Nassalam heads betting for Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle

Irish-trained Quilixios and Duffle Coat ruled out of Grade 1 contest

Ahead of Saturday’s Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow, Nassalam has been placed as the even-money favourite to win.

The four-year-old Gary Moore-trained gelding is ahead of Hous Gris, the 11/4 second favourite, in the betting after the Irish-trained pair Quilixios and Duffle Coat were ruled out.

Adagio comes in as the third favourite at 9/2, with Elham Valley an 8/1 shot to win the Grade 1 contest.

Coral’s David Stevens said: “With the Gordon Elliott duo unable to travel from Ireland to Wales, Nassalam is a warm order to step up from his two runaway Fontwell victories and take this Grade 1 prize.  And any punters who backed either Quilixios or Duffle Coat ante-post will get their stakes refunded.”

Looking further ahead, Chacun Pour Soi is the 5/4 favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase ahead of last year’s winner Politologue, who’s the 6/1 second favourite for the two-mile showpiece.

Another former champion, Altior, is 10/1 in the betting, with Nube Negra, his recent Kempton conqueror the same price.

Elsewhere, Min is the 5/1 favourite for the Ryanair Chase, with Imperial Aura next up at 6/1.