Only two rivals set to take on classy Barters Hill in Challow Hurdle
Hailing from the yard of Ben Pauling, the five-year-old won on each of his four bumper outings last term, beating the Willie Mullins-trained Bellshill at Aintree while Nicky Henderson’s pair of Altior and Buveur D’Air at Newbury, who have both made a big splash over hurdles already this season, were behind him at Newbury.
Barters Hill kicked off his hurdles career at Huntingdon in early November, when he adopted his usual front-running role before finding for pressure to eventually win by 14 lengths.
Dan Skelton’s North Hill Harvey was second that day and has subsequently won at Cheltenham, giving Pauling plenty of confidence ahead of this switch up to Grade One company.
Only Denman has won the Challow and gone on to victory at the Cheltenham Festival in the same season in recent years, but classy types like Fingal Bay, Diamond Harry and Reve De Sivola all feature on the roll of honour.
“Barters Hill is in great form and I could not be happier with him,” said Pauling.
“We know he handles soft ground and I think he will be able to handle whatever is thrown at him.
“It was a huge form boost to see North Hill Harvey win as he did at Cheltenham. He did make a mistake at the second last at Huntingdon but I think Barters Hill would have beaten him comfortably no matter what.
“Alan King’s horse that won at Sandown (Label Des Obeaux) looks to have a nice, progressive profile but we are happy to take on whatever comes our way.”
