Stage Star all the rage as Paul Nicholls seeks Challow Hurdle repeat

Paul Nicholls won last year's Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury with Bravemansgame and punters are expecting the trainer to repeat the feat with Stage Star strong at the head of the market.

The Owners Group-owned five-year-old has been cut to 11-8 (from 13-8) to follow up his easy victory over the course and distance last month, which was in the same novice hurdle Bravemansgame won the previous year.

With the strength behind Stage Star, the Gordon Elliott-trained Gringo D'Aubrelle has been pushed out to 6-1 (from 4) for the MansionBet-sponsored contest (3.05).

Second favourite Lossiemouth, seeking a four-timer, is solid around 3-1, while there has been a bit of support for West Balboa (6-1 from 7).

The ground at Newbury for has been changed to soft, heavy in places (from soft) following 6mm of rain overnight.

Elsewhere, the biggest mover of the day has been Arizona Cardinal (12.28) at Doncaster, with the Stuart Edmunds-trained favourite cut to 5-4 (from 7-2).

Market movers

Doncaster
12.28 Arizona Cardinal 5-4 (from 7-2)
1.03 Ramure 5-2 (from 11-4)
1.38 Thyme White 7-4 (from 9-4)
2.50 Chirico Vallis 9-1 (from 11-2)

Kelso
1.17 Lucky Flight 8-1 (from 14)
2.27 Blue Hawaii 11-4 (from 5)

Newbury
12.15 Gran Luna 5-1 (from 7)
2.35 Saint Palais 11-4 (from 4)
3.05 Stage Star 11-8 (from 13-8); Gringo D'Aubrelle 6-1 (from 4); West Balboa 6-1 (from 7)

Limerick
12.20 Mick The Jiver 9-2 (from 6)

Limerick gets go-ahead after inspection

Wednesday's meeting at Limerick, featuring the Grade 2 BoyleSports Sporting Limerick Hurdle (1.30), will go ahead as planned after the track passed a morning inspection.

Course officials arranged the 7.30am inspection due to the threat of overnight rain, but were satisfied with conditions to proceed with day four of the track's Christmas meeting.

Quilixios question mark as he renews rivalry with Naas conqueror Teahupoo

Clerk of the course Val O'Connell said: "I'm pleased to say racing will go ahead today. We had 5mm of rain overnight and a drying breeze this morning, so we're all set to go.

"The ground remains heavy on both tracks and we have fresh ground on the hurdle track and the chase course has taken the overnight rain well."

The first race is due off at 12.20 with the fascinating clash between Teahupoo and Quilixios in the feature race at 1.30.

Key non-runners

Newbury
1.25 5 Fairway Freddy
2.35 13 On Call
3.35 4 Rapper

Doncaster
1.38 4 Mackenberg
2.13 3 Wbee
3.20 3 Hawthorn Cottage

Leopardstown
12.35 2 Barbados; 3 Bold Approach; 11 The Last Throw

Wednesday's race previews:

1.45 Leopardstown: Troytown ace Run Wild Fred out to justify lofty rating in Grade 1 novice chase

2.00 Newbury: Can Grade 1 performers add a touch of class to a competitive handicap hurdle?

2.20 Leopardstown: 'His favourite track and time of year' - Sharjah goes for record-equalling win

2.35 Newbury: Find out which runner has the Mandarin as their main target for the season

3.05 Newbury: 'We think the world of him' - Challow Hurdle quotes and big-race insight

3.20 Doncaster: 'She's been great' - Zambella bidding to enhance her popularity in Listed chase

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