15:00 Newbury

Saturday 31 December 2022

All12:1012:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

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

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 5m 14.5s

Crambo⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien

7/1

Looked a good prospect when winning a pair of Huntingdon bumpers last season. Wasn't foot perfect but class got him through on hurdles debut at Ascot last month (19.3f) and he's sure to step up on that.

Form: 11-1

Hermes Allen^t⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 142| D

11/10

£350,000 4-y-o, Poliglote gelding. Successful on second of 2 starts in Irish points (Nov 2021) and confirmed himself an exciting prospect when outclassing the opposition from the front in maiden/Grade 2 during the autumn. Smart prospect and the one to beat.

Form: 31-11

Idalko Bihoue⁶⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

18/1

From the family of fairly useful hurdler/useful chaser (stayed 2¾m) Bagad Bihoue and finished alone on his sole start in Irish points. Easy winner in the mud at Worcester in October and can leave bare form behind.

Form: 1-1

Joyeux Machin^t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: P Nolan

4/1

Bumper winner who confirmed promise of his hurdles bow when landing 18-runner maiden at Fairyhouse (2m) a month ago. Strong at the finish on that occasion so this trip should be within range.

Form: 21P7-31

Kansas City Star²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: James Bowen| T: G Elliott

40/1

In top hands and placed twice in big-field maidens in Ireland in recent weeks. Has work to do with Joyeux Machin on their clash at Fairyhouse.

Form: 14-23

Kilbeg King⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Aidan Coleman| T: A J Honeyball

50/1

Irish point winner looked good prospect when making winning start under Rules in a Uttoxeter bumper in March 2021. Off the track for 20 months but expertly prepared to make a successful hurdles debut at Ffos Las in November. Should be more to come if he stands training.

Form: 211/1

Marble Sands³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien| OR: 129| D

25/1

Made the most of a good opportunity when a wide-margin winner on reappearance at Hereford in October and he defied a penalty with a bit to spare at Leicester a month later. Clearly in excellent order but dominating this field a totally different ask.

Form: 2322-11

Moka De Vassy³⁰⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Tom Cannon| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 123

100/1

Excelled himself when runner-up in Triumph trial at Cheltenham in January. Not at that level in the Adonis a month later and this is a tough return to action trying a new distance.

Form: 6325-

Passing Well⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: T J O'Brien| T: Jamie Snowden

33/1

Left Robert Tyner for £185,000 and he advanced his form when landing 12-runner maiden at Uttoxeter starting out for Jamie Snowden last month. Limit not yet reached.

Form: 6U2-1

Thomas Mor⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| D

16/1

Took 5 goes to get off the mark in points but looked an above-average staying prospect during the autumn, winning at Worcester and Wincanton. Probably didn't beat a lot but he's promising.

Form: 435-111

Vicki Vale⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

11/1

Half-sister to bumper winner Bari Breeze. Runner-up in Irish point and took superbly to hurdling when making all in taking fashion at Hereford last month. Well worth a go in this company.

Form: 2-1

You Wear It Well⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 125

16/1

Catterick bumper winner last season who has looked useful when winning 2m novice hurdles at Worcester and Hexham this autumn. Likely there's more to come from her up in trip.

Form: 21-11

Non-Runners

Accidental Rebel⁸⁵

Weight: 11-7| Age: 8

T: F O'Brien J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

Attacca²²

Weight: 11-7| Age: 4

T: N J Henderson J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Hermes Allen (11/10), Joyeux Machin (4/1), Crambo (7/1), Attacca (15/2), Vicki Vale (11/1), Accidental Rebel (14/1), You Wear It Well (16/1), Thomas Mor (16/1), Idalko Bihoue (18/1), Marble Sands (25/1), Passing Well (33/1), Kansas City Star (40/1), Kilbeg King (50/1), Moka De Vassy (100/1)

A big-field Challow chock-full of potential but HERMES ALLEN is still difficult to get away from. A £350,000 purchase from the pointing field, he looked smart when supplementing his maiden success in Grade 2 company at Cheltenham and can give Paul Nicholls a third straight win in this Grade 1 that usually throws up a very good one. Vicki Vale and Joyeux Machin head the opposition.