NEWBURY'S Grade 1 Challow Hurdle is an absolute peach of a race, in which Roll Along (2.40) just about gets the nod to maintain his unbeaten record.

As it is almost certainly the strongest contest of its type so far this season, Roll Along will need to be at his most ruthless if he's to make it six straight wins, the latest of which was achieved in sparkling fashion at Cheltenham.

Roll Along possesses that machine-like quality at the heart of all top-class thoroughbreds, but with rivals such as Kanpai, Sir Jimmy Shand, and Witchita Lineman, it's not going to be easy for the Carl Llewellyn-trained selection.

Paul Moloney's mount might have most to fear from Sir Jimmy Shand, who was mighty impressive when collecting over track and trip last time out for the in-form Nicky Henderson stable.

The opening Novices' Chase brings together two extremely smart recruits to the bigger obstacles, Fair Along and Killaghy Castle.

Pint-sized Fair Along blew a significant hole in the perceived wisdom that it takes a big horse to jump fences by brushing aside Cheltenham Festival winner, My Way de Solzen, when the pair clashed at Sandown recently.

Killaghy Castle is a sturdier sort of individual with an equally bright profile, having lowered the colours of the highly-rated Briarus in workmanlike style at today's course in November.

It's a very tough call to choose between a brace of potential champions, but I am just erring on the side of Killaghy Castle, a six-year-old with the world at his feet if staying free from injury.

Mistakes in the jumping department have been the only blot on an otherwise lucrative campaign for Irish Raptor (1.35), who has won twice, and twice failed to finish during his last five outings.

It doesn't require Einstein-standard arithmetic to calculate Irish Raptor is a risky betting proposition, but the available evidence indicates that when he does stand up, it takes a really good 'un to beat him.

Daryl Jacob, doubtless still on a high after yesterday booting The Listener to victory in Leopardstown's Lexus Chase, returns to more bread-and-butter stuff at Taunton.

Still, little fish are sweet, a point not to be forgotten when considering Ile Facile (3.20), upon whom Jacob has decent each-way prospects in the Steve Logan Memorial Handicap Hurdle.

* Noel Meade has pencilled in a run at Leopardstown in February for Aran Concerto, the current favourite for the the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle.

Meade is on record as saying he believes the five-year-old is potentially the best horse he has ever trained, although he is expected to reach his peak over fences.

He flew into the reckoning for Cheltenham when landing his second win from three starts over timber with a sparkling display in the Barry & Sandra Kelly Memorial Novice Hurdle at Navan nearly a fortnight ago.

''Aran Concerto has been perfect since he won the other day,'' said Meade.

"He will most probably come back to Leopardstown for the Deloitte Novice Hurdle (February 10) over 2¼ miles as it's tough to find races for him with his Grade One penalty."