Hermes Allen a stylish winner of the Challow at Newbury

Hermes Allen was a very easy winner of the Coral Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury, to give Paul Nicholls a third successive victory in the Grade One feature.

Following on from Bravemansgame and Stage Star, Hermes Allen had to prove he could handle deep ground on this occasion.

On paper at least, this year’s renewal looked as strong as any in recent memory – but Hermes Allen – who is co-owned by Alex Ferguson – proved in a different league to all of his rivals.

Dan Skelton’s Vicki Vale tried to stretch the field and turning for home it looked as if she may have slipped them.

But a confident Harry Cobden stuck to the inside and as soon as Vicki Vale began to tire, Hermes Allen was quickly left in the lead.

You Wear It Well fared best of the remainder, with Jamie Snowden’s mare plugging on for second, but Cobden did not have to move a muscle on the impressive 11-10 favourite.

Nicholls, winning the race for a fifth time in all – including with Denman in 2006 – was not on course as he was celebrating his landlord Paul Barber's 80th birthday.

Speaking from Ditcheat he said: "I’m obviously thrilled with that.

"I was worried about the ground and the lads asked me what I wanted to do and I just said we didn’t know that he didn’t go on it so we had to kick on. As Harry said afterwards good horses go on any ground, he’s now won on quick ground and that ground.

"He’s not slow. He had been slow at home, but he’s waking up mentally and physically. He’s got it all really, he’s got everything you want in a good horse."

Hermes Allen cost £350,000 after winning an Irish point in November 2021, but did not make his debut for Nicholls until October at Stratford.

"I promise you, the reason we went to Stratford first time out is because he’d shown us