Starzand continues to move through the gears with the minimum of fuss and now looks set fair for a crack at this, having caught the eye of joint-trainer Johnson White in his recent work at home. A £230,000 pick-up from the point-to-point field, he has yet to put a foot wrong since joining the White and Philip Hobbs team at Minehead, cruising to victory in his bumper before producing a similarly slick display on his hurdling debut in October.

Horse to follow number 2 for the season another novice hurdler.

Starzand trained by Hobbs & White.

Mega impressive on his only bumper start at Ffos Las, I can see him setting his goals high this season & he'll go well in some good races, I like him 💪🏻pic.twitter.com/CzghBeM5XG

— TBJ (@TBJ_Racing) October 2, 2025

A festive trip to Newbury has long been pencilled in, and with the son of Derby hero Harzand pleasing in all the right ways behind the scenes, connections are content to keep him fresh for his Grade One assignment on December 29, live on Sky Sports Racing.

White said: “The Challow is very much the thought at the moment and he did a very nice piece of work on Friday morning under Sean Houlihan. He looks great and we can’t wait to have him back out again.

“Everything is very much going to plan with him at the moment and he won’t run before Newbury, the Challow will be his next port of call.”

Challow Novices' Hurdle
£60,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 4f 118y, Class 1
entries
Going: