Record jumps buy Regent's Stroll set for hurdles debut as Paul Nicholls unleashes exciting young prospects at Newbury

Paul Nicholls unleashes a battalion of exciting young prospects on the opening day of Newbury's Coral Gold Cup meeting, kicking off with the record-breaking Regent's Stroll's eagerly awaited return in the 2m½f maiden hurdle (12.15).

The five-year-old was unbeaten in two bumpers last season, including an easy five-length success at this track on his most recent start in March. That was his final start for former owner Chris Giles before he became the most expensive jumps sales purchase at £660,000 in the summer.

Now in an ownership group that includes Sir Alex Ferguson, he makes his hurdles debut in a race whose roll of honour includes Jonbon, My Drogo, Lostintranslation and dual Champion Hurdle hero Buveur D'Air. Nicholls hopes it can be a similar springboard to stardom.

"We're looking forward to getting him out again," Nicholls said. "He's done lots of schooling at home and he's been jumping well, so we're hoping for a good run.

"He worked well at the track last week and we know he likes it there from last season, and this looks like a good starting point to get him going."

Captain Teague runs in the John Francome Novices' Chase, but he is not the only high-class novice chaser Nicholls has on the card as Kalif Du Berlais bids to put his dramatic debut over fences behind him in the 2m½f novice handicap chase (12.45).

Kalif Du Berlais (right): narrowly denied Givemefive in the Adonis

Kalif Du Berlais (right) runs over fences again at NewburyCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Last season's Adonis Juvenile Hurdle winner was odds-on to make a winning chasing debut at Carlisle this month, but fell heavily at the fourth-last fence when cruising into contention.

Nicholls believes he is none the worse for the fall and turns him out just 18 days later against nine rivals, including Grade 2 winner Personal Ambition.

He said: "It was a nasty fall he took at Carlisle, but he seems to have come out of it okay. We've done some more jumping with him at home since and he's seemed fine.

"Hopefully, this will get more experience into him and he should be sharper for the run too. He's one of many exciting chasers we've got."

Nicholls and jockey Harry Cobden also have a leading chance in the Listed 2m fillies' Juvenile hurdle (1.20) with Miss Altea Blue as she aims to make a winning yard debut.

Owned by Kate and Andrew Brooks, she finished runner-up on her last two outings for Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm in France and faces nine rivals on her first start in Britain.

George and Zetterholm saddle one of her main rivals in recent Hereford winner Midnight Exit, while classy Flat filly Ambiente Amigo is one of two runners for James Owen and the Gredley family alongside Opec.