CORAL CHALLOW NOVICES' HURDLE - PREVIEW & TIPS
3:00 NEWBURY
CORAL CHALLOW NOVICES' HURDLE (GRADE 1) (GBB RACE)
A searching midwinter test for Britain’s leading staying novices.
CHALLOW NOVICES' HURDLE - PREVIEW
The Challow Novices’ Hurdle is one of the most established Grade 1 novice contests in the British calendar and has long served as a key late-December pointer for the spring festivals. Run over an extended 2m4f at Newbury, with ten hurdles to be jumped, it places the emphasis firmly on stamina, rhythm and jumping rather than raw speed. Past winners such as Denman, Bravemansgame, Champ and Stage Star underline the race’s reputation for identifying high-class novices capable of making the transition to chasing.
This year’s renewal is run on good to soft ground for a first prize of £56,950 and brings together a field of nine, headed by a short-priced but highly convincing favourite. As is often the case with the Challow, several runners arrive with limited experience but obvious potential, making it a race where proven Grade 2 form carries considerable weight.
CHALLOW NOVICES' HURDLE - RUNNER BY RUNNER GUIDE
ETNA BIANCO - 10/1
Progressed well from his Cheltenham debut to score at Ascot over a similar trip, shaping like a thorough stayer. He still needs a sizeable step forward on ratings, but he’s learning quickly and looks capable of running a solid race.
GIANTSGRAVE - 25/1
A bumper winner who failed to justify odds on hurdling debut, though that run should have brought him on. Improvement is likely, but this represents a major jump in class and he looks more of a longer-term project.
KALKBRENNER - 11/1
Showed useful form when winning on debut and then going close over course and distance last time. He’s better off at the weights with Klimt Madrik and should be competitive for minor honours if holding his level.
KLIMT MADRIK - 16/1
Edged out Kalkbrenner here last month but is now 6lbs worse off for that narrow success. He’s consistent and jumps well, but his overall profile suggests limited scope for further improvement.
MONTEMARES - 10/1
Unbeaten over hurdles and has done everything asked so far, albeit at a lower level. He’s unexposed and could improve again, but this asks a very different question in terms of depth and pace.
NO DRAMA THIS END - 8/13
The clear form standout, having produced two authoritative Grade 2 wins at Cheltenham and Sandown. Travels strongly, jumps accurately and has looked to have plenty in reserve, making him the one they all have to beat on everything we’ve seen so far.
STARZAND - 7/1
A wide-margin point winner and impressive on hurdles debut, showing a good attitude despite some inexperience. He has the profile of a horse who can improve markedly with racing and looks the most plausible threat to the favourite.
TIPTOPTIM - 25/1
Improved for stepping up in trip to win at Ludlow and still looked a little green despite scoring decisively. Further progress is likely, but this is a steep rise in class.
CHALLOW NOVICES' HURDLE - FINAL THOUGHTS
This looks a fairly typical Challow in that it pits one proven top-class novice against a group of largely unexposed rivals hoping to close the gap through improvement. On the evidence available, No Drama This End sets a clear standard. His Grade 2 wins have been achieved with authority rather than effort and the manner in which he sees out his races suggests this step up to an extended 2m4f should hold no fears.
Behind him, Starzand appeals most as the horse with the scope to make this interesting, while Kalkbrenner and Montemares look best of the rest for place purposes if they continue on their current trajectory. Ultimately, though, this race revolves around the favourite and if No Drama This End runs anywhere near his established level, he should be capable of giving Paul Nicholls yet another Challow success.