HERMES ALLEN can add to champion trainer Paul Nicholls' festive winners with victory in the Coral Challow Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (3pm) at Newbury Park on Saturday afternoon.
The five-year-old can help the Ditcheat handler land the Grade One feature at the Berkshire track for a third year in a row.
Recent King George VI Chase winner Bravemansgame and Stage Star have both won the race for the Nicholls’ stable in recent years and the talented Hermes Allen looks another likely type to land victory before possibly going on to the big spring meetings – the Cheltenham Festival and the Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse.
Hermes Allen was bought for a whopping £350,000 by the syndicate which features former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Grant National-winning owner John Hales and has quickly repaid part of that.
He won on his debut at Stratford in October, scoring by a massive 27 lengths in a maiden hurdle. He made the step up to a Grade Two company with ease when landing the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in November – scoring again comfortably by nine lengths.
He made all in both contests and looks a slick and promising young hurdler. He moves up to the top level and the gelded son of Poliglote should take it in his stride and beat chiefly Irish raider Joyeux Machin and the Harry Skelton-trained Vicki Vale.
Venetia Williams’ GAMARET can make a winning return to action on his debut over fences in the Coral First For Horse Racing Handicap Chase (1.15pm).
The six-year-old won one and was second in the other of his two hurdle starts, but is expected to be even better now sent chasing.
The Fergal O’Brien-trained PEKING ROSE can bounce back to form in the Coral Bet Bundles Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (1.50pm).
The seven-year-old was a good winner of a 2m4f contest at Aintree in October but disappointed when only sixth behind Red Risk last time over course and distance last month.
He won over two miles at the Berkshire venue this time last season and was also second stepped up to 2m4f for the first time back at Newbury in March.
The gelded son of Passing Glance still remains open to improvement and can resume his progress with victory ahead of chiefly Dan Skelton’s Chepstow winner Pikar.
Peking Rose is also entered in the Paddy Power Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, but this race would be a better chance of victory.
CERTAINLY RED resumed winning ways at Wincanton at the start of the month and can go in again in the Coral Racing Club Mandarin Handicap Chase (2.25pm).
Lydia Richards’ eight-year-old has won two of his five chase starts, was second in another and was brought down at Lingfield on his penultimate start. He showed he was over that unlucky effort at Wincanton and can continue his improvement with another victory despite a 5lb rise in the handicap.
The Olly Murphy-trained DOCTOR KEN can land another victory in the Coral Get Closer To The Action Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (3.35pm).
The six-year-old won on his chasing debut at Aintree at the start of last month and ran well enough when second at Ayr last time out. He can continue in good form with another triumph stepped up to an extended 2m6f for the first time.
Others who can win at Newbury are the Robert Walford-trained AMELIA'S DANCE in the opener, the Play Coral ‘Racing-Super-Series’ For Free Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (12.10pm); and Nicky Henderson’s unbeaten JET POWERED in the Coral Racing Club Join For Free ‘Introductory’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (12.40pm).
At Uttoxeter the Tim Vaughan-trained BOBMAHLEY can win the QuinnBet Daily Free Bet Handicap Chase (2.18pm).
The consistent seven-year-old was second for the fourth time in his last six starts at Lingfield last time. He did win at Fakenham in October and may be able to go in again.
Olly Murphy’s SECRET TRIX – a winner for the first time over obstacles at Fakenham last month – may be able to score again in the John Pye Auctions Handicap Hurdle (1.08pm).
Others who may triumph at Uttoxeter are Evan Williams’ CAN YOU CALL in the In Memory Of June Taylor Handicap Hurdle (1.43pm); the Richard Bandey-trained PASS ME BY in the ecolifefurniture.co.uk Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (2.53pm); and TELHIMLISTEN, from the Jennie Candlish stable, in the QuinnBet Handicap Hurdle (12.33pm).
At Warwick Ben Pauling’s MISTER WATSON can build on his return to action when third at Bangor last month to win the Poundland Handicap Chase (2.45pm).
The Neil King-trained SPORTING ACE can make it third time lucky after two recent seconds in the Poundland Handicap Hurdle (1.35pm); while TEMPLIER can win the Poundland – Proud To Support Warwick Racecourse Handicap Chase (1pm); and MIDNIGHT MOSS, from the Cheshire stable of Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, can take the Poundland Conditional Jockeys’ Veterans’ Handicap Chase (2.10pm).
At Cheltenham on New Year’s Day on Sunday Dan Skelton’s MIDNIGHT RIVER can win the Paddy Power New Year’s Day Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (1.55pm).
Others who may score at Prestbury Park are Evan Williams’ SECRET REPRIEVE in the AIS Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (12.45pm); the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained I LIKE TO MOVE IT in the Grade Two Careers At dornangroup.com Relkeel Hurdle (GBB Race) (2.30pm); and course and distance winner DOLPHIN SQUARE – from the Philip Hobbs’ stable – in the Paddy Power Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (3.05pm).
Wright Ones
NEWBURY
12.10pm Amelia’s Dance
12.40pm Jet Powered
1.15pm Gamaret
1.50pm Peking Rose (NAP)
2.25pm Certainly Red
3pm Hermes Allen
3.35pm Doctor Ken
WARWICK
11.55am Duke Of Moravia
12.25pm Kateira
1pm Templier
1.35pm Sporting Ace
2.10pm Midnight Moss
2.45pm Mister Watson
3.20pm Bowenspark
UTTOXETER
12.03pm Time For Hollie
12.33pm Telhimlisten
1.08pm Secret Trix
1.43pm Can You Call
2.18pm Call The Dance
2.53pm Pass Me By
3.28pm Bobmahley
LINGFIELD
11.50am One Step Beyond
12.20pm Sax Appeal
12.55pm Berwick Law
1.30pm Ruskin Red
2.05pm Tyger Bay
2.40pm Jilly Cooper
3.15pm Bobby On The Beat
CHELTENHAM (NEW YEAR'S DAY)
12.10pm Weveallbeencaught
12.45pm Secret Reprieve
1.20pm Monmiral
1.55pm Midnight River (NAP)
2.30pm I Like To Move It
3.05pm Dolphin Square
3.40pm Dancing In Brazil
