Hermes Allen used to be an easy winner of the Challow Novices’ Hurdle at a rain-lashed Newbury, to present Paul Nicholls a 3rd successive victory within the Grade One function.
Following on from Bravemansgame and Stage Star, Hermes Allen needed to end up he may just maintain deep flooring in this instance. On paper a minimum of, this 12 months’s renewal appeared as robust as any in contemporary reminiscence – however Hermes Allen, who’s co-owned by means of Sir Alex Ferguson, proved in a special league to all of his opponents.
Dan Skelton’s Vicki Vale attempted to stretch the sphere and, turning for house, it appeared as though she may have slipped them. But a assured Harry Cobden caught to the interior and once Vicki Vale started to tire, Hermes Allen (11-10 favorite) used to be briefly left within the lead.
You Wear It Well fared highest of the rest with Jamie Snowden’s mare plugging on for 2nd, however Cobden did not have to transport a muscle at the spectacular winner. He is now as brief as 3-1 favourite for the Ballymore at Cheltenham with Coral.
Earlier, Grumpy Charley proved stamina is definitely and actually his area of expertise with a doughty luck within the Coral Racing Club Mandarin Handicap Chase, whilst Venetia Williams recorded winner No 17 for the season when Gamaret made a successful seasonal and chasing bow. Pa
Stolen Silver can shine at Cheltenham
The Grade Two occasions on Cheltenham’s New Year’s Day card must be offering some helpful hints sooner than the Festival assembly in March, however the handicap chase at 1.55 can be of extra quick worry for plenty of punters, with 17 runners declared and the bookies making a bet 5-1 the sphere.
Several of the main contenders contested the Paddy Power Gold Cup at the Old direction in November, together with the marketplace leaders, Midnight River and Il Ridoto, who ran smartly to complete 3rd and fourth, respectively.
Neither makes as a lot enchantment on the most likely odds, then again, as Stolen Silver who unseated his rider 3 out within the Paddy Power simply as he gave the impression poised for a transfer towards the lead. Sam Thomas’s eight-year-old can race off the similar mark on Sunday and produced arguably the standout piece of shape within the race when coming house 11 lengths transparent in a robust time over monitor and commute in April.
Cheltenham 1.20: Monmiral used to be no fit for Jonbon on his chase debut in November however confirmed greater than sufficient in completing seven lengths at the back of the Arkle Trophy favourite to indicate he has a vivid long term over fences. His 14-length 2nd at the back of Epatante within the Grade One Aintree Hurdle in April additionally implies this step up in commute will go well with.
Musselburgh 1.35: Stuart Coulthard’s Cooper’s Cross Was continuously innovative in his first season over fences and has persisted his growth this time period. He used to be no longer overwhelmed a long way in a more potent race than this at Aintree in early December and appears excellent for his 2nd win of the season off a 1lb upper mark.
Cheltenham 2.30: A powerful renewal of the Relkeel Hurdle, which supplies I Like To Move It an opportunity to underline his growth. Nigel Twiston-Davies’s front-running six-year-old used to be touched off in a robust renewal of the Betfair Hurdle in February sooner than shrugging off a mark of 142 within the Greatwood Hurdle in November, and this transfer as much as two-and-a- part miles may just deliver additional growth.
Musselburgh 2.45: Voix Du Reve is a succesful handicapper and must recognize the massive drop at school after taking over Constitution Hill at Grade One degree in November.
Cheltenham 3.05: Call Me Lord used to be denied victory by means of Dolphin Square in a robust race at Sandown remaining time when his rider mistook the successful publish, however he’s nonetheless up 2lb within the scores and Wilde About Oscarwho used to be a short-head away in 3rd, catches the attention at round 8-1 to get the simpler of the pair. GW