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Challow Novices Hurdle 2026 Betting Odds

Monday 28 December 2026 · Newbury · By Matthew Glazier

There is an exciting betting race taking place on 28 December, where Newbury Racecourse hosts an encounter where the runners and riders compete over two miles, four and a half furlongs. There could be as many as twelve in the field and The New Lion boasts solid credentials after landing back to back successes this term.

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Regent’s Stroll has also been racking up the wins recently and could be in line for another success here, with Paul Nicholls training a five-year-old who has passed every test with flying colours. Bill Joyce and The Yellow Clay are also difficult to discount and we’re looking forward to a competitive encounter.

Challow Novices Hurdle Runners & Odds

2024 Challow Novices’ Hurdle Tips

There could be any number of winners when it comes to the Challow Novices’ Hurdle, with The New Lion having produced the goods in a couple of races this term. Dan Skelton saddles a five-year-old who was able to beat five other runners at Newbury at the end of November, with that coming after a success at Chepstow at the end of October.

The horse began his career with a victory at Market Rasen and puts his unbeaten record on the line, with the racing betting sites anticipating a tough challenge from Regent’s Stroll who is operating at similar odds. The Paul Nicholls-trained runner has similar form, with a massive win recorded at Newbury by nearly ten lengths.

That was at the end of November and came after a fine success at the same course back in March where a five-length triumph was managed against nineteen other runners. It all started in November 2023 where the horse was able to win on his debut in a field of five horses and further progress is expected here.

Out of the other runners, Bill Joyce could be the answer and the horse is looking to land a third successive win of the season. The latest success came as recently as 6 December where the runner was able to score at Sandown and that came after a smart victory at Carlisle at the beginning of November.


2022 Challow Novices’ Hurdle Tips

Hermes Allen is the highest-rated horse in this race and the five-year-old has been all the rage in the betting market for this outing. It’s hardly a surprise considering the way in which the runner won the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle on 11 November, with the runner taking so well to the Cheltenham track and winning by a solid nine lengths.

A repeat of that performance might be enough to win the Challow Novices’ Hurdle, with Bryony Frost previously giving the horse a tremendous spin in a Maiden Hurdle at Stratford, with potentially more to come from a five-year-old who has started featuring in the Cheltenham Festival antepost markets.

We’re looking for potential each-way alternatives to the backed favourite, with Joyeux Machin representing trainer Paul Nolan. The horse looked visually impressive when winning a Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse, with the five-year-old toppling favourite Viva Devito by five lengths and we’d expect a credible showing here.

As for Vicki Vale, she has the mares’ allowance for this encounter and that could be an enormous benefit. Although the horse will need to step up in class here, there was a seventeen-length victory in a maiden hurdle at Hereford in the middle of November, although this represents a stiffer assignment.


If you are looking for the best Newbury betting odds, then you’ve come to the right place. When each Newbury racecard becomes available, we are able to showcase the best horse racing betting sites and many of them will have Best Odds Guaranteed.

Being able to get Best Odds Guaranteed on horse racing means you are able to get an early price on a race and get paid at the Starting Price if the latter is bigger. There is also the opportunity to choose a horse racing bookmaker that has extra each-way places and it’s great to be able to always secure the best value.

The Challow Novices Hurdle betting odds have been available for several decades, with Tony McCoy having been one of the most successful jockeys in the history of the race. Classified was triumphant in 2001, while the Irishman then followed up a year later on Coolnagorna in 2002. Wichita Lineman, Taquin du Seuil and Captain Cutter also obliged for this rider.

Trainer Paul Nicholls has been able to steer a number of horses to victory in this National Hunt encounter that takes place at Newbury Racecourse. He scored with Cornish Rebel in 2003 and then claimed a double when saddling Denman in 2006. Fourteen years later, Bravemansgame was able to oblige in 2020 before Stage Star came home first in 2021.

We always recommend assessing the number of runners that are lining up and looking to get Newbury horse racing price boosts when it comes to the Lanzarote Hurdle. This is a race over two miles and four furlongs, with Poetic Rhythm, Champ and Thyme Hill also among the recent winners.

Past Winners

2024 — Challow Novices Hurdle
  1. 1 The New Lion Harry Skelton +225
  2. 2 Wendigo G Sheehan +2500
  3. 3 Bill Joyce Jonjo O'neill Jr. +450
  4. 4 Regent's Stroll H Cobden +125F
  5. 5 Electric Mason Rex Dingle +4000
  6. 6 It's Hard To Know Ben Jones +1400
  7. 7 First Confession Brendan Powell +1400

Other ante-post races at Newbury

All ante post →
  1. Coral Gold Cup Sat 28 Nov 2026
    Fav: Mr Hope Street
    +1000 Bet365

Challow Novices Hurdle FAQ

When does the 2026 Challow Novices Hurdle take place?
The 2026 Challow Novices Hurdle is scheduled to start at 2.55pm on Monday 28 December 2026.
Where does the 2026 Challow Novices Hurdle take place?
The Challow Novices Hurdle is run at Newbury Racecourse in England.
Who won the 2024 Challow Novices Hurdle?
The New Lion won the 2024 Challow Novices Hurdle at 9/4, ridden by Harry Skelton.
Can I bet each-way on the Challow Novices Hurdle?
Yes. An each-way bet on the Challow Novices Hurdle is two bets in one, a win and a place. The number of places paid and the place fraction are set by each bookmaker and confirmed when the final field is declared, so check the each-way terms before betting.
Are there free bets or offers for the 2026 Challow Novices Hurdle?
Yes. Sign up with the bookmakers listed at Racing-Odds.com, place a qualifying bet on the Challow Novices Hurdle and claim free bets and betting offers once it settles.
Can I watch the 2026 Challow Novices Hurdle live?
Several bookmakers stream the Challow Novices Hurdle live from Newbury. Fund your account or place a qualifying bet, then watch the Challow Novices Hurdle in-play from start to finish.