Hobson hoping Rose blooms but testing conditions a concern for some

3.00 Newbury
Betfred Challow Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) | 4yo+ | 2m4½f | ITV4/RUK

Heavy ground at Newbury for the final Grade 1 of the year might not make for the prettiest of viewing, but as the clock ticks down to 2018 those involved in the Betfred Challow Novices' Hurdle will be hoping it acts as a springboard to success for their contenders, just as it did for subsequent Grand National winner Bindaree and the mighty Denman.

They are the standout names on the roll of honour for a contest that headlines ITV4's coverage on Saturday, which also includes the Betfred Mandarin Handicap Chase and two races from Haydock, a track that might rival Newbury in the 'This Will Take Some Getting Stakes'.

Conditions at Taunton may be a little kinder, as they will be on the all-weather at Lingfield, while Daddys Lil Darling, who spooked before the Oaks thanks to a typically British June thunderstorm, can expect temperatures of 25C when she lines up in the American Oaks at Santa Anita.

After two four-day festival meetings, Ireland takes a break from racing on Saturday, but there is little time to catch breath – or indeed sunbathe –l as Punchestown stages a meeting on Sunday at which Killultagh Vic makes his eagerly awaited return to action over hurdles after 714 days off the track.

Vent bids to breeze in for Snowden

Last season's Champion Bumper sixth Dans Le Vent began this term as Jamie Snowden's big hope and the trainer – seeking a breakthrough Grade 1 success – sees few negatives in the Challow for his representative, a six-length winner at Market Rasen last month.

"He's in terrific shape – great order," said Snowden. "He's progressed all the way through the season and was a good second to Slate House at Cheltenham before getting his head in front at Market Rasen.

"I think he's pretty versatile and will go on any track and ground, while the step up in trip should help him as well."

Perfect storm?

Kilbricken Storm announced himself as a novice hurdler to follow when winning a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last time and if – as expected – this gets testing, he should thrive, having won over three miles that day.

Trainer Colin Tizzard's son and assistant Joe said: "He's a six-year-old coming seven and has come out of his Cheltenham win really well, so we thought we'd have a go. He seems in good form and the drop back in trip on this ground won't hurt him.

"He's got age on his side and should be physically strong enough to handle conditions – it's going to take a lot of getting."

Rain no pain for Greatrex

One trainer not worried about testing ground is Warren Greatrex, who hopes he will be singing in the rain at his local track with last month's Ffos Las winner Mulcahys Hill.

"If it was good to soft ground I wouldn't be contemplating this, but this is a horse who relishes heavy ground," said the Lambourn-based Greatrex.

"He just loves it – it almost needs to be called off for him. It's going to be a very tough race and hard going, and he's fresh and well and good enough to have a crack."

Fergal O'Brien: 'We're hoping he won't be too far away'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Rhythm in tune?

Fergal O'Brien, unlike Greatrex, does have concerns about conditions for Poetic Rhythm, the Persian War winner who lost little in defeat when third in a Cheltenham Grade 2 in November.

"If he handles the ground we're hoping he won't be too far away," said O'Brien.

"He's in good form and is very straightforward. The trip won't be a problem, but our only question mark is the ground."

He added: "He's already won a Grade 2 in the Persian War and I think he definitely deserves his chance in a Grade 1."

Right Way for Pauling

The Challow will be a race close to Ben Pauling's heart as he savoured his first Grade 1 strike in it with Barters Hill two years ago.

The lightly raced Way Back Then is on duty this time for the trainer, who is optimistic his six-year-old, who missed most of last season through injury, will cope with the gruelling surface.

Pauling said: "He has plenty of ability and I like him a lot. Everyone has got to go into the race with their eyes wide open with regard to how soft it could be, but we've chosen to line up and I hope he'll run nicely. He ran on soft ground as a four-year-old in a point-to-point and finished second.

Way Back Then: 'He has plenty of ability'Credit: Mark Cranham

"He didn't necessarily handle it that well that day, but he's much bigger and stronger and I wouldn't have declared him if I didn't think he could handle the ground."

The trainer added: "The form of his bumper and novice hurdle is good. He came back in A1 this season, so we've no qualms about his fitness."

Rose 'entitled to be here'

Dame Rose, a four-year-old filly, gets weight from her five rivals, which could easily put her in the mix, according to trainer Richard Hobson.

She strolled home in a Listed race against her own sex at Newbury this month, but that was over two miles and half a furlong.

Hobson, who holds the daughter of Network in the highest regard, said: "She's entitled to be here. I didn't want to step her up in trip this early in her career as she does show lots of pace over two miles, but she's got plenty of stamina and won round Hexham in heavy ground. I know that was a novice hurdle, but they've still got to go in it.

"The ground won't be a problem, but it will knock that speed out of her. She has a lovely, high-cruising speed and is in great order, so we've got to take our chance.

"The alternative was running in mares' races with bags of weight and she's only a four-year-old, or going for the Tolworth the week after. As she's won at Newbury I thought we'd come here.

"I'd rather it be two miles, but I've no doubt she stays and as she gets older she'll want three miles; that's when she'll be at her best."

Hobson, on the hunt for his biggest win, added: "The only thing I don't want to see is a really big, strapping, three-mile, staying-chasing type, but they've got to give her 7lb and that will take some doing."

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