Betway Challow Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 5m 10.40s

Brewin'upastorm²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: R Johnson| T: O Murphy

9/2

Point-to-point and bumper winner was a well backed favourite on hurdles debut at Huntingdon and duly obliged when powering clear over 2m. Clearly a smart prospect and longer trip here can only be a plus so merits maximum respect.

Form: 1/14-1

Champ²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: B J Geraghty| T: N J Henderson| OR: 150| CD

1/1

Three from four over hurdles and only defeat by a neck to Vinndication whose career record is six from six including Grade Two. Not tested in three wins since that including C&D handicap latest and looks the one they all have to beat.

Form: 12/2-111

Coolanly⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 143| D

16/1

Off the mark at the fifth time of asking over hurdles latest when winning a Cheltenham Grade Two in taking fashion. Worth another go at Grade One company now (twice previously unplaced) and represents last year's winning connections.

Form: 1205-F1

Getaway Trump²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 138| D

10/1

Improving sort won back-to back starts by 5L at Plumpton and Exeter, the most recent under a penalty. Top yard won this twice before, most recently with all-time great Denman and are in unbelievable form so has to be given a big chance.

Form: 146-411

Kateson²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: T Scudamore| T: T Lacey| OR: 141| CD

9/2

Grade Two placed bumper performer is two-from-two over hurdles following up a Chepstow maiden win with a C&D success latest under a penalty with plenty in hand. More to come from him now upped in class and can't be ruled out.

Form: 2722-11

Nestor Park³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: B Pauling| D

28/1

Useful bumper performer pitched in at the deep end first time over hurdles and struggled at Cheltenham but won easily next in a weaker contest at Warwick. Held in high regard by trainer who won this in 2015 so has to be respected.

Form: 2150-61

Alsa Mix^h²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 137

12/1

Unbeaten mare successful in a point-to-point, bumper and two hurdles, the most recent of them a Sandown Grade Two. Several principle didn't perform latest leading to some knocking the form but could only beat what was there and genuine chance again.

Form: 1-111

Forecasts

Champ (1/1), Kateson (9/2), Brewin'upastorm (9/2), Getaway Trump (10/1), Alsa Mix (12/1), Coolanly (16/1), Nestor Park (28/1)

A race with a rich history this and all seven of these look horses with bright futures in the game. The vote goes to Paul Nicholls GETAWAY TRUMP who has won impressively the last twice and anything hailing from the 10-time champion trainer's Ditcheat yard at present has to be feared given his quite incredible run of form. Nicky Henderson also knows what it takes to win this and his Champ is certainly a leading contender having only been beaten once and that by a top-drawer horse so far over hurdles. Also high on the shortlist is unbeaten mare Alsa Mix for the 2016 winning trainer Alan King.