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One trainer, one jockey, one horse and one race for Tuesday's exciting action

One trainer

Evan Williams has a chance to snare another big prize this festive period when Star Gate faces five rivals in the MansionBet Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury (3.15).

The Williams-trained Silver Streak provided one of the shocks of the season to get the better of red-hot favourite Epatante in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Star Gate is unbeaten in two starts for Williams and looks to follow up his impressive Grade 2 success at Sandown earlier this month now stepped up to top-level company.

Star Gate: can he be another Grade winner for Evan Williams?
Star Gate: can he be another Grade winner for Evan Williams?Credit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

The race itself will be informative, with talented types including Bravemansgame, The Glancing Queen and Does He Know also in the line-up.

One jockey

Mark Walsh came in for criticism last time he rode Saint Roi, many feeling his tactics had cost a chance of victory in the Morgiana.

Abacadabras was the winner on that occasion and Walsh will surely have an extra dose of motivation to right any wrongs from Fairyhouse when the pair square up in the Matheson Hurdle (2.25).

Mark Walsh celebrates victory in the Galway Plate
Mark Walsh: will be keen to go one better on Saint Roi this timeCredit: Patrick McCann

Despite finishing second best last time, Saint Roi is preferred in the market as the general 7-4 favourite.

One horse

Monkfish has the chance to take another major step forward when he tackles five rivals in the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Novice Chase (1.50).

A winner of his last four starts, last season's Albert Bartlett winner made a perfect start to his chasing career at Fairyhouse last month and is already a general 11-4 favourite for the race formerly known as the RSA Chase in March.

Monkfish and Paul Townend put in a clean jump at the last before winning the 2m5f beginners' chase
Monkfish: superb on his first chase start at FairyhouseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

He got the better of Latest Exhibition only narrowly when the pair met at the festival, so it will be interesting to see how they measure up in their first clash over fences.

One race

The Challow looks a cracker but the Matheson Hurdle is without question the race of the day.

The rematch between Saint Roi and Abacadabras will occupy the lion's share of attention, but the presence of WKD winner Aspire Tower, Champion Hurdle second Sharjah and the long-absent Saldier adds depth to the contest.

The Matheson is one of the most cherished prizes in Irish racing and will serve as a significant indicator for big spring prizes in the two-mile hurdle division in Ireland and Britain.


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Racing Post Reporter

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