Trainer Nicky Henderson is in red-hot form at present and looks to continue the streak with the unbeaten Willmount in the Gr1 Challow Novices’ Hurdle (17h00) at Newbury on Saturday.
The 5-year-old heads the betting, in a field of nine, with sponsors Coral following an impressive 13-length course win last month.
That success was over an extended two-miles, and with a step up in trip and the good-to-soft ground both sure to suit, Willmount should take this on his way to Cheltenham later in the season.
Paul Nicholls trained the last three winners of this race and holds a strong hand with Captain Teague, who steps up in class after a shock defeat when favourite for a Grade 2 hurdle at Cheltenham last month, and the progressive Farnoge, who is as yet unbeaten under Rules.
Neil King saddles his stable star Lookaway, and this Grade 2 winner is not without a shout.
The progressive six-year-old will enjoy the soft ground but was beaten two and a half lengths by the Henderson trained Iberico Lord in the Greatwood at Cheltenham last month. Henderson should have a line on him with stablemate, Willmount.
Earlier on the card at 14h40, Jeriko Du Reponet should start the day off in style for Nicky Henderson with victory in the Coral ‘Introductory’ Hurdle.
Run over an extended two miles, this course and distance winner ‘cantered’ home earlier this month and looks very progressive.
At 15h50, course and distance winner Get A Tonic should provide the Skelton team with success in the Coral Racing Club Join For Free Handicap Hurdle.
Run over two and a half miles, the top weight’s slick jumping from the front-end should negate the 8lb penalty she received for a seven-length course and distance win four weeks ago.
