The next Goshen? Latest Moore ace back in contention for Grade 1 Finale Hurdle

The rescheduling of Chepstow's Welsh National meeting has worked in Gary Moore's favour, allowing him an extra two weeks to prime leading young prospect Nassalam for Saturday's Grade 1 Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle.

The four-year-old was considered a key contender when initially entered for the race but he was taken out at the original declaration stage when described as "not right" by his trainer.

But an extra two weeks off, due to the abandonment of the fixture on December 27, has allowed Moore to get him back to peak shape and test him at a more competitive grade after back-to-back wins at Fontwell by a combined distance of 108 lengths.

"We've entered him for it again," said Moore. "He wasn't right at the time but he seems to be now. We'll scope him on Tuesday morning and we'll know more about whether he'll run then. He had an average scope before but we need a good clean one before we run him."

Watch Nassalam's second easy Fontwell success

Nassalam is a top-priced 16-1 chance to right the infamous final-flight unseat of Jamie Moore on stablemate Goshen in the Triumph Hurdle this season, but Moore is unsure of the talent of John Stone's son of Dream Well after two easy victories.

"He's very straightforward and is an easy horse to train," added Moore. "He's big, strong and I have a lot of respect for him but he's got to go and do it in better races.

"The horse who was second the last day [Zellerate] was pulled up next time, so it's a good job he's beating them 59 lengths. He's done it very easily and hasn't had a smack yet so, at this stage, we just don't know a lot about him.

"I know how much I think of him but whether I'm right or wrong, time will tell."

Hitman: second at Grade 1 level last timeCredit: Edward Whitaker

At Wincanton on Saturday, smart novice chase prospect Hitman is to be upped in trip to tackle the rescheduled Paddy Power Dipper Novices' Chase.

He was second to Allmankind in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase, over two miles, last time and trainer Paul Nicholls hopes the additional four furlongs can unlock further improvement.

"Hitman will have an entry in the Dipper," he said. "I think two-and-a-half at Wincanton will suit him well."

Nicholls also confirmed McFabulous would be entered for the Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle at Kempton.

Read more:

'A nice position to be in' – Williams relieved as Secret Reprieve escapes rise

Chepstow confident of surviving cold snap before rescheduled Welsh National

'There should be loads of improvement' – six to follow from the Christmas action (Members' Club)

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