10

2nd

2

26th Dec 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

13:20 Kempton

Hermes Allen

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Won 2m4f Grade 1 Challow Hurdle during last year's festive period; failed to justify favouritism at the spring festivals but had wind surgery prior to his successful chase debut at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) and that was impressive in many ways; unraced over this far under rules but with his pointing background he should stay well; still unexposed and held in the highest regard by a trainer who has won this five times.

13/8

1st

2

1st Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

13:50 Newbury

Hermes Allen

11st 4lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Below-par favourite in Grade 1 novice hurdles at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals but may well benefit from the subsequent wind surgery and he starts this campaign as a major prospect for novice chases; earlier progress culminated in an easy win in the Challow here (2m4f, soft; Grade 1) and that form has worked out well; point winner; leading player.

11/8

16/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 21-11

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Has been kept to the smaller tracks thus far but now looks well worth a go in these deeper waters after easy novice wins at Worcester (2m, good) and Hexham (2m, soft); bred to be suited by today's longer distance; yet another with a chance in a hot race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Warwick

You Wear It Well

11st 6lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Jamie Snowden

Below her best this season but has been running over fences and chasing doesn't appear to suit; won two Grade 2 mares' novice hurdles in early 2023 (2m4f/2m1f, good to soft/soft) and second in a mares' Grade 2 last January (3m, good); could bounce back with big run now reverting to hurdles.

5/1

1

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Warwick

You Wear It Well

11st 6lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Jamie Snowden

Below her best this season but has been running over fences and chasing doesn't appear to suit; won two Grade 2 mares' novice hurdles in early 2023 (2m4f/2m1f, good to soft/soft) and second in a mares' Grade 2 last January (3m, good); could bounce back with big run now reverting to hurdles.

5/1

4th

4

17th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 33y

Class 1

13:50 Windsor

You Wear It Well

10st 9lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

raced in last, mistake 5th, mistake and struggling 7th, jumped left 3 out, never dangerous

4/1

16/1

  • Place: £3.80

Form: 1 D

Last run: 65 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Possible to pick holes in his form but the manner of his maiden hurdle win at Worcester (2m4f, soft) was certainly impressive; he's in much deeper here but open to plenty of improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

14

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

15:15 Doncaster

Idalko Bihoue

10st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

in touch with leaders

10/1

8th

14

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

15:15 Doncaster

Idalko Bihoue

10st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

in touch with leaders

10/1

5th

1

30th Dec 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:30 Haydock

Idalko Bihoue

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

in touch with leaders, raced slightly wide back straight

3/1

Form: 6U-21 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Changed hands for £185,000 after finishing second of 21 in a bumper at Punchestown in the spring, and made a promising start for new connections when beating a Nicky Henderson-trained favourite in maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft; pair clear) last month; not to be underestimated, although Gavin Sheehan (on at Uttoxeter) rides stablemate You Wear It Well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

13

15th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Passing Well

10st 11lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Only 1-10 as a chaser but he's a consistent gelding who ran another solid race to finish third in the Eider, albeit about 20l behind the easy winner Knockanore; likely to give his running once more but looks vulnerable off just 1lb lower.

16/1

3rd

7

22nd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:10 Newcastle

Passing Well

11st 5lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

towards rear, headway on outer 19th, went fourth and no impression 3 out, left in third run-in

9/1

2nd

5

31st Jan 2025

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

14:45 Lingfield

Passing Well

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Acts on soft, below form sole start on heavy; won over these fences in November 2023; no joy since but career-best form this season and he stuck to his task very well with the first-time cheekpieces over the extended 3m1f at Wincanton on latest start; going beyond that now looks worth a go.

7/1

Form: 322-11 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Consistent in defeat last term; has landed the odds in novices at Hereford (2m3f, good) and Leicester (2m4f, good to soft) this season; likely to give his running again but he'll require a personal best to complete the hat-trick.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

30

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Marble Sands

10st 5lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Negotiated these fences safely in the 2m5f Topham one year ago, albeit fading into 12th; a strong-staying display to win at Cheltenham (near 3m4f, soft; 5lb higher today) in November hints at untapped potential over long distances.

50/1

Form: 1/1 D

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 7yo; has looked promising in winning a point, a bumper and a Ffos Las maiden hurdle (2m4f, soft), last-named in workmanlike style by nearly 5l; will need to improve on that form but it's certainly possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

2nd May 2024

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:35 Punchestown

Kilbeg King

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

prominent, not fluent 6th, pulled up quickly after 8th, looked to go wrong

20/1

11

2nd May 2024

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:35 Punchestown

Kilbeg King

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

prominent, not fluent 6th, pulled up quickly after 8th, looked to go wrong

20/1

6th

6

13th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Kilbeg King

11st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Creditable efforts in defeat in Graded novice chases this winter (3m, good/good to soft) and ran well for long way in 3m6f NH Chase at Cheltenham last month (heavy; beaten 32l); could be in the mix now back down in trip and back in a handicap, provided the removal of cheekpieces isn't an issue.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: -11121 D

Last run: 85 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
The oldest in the field; much improved since joining Fergal O'Brien this season, notching win number four in the Grade 2 Persian War at Chepstow (2m3f, good; first-time cheekpieces) in October; may be open to further progress but this is another step up in class and Paddy Brennan jumps ship.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

17th Aug 2024

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

17:35 Perth

Accidental Rebel

11st 5lb

J: Ben Smith

T: Leonard Kerr

towards rear

50/1

7th

2

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 4

16:15 Perth

Accidental Rebel

11st 7lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Leonard Kerr

in touch with leaders

50/1

12th

3

30th Jun 2024

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

14:00 Cartmel

Accidental Rebel

11st 12lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Leonard Kerr

Four hurdles wins on good in 2022 for Fergal O'Brien; back for new yard in April after 418 days off and latest start was a step back in the right direction; unraced beyond 2m5f but 7lb below his last winning mark.

25/1

Form: 2-11

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

18th Feb 2023

Good

2m 3f 58y

Class 2

13:20 Ascot

Attacca

11st 10lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Made all in useful Cheltenham novice (2m1f, good) in December and is now 2-2 over hurdles; ought to be suited by the longer trip here and a tilt at next month's Ballymore at Cheltenham could be on the agenda if all goes to plan today.

11/8

2

31st Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 1

15:00 Newbury

Attacca

11st 7lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

1st

1

9th Dec 2022

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 3

12:40 Cheltenham

Attacca

11st 6lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Justified favouritism with 1l success in novice hurdle at Kempton (2m, good to soft) last month, building on the promise of his sole bumper run; others have better form as things stand but he should have more to offer for top yard; an interesting prospect.

4/1

Form: 11-1

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Unbeaten in two bumpers and a novice hurdle, each time coming from rear to lead late on; value for more than his winning margin at Ascot (2m3f good to soft) six weeks ago, quickly sealing matters on the run-in; Paddy Brennan's pick of three stable runners; hard to pin down and not dismissed lightly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:00 Punchestown

Crambo

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

prominent, soon went second, outpaced after 2 out

9/1

7th

3

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:00 Punchestown

Crambo

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

prominent, soon went second, outpaced after 2 out

9/1

Form: 1P-731

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful in bumpers and he improved significantly on the form of his hurdle debut when winning a big-field maiden at Fairyhouse (2m, good to yielding) earlier this month; shapes as if he'll stay this longer trip; has already achieved more than most in this field and may take another step forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

14:35 Uttoxeter

Joyeux Machin

11st 1lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Appreciated eased in grade at Bangor (3m, good to soft) six weeks ago, winning readily by 10l; contests deeper race here but probably still on workable mark after 5lb rise, and quicker ground also suits.

9/2

1st

1

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 3

14:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Joyeux Machin

12st 2lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

Exposed ex-Irish gelding who has yet to score for Dan Skelton (0-10); however, he has been contesting stronger races and was going nicely in clear lead when falling six out in major handicap chase at Doncaster (3m, soft; fine on good) in January; his subsequent Ascot run needs forgiving but that was a Class 1 race.

5/2

9th

6

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Joyeux Machin

10st 7lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Record of 0-9 for current yard but he ran well over hurdles on this card last year; still going nicely in clear lead when falling six out in major handicap chase at Doncaster (3m, soft) most recently; shortlisted.

7/2

Form: 4-23

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point winner; 0-3 under rules and he was beaten 13l by Joyeux Machin at Fairyhouse four weeks ago; needs to improve markedly if he's to be competitive in this higher grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

22nd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

15:20 Newcastle

Kansas City Star

11st 6lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Harry Derham

led, not fluent 1st, headed and raced in second 4th, lost second and weakened before 4 out

6/1

12

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:50 Musselburgh

Kansas City Star

10st 8lb

J: James Bowen

T: Harry Derham

in touch with leaders on outer, not fluent 1st

16/1

12

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:50 Musselburgh

Kansas City Star

10st 8lb

J: James Bowen

T: Harry Derham

in touch with leaders on outer, not fluent 1st

16/1

Form: 6325-

Last run: 308 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Highly tried last season, best effort when beaten 9l in Grade 2 juvenile at Cheltenham (2m1f, good; 50-1); still low mileage and well up to winning races this term but he faces another stiff task on his reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

14th Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 3

15:15 Plumpton

Moka De Vassy

11st 12lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

prominent

12/1

9th

3

14th Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 3

15:15 Plumpton

Moka De Vassy

11st 12lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

prominent

12/1

5

21st Feb 2024

Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 3

14:35 Doncaster

Moka De Vassy

11st 11lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

in touch with leaders, jumped left 1st

7/1

Form: 11 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner who has added two novice hurdle victories this autumn, latter by 57l at Wincanton; hard to assess accurately but he's clearly a promising type; best efforts (and all three wins) on good ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

13

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Thomas Mor

11st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Fifth in 2023 Albert Bartlett here for David Pipe; finally built on that when second to Kitzbuhel in Kauto Star on Boxing Day (3m, good); needs to improve on that and an abscess meant he missed an engagement at Ascot 25 days ago.

50/1

15th

1

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Thomas Mor

12st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

650 days off before taking the Wincanton qualifier (3m1f, good to soft; 5lb higher today) in tidy style at Christmas, always prominent; chase debut one month later wasn't great but he's respected on the former run.

50/1

Form: 1 D

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
From a useful family and she has made an excellent start to her career, narrowly beaten in an Irish point before winning a big-field mares' maiden hurdle at Hereford (2m3f, good to soft) in a canter by 17l; meets some smart males today but she still needs taking seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 4

14:15 Fakenham

Vicki Vale

12st 0lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Deborah Cole

Dual hurdle winner when trained by Dan Sketon, but absent since her fourth at Ludlow (2m5f, good) for this stable in October 2024 and entitled to benefit from this outing.

20/1

2

29th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

13:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Vicki Vale

11st 8lb

J: Chris Ward

T: Deborah Cole

Dual hurdle winner for Dan Skelton, a yard she left after two quiet runs over fences; pulled up in that discipline on stable debut but showed a bit more spark back over hurdles at Ludlow; nothing wrong with her mark.

16/1

2

29th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

13:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Vicki Vale

11st 8lb

J: Chris Ward

T: Deborah Cole

Dual hurdle winner for Dan Skelton, a yard she left after two quiet runs over fences; pulled up in that discipline on stable debut but showed a bit more spark back over hurdles at Ludlow; nothing wrong with her mark.

16/1

Non-runners

Accidental Rebel, Attacca

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £20.20
Straight Forecast £20.58
Tricast £220.03
Trifecta £221.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Hermes Allen

The Guardian:

You Wear It Well

The Star:

Crambo

Daily Record:

Joyeux Machin

RP Ratings:

Hermes Allen

TOPSPEED:

Hermes Allen

POSTDATA:

Hermes Allen

WEST COUNTRY:

Hermes Allen

The Times:

Hermes Allen

Telegraph:

Hermes Allen

Daily Mail:

Hermes Allen

D Express:

Hermes Allen

Daily Mirror:

Hermes Allen

The Sun:

Hermes Allen