Paul Nicholls and Dan Skelton unleash unbeaten stars in cracking Challow Novices' Hurdle

The Challow is a Christmas gift that often finds its way into Paul Nicholls’ stocking. He is the race's winningmost trainer, and a triumph for his Regent’s Stroll would mark a record-extending seventh victory and a fifth in succession.

The stellar sequence commenced with Bravemansgame in 2020 and it’s been all smiles for the yard since, with wins for Stage Star, Hermes Allen and Captain Teague. It is a common destination for Nicholls’ leading novice hurdler and Regent’s Stroll has long been earmarked as that.

Among the best of his generation in bumpers, Regent’s Stroll survived a terrible mistake at the second last on his hurdling debut at Newbury to regain his poise and stamp his authority over the field. That form received a timely boost on Boxing Day with the runner-up, Good And Clever, going down by a similar distance when third to Potters Charm in the Formby.

With a profile like Regent’s Stroll's, you might expect him to be favourite for a Challow. He is from the family of Nicholls’ former great Denman and should thrive for an extra half-mile. Yet Dan Skelton’s promising novice The New Lion edged preference among bookmakers when the Challow market first formed.

Like Regent’s Stroll, The New Lion ran at the Coral Gold Cup meeting in novice company and produced a similarly impressive performance the following day. It is a path Nicholls himself knows well, given Bravemansgame and Stage Star picked up the same race en route to Challow glory.

The New Lion easily defied a penalty there, and the only horse to have run since, the tailed-off sixth, landed a novice hurdle next time.

There are others to consider beyond the big two. It’s Hard To Know also arrives unbeaten for Ben Pauling, who unleashed The Jukebox Man in this race last season. He has plenty to find on the bare figures, but such progress cannot be ruled out.

Take out Bill Joyce’s Champion Bumper disappointment and he’d also have an unblemished record. This horse flew under the radar as one of the gambles of the week at the Cheltenham Festival, returning an SP of 7-1, having opened up at 22-1 on the show.

British-trained runners invariably struggle in the Champion Bumper, and Bill Joyce has quickly atoned for his March no-show with two impressive hurdles strikes. His most recent success in Grade 2 company at Sandown over another of Nicholls’ best young prospects, Quebecois, paints him in a good light.
Analysis by Robbie Wilders

Unbeaten Regent's Stroll out to continue Nicholls-Cobden Challow domination

Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden bid for their fifth consecutive Challow Hurdle with a horse who has always stood out as a potential Grade 1 star.

Regent’s Stroll, unbeaten in three starts, takes a whopping step up in class after landing a Newbury maiden hurdle by nine and a half lengths last month, but the manner of that triumph only succeeded in whetting the appetite to see more of him.

The way in which he coasted clear on the run-in after a mistake two out was deeply impressive, and Nicholls, who obviously knows a thing or two about winning the Challow, was quick to commit him to the £100,000 feature.

Thumbs up: Paul Nicholls had plenty of reasons to smile after the Coral Gold Cup

Paul Nicholls: has a top record in the ChallowCredit: Edward Whitaker

“He’s done nothing wrong, and I’ve always liked him,” Nicholls said. “The fact that it’s a Grade 1 says it all in terms of the level of competition, but it will be interesting to see how Regent’s Stroll fares.

“Everything has gone well in the build up to this race. He has worked well and schooled nicely. I am very happy with him.”

Two and a half miles around Newbury on good-to-soft ground should be ideal for Regent’s Stroll at this stage of his career, and he’s bred to stay further in due course.

What they say

Jonjo O’Neill Jr, rider of Bill Joyce
He’s in good form. He was impressive when winning the Grade 2 at Sandown, and the galloping Newbury track will suit him. It’s another step up in class and he faces strong opposition from the likes of Regent’s Stroll and The New Lion, but he’s there on merit. The softer the ground, the better.

Chris Gordon, trainer of Electric Mason
He ran a very solid race behind The New Lion at Newbury, where a better gallop would have helped him. We’ve decided to have a crack at this Grade 1, and I think he represents a bit of each-way value at 66-1. Hopefully, Bill Joyce might go out and make it a proper test, as Electric Mason is a stayer from the family of Grand National winner Ballabriggs.

Joe Tizzard, trainer of First Confession
It’s a step up in class, but he won nicely at Ascot and we’ve decided to roll the dice. He gallops and he jumps, and I think Newbury will suit him. Sometimes they tend to take each other on from a long way out there. If that proves to be the case, the Challow will turn into a fair old test, which will play to First Confession’s strengths. He’ll need a lifetime best, but I think he could run into a place.

Ben Pauling, trainer of It’s Hard To Know
The form of his wins at what I would call ‘midweek tracks’ would be quite substantial, I think, but I am fully aware of the depth of this Grade 1. Are we expecting to go to Newbury and win? No. Do we think we have a nice horse who can be competitive in this race? Yes. He’s got a big future.

Tom Messenger, assistant to Dan Skelton, trainer of The New Lion
We’ve been very pleased with him. It’s a step up in grade, but he’s a horse we think a lot of. We’re excited about him.

Jamie Snowden, trainer of Wendigo
It’s obviously a high-class race. He looked very good over two miles and five furlongs at Ludlow last time and goes to Newbury in great order. We’re under no illusions about the enormity of the task he faces, but the horse deserves to take his chance. We’ll see where we end up.
Reporting by Richard Birch

'He has to prove he's the up-and-coming force' - Willie Mullins favours Galopin Des Champs in Savills Chase showdown with Fact To File

Can dual Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs reassert back at Leopardstown in top-class Savills Chase?

'He'll be there to pick up the pieces if some of the big guns don't show up' - quotes for the Savills Hurdle

Is there any stopping Impaire Et Passe in Grade 1 Faugheen Novice Chase?