30th-Dec-2023

Willmount could be a superstar in waiting, and Johnnywho looks like he could be very good too, but they are both way shorter than they should be on form.  Lookaway was tempting, but I think that Captain Teague has the strongest form, and he is the bet.

Winner of the Grade 2 Persian War Hurdle at Chepstow in October, Paul Nicholls’ horse probably raced on the slowest part of the track in the Grade 2 Hyde Hurdle at Cheltenham last month, so he did well to finish second to a talented and progressive rival in Minella Missile, who raced around the inside and to whom he was conceding 5lb.  He can be marked up a fair bit on the bare form of that run.

Also, Paul Nicholls has won the last three renewals of the Challow Hurdle with top class horses, Bravemansgame, Stage Star and Hermes Allen, it is a race that he targets with his good novice hurdlers. And the emphasis is usually on stamina in the race, and Captain Teague is bred for stamina.

Lookaway is a big danger, he put up a really good performance to finish second in the Greatwood Hurdle last time and he is rated 136, but Captain Teague is already rated 140, and he has the potential to go higher.  I think that Paul Nicholls’ horse should be clear favourite.

CAPTAIN TEAGUE WON (ADV 100/30, SP 2/1)