A final 2022 treat as Hermes Allen headlines biggest Challow field this century

It can be easy to lose track of what day it is during the festive period but in the same week Bravemansgame fulfilled his huge potential in the King George, in-form trainer Paul Nicholls sends out yet another fledgling star in Newbury's Coral Challow Novices' Hurdle (3.00).

Old habits die hard and this Grade 1 has been a launchpad for many of the yard's biggest names, such as Gold Cup winner Denman, who completed what would become a characteristic demolition job when winning by 21 lengths in the rescheduled race at Cheltenham in 2006, and Bravemansgame, a winner by a comparatively nail-biting ten lengths two years ago.

Denman was a tough act to follow over fences for Bravemansgame but he has so far done more than a reasonable impression and the baton has been passed to Hermes Allen to prove it at the top level at Newbury. His trainer, who bids to move ahead of Jonjo O'Neill with a record fifth success in the race, hopes Hermes Allen can follow a similar trajectory to Bravemansgame and be a "smart chaser" next season.