Newbury - Betway Challow Hurdle (Grade 1)

WITH the Mandarin Chase now reduced to a mere Class 3 event, the only black-type event on Newbury’s interesting Saturday card was the Grade 1 Betway Challow Hurdle, in which Thyme Hill (Philip Hobbs/Richard Jonhson) maintained his unbeaten record over hurdles. He failed to impress all who saw him dispatch The Cashel Man (Nicky Henderson/Jerry McGrath) in workmanlike fashion by a length and a half, although the pair did pull well clear despite a modest pace, and the form may be better than it first appears.