Paddock pointers: Newbury & Cheltenham

Hermes Allen won the Challow Hurdle at Newbury on New Year's Eve despite bad weather conditions. Kilbeg King and Passing Well got positive notes. Hermes Allen is an experienced runner and he will probably win the Ballymore at Cheltenham in March. He sets a high standard for the best of the Irish-trained runners to better. The paddock demeanour of Hermes was notably on his toes. It was not a negative impact on the performance.

The Challow novice race attracted a double-figure field. The winner Weveallbeencaught is a chaser. Rock My Way is another embryo chasers. Il Ridoto didn't finish well in the Premier Handicap back at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. He will target the Greatwood Handicsap at Newbury at the start of March. Gentle Slopes needs two more runs to qualify for the County Hurdle. He has two defeats in hurdling. Paul Nicholls has a good record over the years in this race. It's possible he will try to win it.

Marie's Rock won the Relkeel Hurdle on her first start since Punchestown. Jet Powered had a problem with breathing after his debut at Newbury. Jupiter du Gite won at Kempton. Blenkinsop won a handicap hurdle at Cheltenham. The field for the listed junior bumper at the Cheltonham is mixed. The first three horses have a bit of something wrong with them. It will be a while before the BHA handicapper takes his measure. He will probably go for Adonis followed by the Anniversary HURDLE. His win at this race catapulted him to the fore in the Triumph HURLle market.

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