'I toyed with the idea of the Challow' - who's hopeful of a big handicap run?

Saturday: 1.50 Newbury
Coral Bet Bundles Handicap Hurdle | 2m4½f | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Three of the last ten winners of this handicap either won or were placed in a Grade 1 later in the season and it is worth paying close attention to what happens here with a view to the spring festivals.

With the exception of last year's winner Dashel Drasher, who was exploiting a lower hurdles mark after landing the Grade 1 Ascot Chase earlier in the year, younger horses have prospered. The then eight-year-old was the only winner older than six in the last decade and youth will likely trump experience again in this season's running.

Five-year-old Pikar, a second-season novice who gained valuable experience in Grade 2 company last term, has attracted plenty of early support and probably merits it on his handicap debut.

The handicapper saw fit to raise Pikar's rating by 5lb to a mark of 130 after his five-length novice hurdle win at Chepstow in November.

That probably still underestimates his talent as the well-beaten second and fourth bolted up next time, while the third Master Chewy was set to follow suit before falling at the last at Ascot.

Two horses who revert to hurdles after flopping on their chasing debuts last time, Silent Revolution and Soaring Glory, are others to consider. Soaring Glory won the 2021 Betfair Hurdle here and might find improvement on his first start at this trip.

Silent Revolution is also unexposed at the distance and the fact he was thrust into the Supreme on just his second hurdles start for Paul Nicholls can be viewed as a vote of confidence by the master trainer.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

Daly youngster on the up

Blenkinsop, a half-brother to smart chaser Fortescue, is unbeaten in three handicaps and it will be a surprise if a mark of 123 proves to be the ceiling of his ability.

The fast-improving five-year-old held an entry in the Grade 1 Coral Challow Hurdle later on the card, but connections elected to continue down the handicap route.

Henry Daly: trainer of BlenkinsopCredit: Edward Whitaker

Trainer Henry Daly said: "Blenkinsop has worked well since his last win at Exeter and seems in good order. It's a step up in grade, but I did enter him in the Challow as he's still a novice. I toyed with the idea, but decided to go for this race."

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Silent Revolution
He had a setback after running in a novice handicap chase at Newton Abbot in October and will improve for the run.

Alan King, trainer of Nina The Terrier
She ran well for a long way in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham in November, and going back up in trip will suit her. She ran a super race to finish second over this course and distance in April.

Gary Moore, trainer of Warranty and Moulins Clermont
Warranty has done amazingly well in lower-grade races this season. It's a big jump up in class, but he might have the heart to do so. Moulins Clermont was very disappointing first time out. I hope the soft ground at Newbury will help him.

Kerry Lee, trainer of Black Poppy
He will love the step up in trip. He likes Newbury and gets on well with Brendan Powell. He's not very big so the fact he gets in off a low weight is an advantage. It's a competitive race, but he should run well.
Reporting by Richard Birch

Read Saturday's previews:

2.10 Warwick: a win for Wynne? Keith Melrose expects a bold show from Moss in veterans' chase

2.25 Newbury: who will add their name to the glittering honour roll in the Mandarin Chase?

2.32 Punchestown: 'I think he'll take some beating' - can in-form Barry Connell bag valuable pot?

3.00 Newbury: 'It's as good a Challow as I can recall' - but can anyone stop Hermes Allen?

3.35 Newbury: 'Natural' Nothin To Ask just one of host of progressive novices in hot handicap

Punchestown: Any Second Now starts out on road to Aintree return in quality conditions hurdle

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