Classy field for Challow

Ladalko heads the eight runners declared for the stanjamesuk.com Challow Hurdle at Newbury tomorrow.

The Paul Nicholls-trained five-year-old took the William Hill Winter Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown earlier this month to earn a step up to Grade One company at the Berkshire track.

In a well-contested event, Ladalko will face several promising sorts including Brewster, Bannow Strand and Rebel Rhythm.

Brewster has won his last two starts, both at Cheltenham, in the style of a progressive young horse and his trainer, Ian Williams, is hoping for a good run.

He said: “I don’t see any reason why he shouldn’t run a decent race.

“The softer ground will help. They’ve had a good drop of rain overnight.

“He won over three miles last time, he’s in good form but it is a very competitive race and Ladalko probably sets the level.”

Rebel Rhythm has landed two races over Haydock’s brush hurdles in good style.

Sandwiched between his two wins was a fine second to the useful Turpin Green at Aintree.

Bannow Strand put up an impressive performance for a four-year-old in an Irish point-to-point at Tallow in February when he trotted up by 15 lengths.

He has his first start for Martin Pipe and top owner David Johnson tomorrow.

Pipe hopes the gelding will in time develop into a Cheltenham Gold Cup contender and has described him as “a strong, lovely looking individual”.

Theatre, who had a class E novice hurdle at his mercy when he came to grief at the final flight at Lingfield last time, runs for Jamie Poulton.

“We are hopeful rather than confident about his chances but he does handle Newbury very well,” the Lewes-based trainer said.

“He would have won with a degree of authority last time so he is not completely a forlorn hope.

“At this stage I would have liked to have won a little race before I took these guys on but Chris (Steward, the owner) wanted to go, so away we go.

“The horse goes there very fit and well and in great form. If we pick up second, third or fourth prize money it will be fantastic and if we happened to win it would be amazing.

“The trip (two miles and five furlongs) will suit him – he stays those trips.”

Nigel Twiston-Davies is represented by Va Vavoom, Nyrche runs for Alan King and the Bob Buckler-trained Keepthedreamalive completes the line-up.