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

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 5m 3.50s

Bill Joyce²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 136

9/2

£225,000 point recruit who won his first 2 bumpers. Found the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham too much but he outclassed 7 opponents with a striking success at Carlisle and also dominated a Grade 2 at Sandown 3 weeks ago. Limit not yet reached.

Form: 1/110-11

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Electric Mason²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Rex Dingle| T: C Gordon| OR: 127

40/1

Point recruit who opened his account in bumpers at Kempton in February. Off the mark over hurdles at the second attempt at Fontwell and better form upped in class when third over C&D. Has work to do with The New Lion.

Form: 120-213

First Confession³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 126

14/1

Bought for £140,000 after winning sole outing in points and made a highly-encouraging hurdling debut when third in 8-runner novice at Cheltenham (19.9f). Still green when landing the odds at Ascot a month ago and he has plenty of long-term potential.

Form: 1-31

It's Hard To Know²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 124| D

14/1

Won sole start in Irish points (Feb 2024) and justified support to make a winning hurdles debut in novice at Lingfield (19.5f) 23 days ago, jumping fluently on the whole and finding extra. Again looked a straightforward sort when following up under a penalty at Market Rasen.

Form: 1-11

Regent's Stroll²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| C

5/4

Won both bumpers last season, looking a very promising sort for hurdles when seeing off 19 rivals in a valuable event here for second win. £660,000 purchase for new owners after and he overcame a bad error when landing the odds on hurdles debut here (2m) a month ago. Lots more to come.

Form: 11-1

The New Lion²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 136| CD

9/4

Bred to stay well but showed no shortage of speed when winning a Market Rasen bumper on debut in April. Scored at first time of asking in this sphere at Chepstow (19.4f) in October and maintained unblemished record in a C&D novice a month ago. Looks smart.

Form: 1-11

Wendigo⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 127| D

25/1

£70,000 recruit from the Irish pointing field who built on his Worcester debut third when winning brace of bumpers a year ago. Landed the odds on second hurdles start at Ludlow but this a different ask.

Form: 1311-21

Forecasts

Regent's Stroll (5/4), The New Lion (9/4), Bill Joyce (9/2), It's Hard To Know (14/1), First Confession (14/1), Wendigo (25/1), Electric Mason (40/1)

The best of the early-season British novices clash in what should be a most-informative Challow Hurdle. Marginal preference is for THE NEW LION, who looked all quality when winning a C&D novice a month ago. Bill Joyce will get further in time but he remains of serious interest over any trip given his ability, with the highly-regarded Regent's Stroll a serious player, too.