Talking Horses: slick-jumping West Balboa value wager in Challow Hurdle


The Newbury contest has a fine record of pinpointing future chasing stars and Wednesday’s race looks a strong renewal

The Challow Hurdle at Newbury has a fine record of pinpointing future chasing stars, with past winners including Denman, Champ, Taquin Du Seuil and Sunday’s Kempton winner, Bravesmansgame, all going on to land Grade Ones over fences later on in their careers, and Wednesday’s race looks like one of the stronger renewals in recent seasons.

Stage Star has not put a foot wrong in two starts over hurdles and he stopped the clock in a decent time when winning over course and distance in November. Lossiemouth, too, is unbeaten over timber this term after progressing rapidly from an Ascot handicap in October, while Gordon Elliott’s Gringo D’Aubrelle, the only Irish-trained runner in the field, will also attract plenty of support.

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