'It's a proper race' - Hermes Allen ready for Challow Hurdle challenge

Paul Nicholls believes Hermes Allen has the potential to follow the trajectory of King George star Bravemansgame as he bids for Grade 1 success in Saturday's Coral Challow Novices' Hurdle (3.00).

The five-year-old dazzled in Grade 2 company last month at Cheltenham with a nine-length victory when surprising Nicholls with his improvement from his debut win at Stratford.

However, a change in attitude since his last win has led Nicholls to believe Hermes Allen can come on again as he faces 13 rivals at Newbury.

"He schooled this morning and has been jumping brilliantly," Nicholls said on Thursday. "He seems to have improved mentally, he's just woken up a bit.

"Before we ran at Cheltenham and Stratford he hadn't shown much at home. He seems to have come on a bit and worked out what life is all about. He's done lots of work, is very fit and fresh, and we're very happy with him.

"He's still a novice and is just learning his job as he goes, but he's sharpened up and improved."

Nicholls bids for a record fifth Challow Hurdle success, having won it previously with the likes of Denman, Bravemansgame and Stage Star.

"It's a great race for us," Nicholls said. "Bravemansgame stepped on from winning that to the King George this season and took a Grade 1 last year as a novice. Hermes Allen could be the type of horse who can follow down that sort of route and I hope he could be a smart chaser next season."

Saturday's field of 14 is the largest this century for the Challow Hurdle and features two Irish runners including Joyeux Machin, who is trained by County Wexford trainer Paul Nolan.

Joyeux Machin: makes his first start outside Ireland for Paul NolanCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The dual winner will be partnered by Sean O'Keeffe, who will be looking to add to his tally of three winners in Britain, which includes Grade 1 success at the Cheltenham Festival.

While the bigger field yields fiercer opposition for Hermes Allen, Nicholls is eager to see how his newest star novice fares.

"It's a tough looking race and the ground will probably be quite a bit softer than it was for his last two runs, but he did run on soft in his point-to-points, so it's exciting," he said.

"It's a competitive, proper race, which is great for the course. Mid-season, right trip – that's probably why there are lots of runners. Hermes Allen is the highest rated so far but it's quite an open division, there are lots of nice horses and it's going to be a good race."

Also featuring on Saturday's card at Newbury is Jet Powered, Britain's leading hope for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The Nicky Henderson-trained five-year-old is due to make his second start this season in the Coral Racing Club Join For Free 'Introductory' Hurdle (12.40), where he will take on ten rivals.

Britain's leading Supreme hope Jet Powered set to run on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Jet Powered made a winning start over hurdles in November with an 11-length victory at Newbury, which propelled him to ante-post 6-1 second-favourite behind Facile Vega for the Cheltenham Festival opener.

Coral Challow Novices' Hurdle, Newbury, Saturday

Coral: 11-8 Hermes Allen, 13-2 Attacca, Joyeux Machin, 9 Vicki Vale, 12 Crambo, Marble Sands, 14 Passing Well, 16 bar

Challow Hurdle full runners and riders

Accidental RebelJonjo O'Neill Jr
AttaccaNico de Boinville
CramboPaddy Brennan
Hermes Allen Harry Cobden
Idalko Bihoue Sam Twiston-Davies
Joyeux MachinSean O'Keeffe
Kansas City StarJames Bowen
Kilbeg KingAidan Coleman
Marble SandsConnor Brace
Moka De VassyTom Cannon
Passing Well Tom O'Brien
Vicki Vale Harry Skelton
You Wear It Well Gavin Sheehan

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