The thoughts of all the trainers as seven line up for Challow Hurdle

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

Champ out to take the next step

All seven runners in this year's Challow Hurdle won on their last outing, including two in Grade 2s and one in a handicap.

Normally the latter group would be viewed as the poor relation, but given that Champ won a quite valuable course-and-distance event (first prize was slightly greater than it is for this Grade 1) readily from a mark of 139, he comes here with form claims stronger than any of his rivals.

Champ (near side) up against Vinndication on his hurdling debutCredit: Edward Whitaker

Trainer Nicky Henderson said: "He's got a bit of experience now, having won that handicap here earlier in the month. You'd hope he's come on for it a little."

Champ has been minded to this point, his novice status preserved after he was second to Vinndication in January, and Henderson added: "He's shown his worth to come into a Grade 1 novice now, but he's a real chasing type for next year."

Murphy hoping to storm Newbury

Fast-rising trainer Olly Murphy crosses another achievement off his list as he saddles a first Grade 1 runner. Brewin'Upastorm goes with solid claims, too, having reached a smart level in bumpers and cruising home in a 2m novice hurdle at Huntingdon last time out.

"He's in very good form and we think he might be really smart," said Murphy. "He's a point winner and by Milan, so he'll need two and a half miles in time. There's no reason he can't stay it in this race.

"It's a step up but he's done more or less everything right until now and hopefully he can run well."

Murphy can already claim two wins at Pattern level. As well as Hunters Call in what was the Ladbroke at Ascot last year, he sent out Itchy Feet to win a Listed novice hurdle at Kempton in October, giving him a useful yardstick to measure his supposed star novice against.

O'Brien back for another crack

This time last year, Fergal O'Brien was recording a maiden Grade 1 win in the Challow with Poetic Rhythm. This year he is back, with a horse that won the race Poetic Rhythm had finished only third in 12 months earlier.

He said of running Hyde Novices' Hurdle winner Coolanly: "We're looking forward to it. He didn't do anything wrong when he won at Cheltenham and deserves to take his chance on the back of that.

"I don't think slower ground will be a problem. He seems fairly versatile actually and I think he'll handle most types of ground."

Poetic Rhythm wins last year's Challow for Fergal O'BrienCredit: Mark Cranham

Alsa taking it to the boys again

Also victorious in a Grade 2 when last seen was Alsa Mix, when she ploughed through the mud to win the Winter Novices' Hurdle at Sandown.

Trainer Alan King said: "We won this race a couple of years ago with Messire Des Obeaux and she's followed the same path.

Alsa Mix: already a Grade 2 winner over hurdlesCredit: Getty Images

"Sandown was a big rise in class but she coped with it well, relishing the longer trip and more testing ground, and I've been very happy with her since. I hope she can handle this further step up to Grade 1 company but it's going to be a tough ask."

King's previous four winners of the Winter Novices' Hurdle all ran in the Challow next time, recording form figures of 2731.

Nicholls eyeing more Christmas cheer

It has been a fine week for Paul Nicholls, who recorded a tenth King George victory as well as sending out the winners of the Finale and Wayward Lad. Getaway Trump is his representative as he seeks a third Grade 1 of the week.

"He's done nothing but improve," said Nicholls. "He was unlucky on his hurdles debut and has won very nicely the last twice. It's a competitive race but he's progressive and that's what you need in this company. I think he'll run very well."

He added: "We had been thinking about the Tolworth but with the ground not being as testing as anticipated, I thought the extended to and a half miles would be fine."

It is coming up for 13 years since Nicholls last won the Challow with perhaps its most famous graduate of all, Denman.

Kateson bids to upset the favourites

Trainer Tom Lacey broke through at Aintree in April, when Thomas Patrick and Jester Jet won Grade 3 handicaps and Kateson went close in a Grade 2 bumper.

All three have run with distinction this season, but only the last-named has won. He has made a perfect start over hurdles, taking a strong-looking maiden at Chepstow and a traditionally indicative novice at Newbury's Ladbrokes Trophy meeting.

Lacey said: "The Challow has been the aim since he won here last time and we're very happy with him.

"Ideally it would've been softer ground, all his form's on soft, but you get what you're given. He's won both his hurdles runs and the last one here is working out okay, but this is a big step up."

Park rates a fair prospect

The betting implies Nestor Park has most to find, though the races he has run in suggest he is well regarded by connections. Trainer Ben Pauling was certainly more positive than most would be when responsible for a Grade 1 'outsider'.

"He's a very nice horse who we've always liked," said Pauling. "He was over the top at Cheltenham in March, was too keen there in November and then did it nicely at Warwick last time. That will hopefully work out to be a decent race and hopefully he can come on for it."

He added: "This has been the target for a while. It's a competitive renewal of the Challow and ideally the ground would have been a bit softer, but we'll run him to see how high up the ladder he can go."

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