AFTER a fantastic week’s racing which saw Kauto Star at his brilliant best, Harchibald at his enigmatic worst and bumper crowds across the country, 2008 ends on a fairly low key weekend.  The biggest race run this Saturday is the Grade One Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury.  A race that has fallen to such illustrious horses as Denman, Cornish Rebel, Wichita Lineman and Grand National winner Bindaree.  The latter of these was trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and he looks to have the one to beat in this year’s renewal in the shape of Razor Royale.  A useful point-to-point winner, he has progressed into a very good hurdler and probably should have won last time out but for blundering the last when cruising up to challenge the eventual winner.  Previously he had demolished his closest rival, Elusive Dream, by 21 lengths in a Grade Two event at Cheltenham.  The Twiston-Davies/Paddy Brennan combination couldn’t be in better form at the moment and could well carry off this feature event.  The Newbury card also includes an intriguing Juvenile Hurdle which sees the debut of Celestial Halo, a horse beaten only just over three lengths by Lucarno in this year’s St Leger.  Therefore strictly on flat form and ability he should take all the beating.  However he wouldn’t be the first classy flat horse to falter over obstacles and considering the prevailing going I’m going to side with another ex-flat performer who has already shown form over hurdles.  Emerald Wilderness was well beaten behind Ashkazar on his last start, but with the winner considered one of the leading stars of the Juvenile ranks and with all important jumps experience I think Alan King’s runner could cause a mini upset.

  Selections – 1.00 Newbury, 7 Emerald Wilderness