Cheltenham December sale topper Gallyhill to make hurdles debut at Newbury

The 2019 Tattersalls Cheltenham December sale topper Gallyhill will make his eagerly anticipated debut for Nicky Henderson in the two-mile novice hurdle at Newbury on Wednesday.

The son of Getaway - who was an easy winner of his sole point-to-point for Jamie Sloan at Kirkistown in November 2019 - was snapped up by Henrietta Knight for Michael Grech at an eye-watering £450,000, beating the exciting Sir Gerhard to the top spot.

Gallyhill is the fifth foal out of the Xaar mare Tanit and a half-brother to Nortonthorpelegend, an eight-time winning chaser for Rebecca Menzies. The six-year-old is also a full-sibling to the Fergal O'Brien-trained Avoid De Master, the winner of a handicap hurdle at Leicester in November.

Gallyhill: easily won his sole point-to-pointCredit: Healy Racing

The Gordon Elliott-trained Sir Gerhard, who runs in the Cheveley Park silks, was a 12-length winner of his only point and has since won two bumpers with ease, including a Listed contest at Navan last month.

Among Gallyhill's 16 rivals include the Emma Lavelle-trained Hoi Polloi, a €120,000 purchase from Goffs Land Rover Sale in 2018 and second on his hurdles debut at Hereford in November, plus Danehill Kodiac, a Group 3 winner on the Flat and twice-raced over hurdles.

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