The feature race on Saturday’s Newbury card is the Grade 1 Challow Novices’ Hurdle, a race that has kicked off the careers of some major stars over the years, including:
- Champ (2018)
- Thyme Hill (2019)
- Bravemansgame (2020)
- Stage Star (2021)
- Hermes Allen (2022)
Nine runners line up for this year’s renewal, with Nicky Henderson’s unbeaten 5YO Willmount currently heading the betting. The likes of Captain Teague and Johnnywho look set to give him most to think about though, and in what looks a fairly open race, cases can be made for the majority of runners.
GG editor Tom Aldridge gives his thoughts on the nine-runner field, before adding his expert verdict on who he’ll be siding with.
Last year’s renewal saw Paul Nicholls win his third successive Challow Novices’ Hurdle, as HERMES ALLEN ran out an easy winner over You Wear It Well (2nd) and Idalko Bihoue (3rd):
Key Race Trends
- 9 of the last 10 winners won last time out.
- 9 of the last 10 winners were aged 5 or 6.
- 8 of the last 10 winners had a rating of 139+.
- 7 of the last 10 winners were sent off as favourite, including each of the last six.
- Paul Nicholls is the leading trainer in the race, with five wins, including each of the last three renewals.
Runner-By-Runner Guide
WILLMOUNT
(Nicky Henderson/Nico De Boinville)
Nicky Henderson’s unbeaten 5YO could hardly have been more impressive when making a winning hurdles debut at Newbury last month, winning as he liked and never really needing to be asked for a serious effort. The form of the race is a bit dubious, but there have been a couple of winners come out of the race since and a couple of others have gone close too. That was over a shorter trip than he will face in here but if anything, the step up in trip should see him to better effect and both his trainer and owner are confident they have a star on their hands. After his victory on hurdles debut, Nicky Henderson stated “He was in a different gear and I’ve got to say, a different league!” whilst his owner Olly Harris believes Willmount is “probably the best horse I’ve had”. He looks to have plenty in his favour here and he is certainly the one to beat.
CAPTAIN TEAGUE
(Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden)
The first choice of the Nicholls yard who have won the last three renewals and looks to be the chief hope of giving his trainer another win in the race. Captain Teague finished third in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham back in March and ran out an easy winner on hurdles debut in the Grade 2 Persian War Novices’ Hurdle at Chepstow in October. However, the form of that race hasn’t worked out all that well and in truth it wasn’t exactly the strongest Grade 2 we’ll see this season. He has since failed to win when odds-on in the Grade 2 Hyde Novices’ Hurdle and I think he might be found out by some of the more speedier types in here. He looks like he needs to step up in trip to be seen to best effect, and with some serious pace angles in here, I think he might fail to go with them in the final stages.
JOHNNYWHO
(Jonjo O’Neill/Jonjo O’Neill Jr)
Jonjo O’Neill’s 6YO remains unbeaten in his career after an impressive victory on hurdles debut last month, and comes into this race with every chance. The form of that race hasn’t worked out all that well, but he could only beat what was in front of him that day and he couldn’t have done it any easier really. It is worth noting that both the runner-up and third home that day were giving Johnnywho 4lb and 7lb respectively, and he won’t be receiving weight from any rivals in here. At the odds, I think he’s worth leaving, as I think there are plenty of other high class rivals in here who can put an end to his unbeaten run.
LOOKAWAY
(Neil King/Jack Quinlan)
The most experienced of these rivals, with seven runs over hurdles, Neil King’s 6YO has certainly improved from last season and looks a different horse to the one who was well beaten in his three hurdles races last season. Resumed with a couple of easy wins in May, before an impressive victory in the Grade 2 Sharp Novices’ Hurdle. Followed that up with another excellent effort in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle, when finishing runner-up behind Iberico Lord. The form of that took a boost when the third-placed Luccia won a Premier Handicap at Ascot last week, and he could have a big say in proceedings here if things go his way. He may have a battle on his hands for the lead early on, with Farnoge also set to employ front-running tactics, but I certainly wouldn’t rule him out.
Rest Of The Field
Farnoge – Has made all to win both hurdles races to date, although the form of those races hasn’t worked out all that well. Harry Cobden has chosen to ride Captain Teague, but Byrony Frost is an ideal replacement for front-running tactics, and if he’s given a soft lead he’s certainly in with a chance.
Massacio – Won on hurdles debut before finishing a nose second over C&D, in the same race that both Bravemansgame and Stage Star raced in prior to winning this race. Trainer won the race in 2016 with Messire Des Obeaux, so knows what kind of horse it takes to win this. Another in with a chance and looks a lively E/W option.
The Jukebox Man – Has only tasted defeat once in his career, when chasing home Gidleigh Park in a bumper. That one has franked the form by winning both hurdles races since, and Fergal O’Brien’s runner has also won both of his hurdles races too, eased down to win in impressive fashion. A lively outsider who could easily outrun his odds, particularly if the ground has some give in it.
Brave Jen – Still seeking her first win, although she did go close in a listed mares race last time out. This is a big step up in class though, and with mares not having a good record in the race, she looks one to avoid.
Bullets Hill – Outsider of the field and deservedly so, having been beaten comofortably in both hurdles races to date. Did contest a Grade 2 last time out, but was well beaten by Kamsinas, who had previously finished behind Lookaway. Hard to make a case for him and he’s another to avoid.
Big-Race Verdict
Paul Nicholls is the leading trainer in the race and has won the last three renewals, but I think his winning run will come to an end this year. I’m not convinced by Captain Teague, and I feel Farnoge won’t get the easy lead out in front that he will need to be seen to best effort, so I’m willing to take both of them on. It’s hard to forget the impressive manner that WILLMOUNT won on hurdles debut and I’m confident the step up in trip will see him to even better effect, so I have to side with him in this. At bigger prices, I would’ve liked The Jukebox Man if the ground was soft or worse, but with the forecast looking promising I don’t think it will be soft enough for him. I do think Lookaway could be a danger if he can dictate things in front, but I think Massacio could be a bigger threat, having gone close in a race that has produced the winner of this race twice in the last three years
- Willmount (13/8 generally)
- Masaccio (12/1 generally)
- Lookaway (15/2 William Hill, 13/2 generally)
*Odds Correct At Time Of Writing – 9.46am Friday 29th December*
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