Edwardstone ran a big race in the Grade 2 handicap at Kempton when carrying a heavy weight, but he was beaten by one of the outsiders who caused a shock under Harry Cobden.
Rizzel's tips
Ballybreeze 6/1 – Newbury 1.12
My selection Ballybreeze has to prove a fair bit with the recent form figures next to his name of 7FU and 9, but if you're willing to look into his form from over a year ago, there is definitely room for him to grab a success in this level of contest off his current handicap mark.
It's crazy to think that Ballybreeze is now an 8-year-old as he has only been seen four times over fences and seven times over hurdles. He is definitely much better over fences, with his record of 0/7 over the smaller obstacles showcasing that, so I don't think there's too much to read into his run in November over hurdles on his first start in 367 days where he finished 9th/10 and actually put in a decent performance all things considered.
With a recent run under his belt and a reducing handicap mark of 114, this looks like the right time to catch him. He won on his chasing debut in 2022 off 110, recording an RPR of 127 that day, and has since run well in the Arkle and was travelling nicely into a Class 3 race at Market Rasen under falling three from home. He unseated his rider early into a Cheltenham handicap last November but has evidently had problems since with just the run over hurdles being his run since the unseat.
This is a decent race and I do like a fair few in this race for races going forward, but I struggle to see a horse as well handicapped as Ballybreeze, and if he jumps soundly, he has a really big chance of winning this.
Regent's Stroll 13/8 – Newbury 2.55
It could be captain obvious going for a Paul Nicholls runner for the Challow Hurdle as this race is one in which Paul targets his novice hurdle stars, and he has won this race with some nice horses in recent years, but I do think Regent's Stroll has the best form.
The unbeaten five-year-old from Ditcheat has been faultless to date, with two wins in bumpers and a smooth odds-on success at Newbury. He is now 2/2 at the track and has seen the form of that win at the end of November being franked. The runner-up has since finished 3rd in the Grade 1 on Boxing Day at Aintree behind Potters Charm, which is definitely the best piece of form on offer.
The step up in trip is a new question which will have to be answered by my selection but he has stamina in his pedigree, from both sides, so I think this new trip will unlock further ability. He has the course form which is always a bonus, and though I don't think it'll be a walk in the park, as many respected horses line up, I think we're on the best horse.
