Hi all,
The long weekend of top-class Christmas racing comes to an end with two further Grade 1s: the December Hurdle (2:32) at Leopardstown and the Challow Hurdle (3:00) at Newbury.
ITV Racing will cover four races from Newbury, two from Doncaster, one from Kelso, plus the December Hurdle from Leopardstown.
Here’s my look at the best of the action on Challow Hurdle Day.
Newbury
1:15 – Handicap Chase (Class 3) – 2m½f
Not on ITV, but an interesting six-runner handicap chase. Dual C&D winner Rath Gaul Hill would have been expected to perform better when well behind Ryan’s Rocket over C&D on his seasonal return. First-time cheekpieces go on and, if they have the desired effect, he could be more competitive.
However, the one to beat is Jorebel, who made it 2 from 2 over fences when an easy winner at Plumpton 28 days ago. He’s up 10lb and steps up in class, but he’s effective on a sound surface and remains open to further progression over fences.
1:50 – Coral Mandarin Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 3m2f
King’s Threshold, a course winner over 3m in the spring, ran to form when an 8¾-length fourth here over 2m6½f last month. Stamina for this longer trip remains to be proven and you’d like to see the yard in better form.
Rivers Corner is the form pick after finishing third to O’Connell in the London National at Sandown 23 days ago. The drop back in trip is a concern and the yard isn’t firing as it was earlier in the month.
Annual Invictus made all to win the Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase at Doncaster in January and finished a neck second in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown in April. He needed the run when 13th of 24 in the Coral Gold Cup over C&D on his return and is another well treated on his best form, but he does need decent ground.
2:22 – Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) – 2m4½f
Scorpio Rising made it 2 from 3 over hurdles when winning on handicap debut at Lingfield last month. He’s up 8lb and that race looked weak, but the 5yo is going the right way and capable of better.
Doctor’s Hill improved when a 2½-length third on handicap debut at Wincanton 25 days ago. He looked in need of a stamina test there, so this step up in trip should suit. Just 1lb higher and there’s a handicap to be won with him.
Andashan ran to form when runner-up at Haydock last month and today’s extra furlong should suit. He has solid claims of going one place better.
Peacenik dictated from the front when winning at Doncaster 17 days ago. He may not get the same set-up here, but he’s in form. Remains on a competitive mark despite a 5lb rise.
I’m A Lumberjack was well backed on handicap debut when fifth here last month. He was still in contention at the last before fading on the run-in and may not have stayed three miles. Dropped in trip with a first-time hood, he looks fairly treated.
3:00 – Coral Challow Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m4½f
No Drama This End has looked a smart novice, winning both starts including the Grade 2 Winter Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown last time. He remains open to further improvement and, while this is the quickest ground he’s encountered, it’s hard to see him not giving Paul Nicholls a seventh win in the race.
Kalkbrenner looks the main danger. He won on return at Ffos Las and was narrowly denied under a penalty over C&D last month. He’s open to further improvement and is 6lb better off with Klimt Madrik. While that rival is also progressive, Kalkbrenner can reverse the placings.
3:35 – Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Class 3) – 2m6½f
Newton Tornado bounced back from a fall on chase debut to win a heavy-ground handicap at Bangor last time. An 8lb rise looks workable and he’s a progressive young staying handicap chaser.
Guard The Moon jumped well when winning on chase debut at Aintree 23 days ago. He’s up 7lb but capable of better over fences.
Captain Bellamy probably needed the run when beaten here last month. He should improve for the step up in trip and is on a workable mark for a yard that won this race last year.
Calimystic may need the run, but he’s fairly treated on last season’s best hurdles form on chase debut.
I would normally look back at the weekend’s action on Monday. Instead, I’ll reflect on my weekend highlights in Tuesday and Wednesday’s column’s.
Good luck with your Monday bets.
John