The feature race of Newbury’s card on the 29th December is the Grade 1 Challow Novices Hurdle over 2m4f, and the last three winners of the race being Bravemansgame, Thyme Hill and Champ so this race does usually throw up some very nice prospects further down the line who go on to become decent stayers over both codes.
The feature race of Newbury’s card on the 29th December is the Grade 1 Challow Novices Hurdle over 2m4f, and the last three winners of the race being Bravemansgame, Thyme Hill and Champ so this race does usually throw up some very nice prospects further down the line who go on to become decent stayers over both codes.
The race this year looks no different and there are a few very nice types in this again, the current favourite Stage Star does look a nice prospect being 2 for 2 over hurdles in his debut season over obstacles winning both races by a combined 13 and a half lengths.
He is yet to contest in any Graded races as yet but is trained by Paul Nicholls who has won this race three times in the past including last year with Bravemansgame and Denman in the past. So, this is a springboard for some top horses coming through the team at Ditch heat.
As previously mentioned, Stage Star is yet to contest in any black type races but couldn’t have won his first two starts over hurdles in better fashion, jumping well and seeming to get better with each run, the potential of this horse could be very high and he is a very exciting novice hurdler for the season ahead. We expect champion trainer Paul Nicholls to equal the record and win this for a fourth time.
