December 30 / 15.00 Newbury

15.00

Good To Soft

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

  • Prize money: £48407.5
  • 2m 4f 118y
  • Class 1
  • 9 runners
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Coral Challow Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 13-12 BF

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Good third in last season's Champion Bumper (soft); has Grade 2 form over hurdles, winning well at Chepstow (2m3f Persian War) then second at Cheltenham (2m5f) where his jumping was more fluent; top on ratings and his trainer has won this race for the last three years; strong claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Captain Teague

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Has perhaps needed his two runs since a lengthy layoff, sixth to Fiercely Proud at Ascot latest; may be ready to hit top form and accordingly looks interesting off current mark when considering his back class (Grade 1 novice winner over 2m4f in December 2023).

20/1

6th

3

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

14:25 Ascot

Captain Teague

11st 9lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Seemed to need latest run when back from a lengthy layoff; interesting off current mark assuming he's still capable of peak form, which includes a success in the 2023 Challow on soft ground.

5/1

2

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Windsor

Captain Teague

11st 9lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Absent since finishing lame at Newbury in November 2024, truncating a novice chase campaign; smart previously and has Grade 1 form, including a success in the Challow (2m4f, soft) as a novice hurdler; 2-4 in this sphere; on a workable mark provided he retains ability.

14/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 6-1112 C

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
0-3 switched to hurdles last term but has done well this season, producing form figures of 1112, most recently second in major handicap at Cheltenham (2m, soft); made all in Grade 2 over that C&D the time before; place possibilities on form, provided he's as effective back up to 2m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Lookaway

12st 0lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Landed the bumper on this card in 2022; justified market support in major handicap at Kempton (good to soft; first attempt at 3m under rules) most recently, taking chase record to 3-5 and overall strike-rate to 9-20; remains particularly unexposed over this sort of distance and commands respect returned to Aintree, with further progress plausible.

13/2

1st

6

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Lookaway

11st 2lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

A front-runner and not the only one; however, he was a Grade 2-winning hurdler and very much heading the right way over fences, as his third at Newbury (2m, good to soft) has worked out well and he then won by 24l over 2m4f here last month (left clear two out) despite being taken on by Leader In The Park; looks well in off only 4lb higher and, although unraced over this far, he's always looked a strong stayer at 2m4f.

10/1

16/1

  • Place: £3.90

Form: 21-11 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Latest win (2m4f, heavy) brought up a Ffos Las hat-trick and took his record to 4-5; well down this pack on form and faces much sterner opposition than previously but his limitations are not yet exposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

The Jukebox Man

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Cruelly caught in the final strides in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle here (3m, heavy) in March 2024; 2-2 in novice chases last season (including Grade 1) and, after missing last year's Festival due to injury, he made it 2-2 this term and 4-4 over fences when winning the King George (3m, good) in December, narrowly in a breathtaking four-way finish (Gaelic Warrior third, Jango Baie fourth); the way he rallied to edge back in front at Kempton provides optimism regarding today's stiffer test and he's a key player.

7/2

Form: 1-1 D

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Very promising type who has easily justified favouritism in all three runs (point/bumper/hurdle on soft/heavy); had much more in hand than the 2l margin suggests at Carlisle (2m4f) most recently and looks a smart prospect, one with Graded potential; highly interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

33

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Johnnywho

10st 4lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Fine over these fences in November; laboured from before three out when a well-beaten fifth to Haiti Couleurs in Irish National last April; that was in the mud, though, and his top efforts have been on good to soft; they include his neck second in the 3m2f Kim Muir at Cheltenham last March and, equipped with first-time cheekpieces after wind surgery, a 3m1f win from Jagwar at this year's Festival; able to race here off the same mark as last time (due to go up 6lb) and he wasn't stopping in either of those big races at Cheltenham; seriously considered.

12/1

1st

7

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Johnnywho

11st 3lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Neck second in the Kim Muir here (3m2f, good to soft) 12 months ago; promise in defeat on his first two runs this season; not quite at the top of his game at Haydock last time but wind op since and cheekpieces are added; remains one to be interested in, especially given his Festival form.

11/1

5th

2

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 1

14:00 Haydock

Johnnywho

11st 1lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Beaten just a neck in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival (3m2f, good to soft) last March and finished strongly for close third in the Silver Cup at Ascot (3m, good to soft) last month; every chance he'll be bang there.

3/1

12/1

Form: 327-12 BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Seems to handle soft ground; consistent in bumpers and has remained in good form since switched to hurdles, winning at Chepstow (2m3f) then very close second over C&D; could go well again, given his record to date.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:43 Ayr

Masaccio

12st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Flat-bred gelding who hasn't convinced on two previous attempts at 3m, the latest a Grade 1 novice at Kempton in December; however, he rallied for third at Cheltenham (nearly 2m5f, soft) in January and kept on well when filling the same position in the Plate at the Festival (extended 2m4f, good to soft); worth another go at this trip and could have a part to play.

3/1

1st

1

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:43 Ayr

Masaccio

12st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

in touch with leaders

3/1

3rd

9

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Masaccio

11st 1lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Found immediate improvement for the switch to fences when winning on chase debut at Newbury (2m4f, good) in November; useful, persevering efforts in two good 2m4f races since, on that track and when third to Jagwar in a well-contested C&D handicap, and a truly run race kept to this trip will suit; has win possibilities if fitting cheekpieces brisks him up.

7/1

Form: 119-46

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dual bumper winner but form dipped sharply on final attempt in that sphere; soundly beaten in two races over hurdles (1m7f Grade 2 latest) and faces a very stiff task upped further in class.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

11th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 1

15:15 Chepstow

Bullets Hill

11st 0lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Ella Pickard

in touch with leaders, prominent 4th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off

50/1

6th

3

6th Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

15:43 Uttoxeter

Bullets Hill

11st 13lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Ella Pickard

Made all to win novice handicaps at Exeter (2m2f, good) and Ffos Las in April (2m, good); pulled up after early error on chase debut at Ffos Las last time; up 14lb (raised 7lb for each win); could go well but may find others better treated.

5/1

4

7th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:05 Ffos Las

Bullets Hill

11st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Ella Pickard

midfield, jumped badly right 1st, soon in rear, pushed along after 2nd, reminders after 4th, lost touch and pulled up after 7th

7/4

OUR TIP

Form: 1-11

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
3-3 under rules, most recently making all and driven out at Ascot (2m5f, good; acts on softer); open to further progress and may put up a bold show, for all that Harry Cobden prefers stablemate Captain Teague.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

17th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

19:01 Uttoxeter

Farnoge

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Disappointed in both chases during very light campaign last season but looked very promising as a novice hurdler (including on good ground) during the 2023-24 campaign and it will be interesting to see whether he can get his career back on track now back over hurdles after a break.

6/1

5

17th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

19:01 Uttoxeter

Farnoge

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Disappointed in both chases during very light campaign last season but looked very promising as a novice hurdler (including on good ground) during the 2023-24 campaign and it will be interesting to see whether he can get his career back on track now back over hurdles after a break.

6/1

3rd

3

28th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 25y

Class 3

12:15 Leicester

Farnoge

11st 4lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

led narrowly or disputed lead, not fluent 6th, not fluent 7th, raced in second before 4 out, weakened before 3 out, soon tailed off

9/4

Form: 11-1 C

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Highly promising son of Blue Bresil, the sire of Constitution Hill; impressive in novice hurdle here (2m, good to soft) last month on debut for Nicky Henderson, adding to his point/bumper wins and looking a Graded horse in the making; likely to be as effective over this longer distance; withdrawn from a Sandown race this month due to heavy ground; remains unbeaten and commands major respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

14:40 Chepstow

Willmount

10st 6lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Rebecca Curtis

Did not fulfill his potential over hurdles for Nicky Henderson but, following a layoff, positives can be drawn from both chase runs for new stable this season; ran well until weakening into third here (2m7f, good to soft) in December and should benefit from this drop back in trip.

6/1

2

28th Oct 2025

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 3

15:28 Ffos Las

Willmount

12st 0lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Rebecca Curtis

Impressed on hurdling debut for Nicky Henderson in November 2023 but completed only one of three subsequent hurdling starts, when fifth of eight in Kempton handicap (2m, good to soft) in December; changed hands for £22,000 in May and it's hard to know what to expect from him on stable/chase debut.

9/1

2

28th Oct 2025

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 3

15:28 Ffos Las

Willmount

12st 0lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Rebecca Curtis

Impressed on hurdling debut for Nicky Henderson in November 2023 but completed only one of three subsequent hurdling starts, when fifth of eight in Kempton handicap (2m, good to soft) in December; changed hands for £22,000 in May and it's hard to know what to expect from him on stable/chase debut.

9/1

Form: 46-402

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Five-race maiden who is stablemate of Willmount; outran her 50-1 odds in mares' Listed event here (2m, good to soft; close second) most recently; bred to stay this new trip but faces a much tougher assignment.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

7th Sep 2025

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 4

15:42 Fontwell

Brave Jen

11st 5lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: Cynthia Woods

Won twice for Tom Ellis (2m1f/2m) towards end of last year but suffered 28l defeats on both starts for new stable in February/March (2m/2m4f) and returns from six-month break with quite a bit to prove.

25/1

5th

4

10th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 4

17:00 Plumpton

Brave Jen

11st 9lb

J: Mr Jack Andrews

T: Cynthia Woods

Won maiden hurdle at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) and a handicap at Market Rasen (2m, soft) when with Tom Ellis; subsequently changed hands for £5,000; well below that form when last of eight at Huntingdon last month on stable debut (2m, good to soft); more needed.

25/1

8th

5

6th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

14:55 Huntingdon

Brave Jen

11st 9lb

J: Mr Jack Andrews

T: Cynthia Woods

raced in third

7/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.30
Straight Forecast £13.13
Tricast £166.72
Trifecta £99.40

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Captain Teague

TOPSPEED:

Lookaway

LAMBOURN:

Willmount

SPOTLIGHT:

Johnnywho

The Times:

Willmount

D Express:

Willmount

WEST COUNTRY:

Captain Teague

The Guardian:

Captain Teague

Daily Mail:

Captain Teague

Daily Mirror:

Captain Teague

The Sun:

Captain Teague

POSTDATA:

Lookaway

The Star:

Lookaway

Daily Record:

Lookaway

Telegraph:

Johnnywho