Kilbricken Storm and Rocklander set for Newbury success

Big day of racing on ITV

The Challow Novices’ Hurdle is the highlight of a seven-race card on ITV4 this Saturday.

With action from Haydock, Taunton and Newbury to enjoy, there’s plenty of equine excitement to be had on the final weekend of racing this year.

Kilbricken Storm assumes favouritism for the feature race but will be pushed all the way by Dame Rose, Poetic Rhythm and Way Back Then.

Looking at that race and the rest, the Coral News Team have cast their expert eyes over the afternoon’s affairs.

Bet of the Day

It’s hard to see past Kilbricken Storm in the Challow Novices’ Hurdle. Dan Skelton’s raider has progressed well in recent months and showed his class to land the Bristol Novices’ Hurdle earlier this month.

The stamina he showed over 3m at Cheltenham could be crucial this afternoon. Although the trip is shorter – 2m4f – the ground is forecast to be heavy. That’ll make the race all about stamina, which the six-year-old has in abundance.

A small field should also suit for this progressive type who is taken to land a maiden Grade 1 contest.

Rocklander to return to his best

Rocklander’s second start over fences didn’t quite go to plan at Doncaster a fortnight ago. In a four-runner contest, the eight-year-old unseated his rider at the first obstacle to end his chances prematurely.