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Nicky Henderson is hopeful Willmount can take the step up in class in his stride as he puts his unbeaten record on the line in the Coral Challow Hurdle at Newbury this afternoon.
Trained by Neil Mulholland to land back-to-back bumpers in impressive fashion last season, the £340,000 point-to-point purchase picked up where he left off on his first outing for new trainer Nicky Henderson when winning on his hurdling debut at the Berkshire venue last month.
Henderson has landed the two-mile four-and-a-half-furlong Grade 1 prize just twice in his career but looks to have every chance of adding to the tally with Willmount.
The Seven Barrows-based handler said: "We're running him because he has a bit of experience and we wanted to split up him and Jeriko (Du Reponet), which was the main idea,"
"He's a pretty sensible sort of horse and he behaves like he has been at it a while, which he has been in fairness. He had a point-to-point and then two bumpers and one run over hurdles and he knows what he is doing, I hope.
"I hope he's a horse with a bright future, but it's a good race – a very competitive race."
The Challow Hurdle will see Willmount step up in trip beyond two miles for the first time under rules and Henderson admits there has to be some concern going up in distance on what could be testing ground.
He added: "I don't think it is imperative (going up in trip), I must admit. He doesn't scream to you that he wants further, but I hope he will cope with it.
"The ground would be the biggest concern. This will be very hard work, I anticipate."
Paul Nicholls certainly knows what it takes to win a Challow Hurdle. The Ditcheat-based trainer has landed the last three renewals of the Newbury Grade 1 with Bravemansgame, Stage Star, and Hermes Allen, while he also saddled Denman to score in 2005.
Therefore, it's no surprise to see plenty of morning market support for Captain Teague, who stayed on strongly to finish third in the Champion Bumper last season and has made a promising start to his hurdling career. The trainer also saddles the unbeaten Farnoge following his comfortable success under a penalty in a novice hurdle at Ascot last month.
Speaking on his Betfair blog, Nicholls said: "We have two nice chances in a red-hot renewal of this Grade One which we have won for the past three years and the more it rains, the better for both my runners,"
"Captain Teague ran well when a close second last time at Cheltenham under a penalty. He is an exciting prospect and will gallop all day."
On Farnoge, he added: "He is unbeaten for us having won his bumper last season and both starts over hurdles and has earned a shot at the Challow as I don't think he is far behind Captain Teague.
"He made all the running at Ascot, the form looks useful, he stays well, keeps on winning and soft ground will be ideal for him."
