Tag: Nicky Henderson

Scottish Champion Hurdle Preview

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The National Hunt season still has a few big races remaining, starting with the Scottish National meeting at Ayr this weekend. I’ll be previewing the National separately but the Scottish Champion Hurdle is also featured on the ante-post lists now that it is run as a handicap.

As something of a traditionalist, it seems a shame that both the Welsh and Scottish Champion Hurdle are now handicaps but it was inevitable. So much emphasis is put on Cheltenham these days that they were attracting only three or four runners. The policy seems to be working and there is a decent entry for this weekend’s Grade 2 event.

Surprisingly, Nicky Henderson has elected to run My Tent Or Yours. He ran very well at the festival but could not peg back Jezki in the closing stages. That was the second year running that he has found one to good following his narrow defeat in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last year. It is worth remembering that My Tent Or Yours suffered a minor setback ahead of the Champion Hurdle so it could be significant that he is set to turn out here.

He has to concede upwards of 16lbs to his rivals but it is going to take a good one to lower his colours. There are two horses that stand out as possible dangers, Montbazon and Clever Cookie. Alan King has always held Montbazon in high regard but injury has limited his opportunities following a fine novice season. He was understandably a bit rusty on his debut in the Betfair Hurdle after a layoff of almost two years but ran a great race to be third in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham. My only concern with him is that he appeared to have quite a hard race there.

Clever Cookie has gone from strength to strength this season, winning his last three races in great style. They included the Scottish County Hurdle, although it has to be said that it was far removed from the Cheltenham variety. He then bolted up at Kelso in a Grade 2 race so is entitled to take on the likes of My Tent Or Yours in receipt of weight.

My old friend Flaxen Flare has been toiling away in the hottest handicaps all season and is another with a chance if he makes the trip over from Ireland. He doesn’t always find as much as you’d expect off the bridle but 18lbs looks a lot of weight to be getting from the favourite. My Tent Or Yours should make his class tell but he will need to be at his best.

My Tent Or Yours at 11-10 Paddy Power

JLT Novices Chase Preview

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It’s been a tough week for Nicky Henderson with having to finally call time on attempts to get Sprinter Sacre to Cheltenham to defend his Champion Chase crown. He was always fighting a losing battle and there is no doubt that there is a sense of relief at having made the decision.

He has been outlining plans for the rest of his festival team and it is interesting to read his comments. Obviously the big two are Bobs Worth (Gold Cup) and My Tent Or Yours (Champion Hurdle) but the two that he appears most hopeful about are Oscar Whisky and Dawalan.

Oscar Whisky is a regular visitor to Cheltenham but he has disappointed in the past two World Hurdles. The general consensus is that he did not stay the three miles and Henderson has finally accepted that he is a two and a half mile horse. He has switched to fences this season and has not impressed everyone despite winning three of his four starts.

He was narrowly defeated by Taquin De Seuil in a slowly run race in November but gained revenge on that horse on New Year’s Day. On both occasions he was left to make most of the running, not necessarily ideal for a horse that usually delivered a late run over hurdles. In between those two races he beat Wonderful Charm by half a length in receipt of 8lbs.

His last race seems to have done him more harm than good as far as punters are concerned. The valuable Scilly Isles fell into his lap against just two rivals but it took place on heavy ground and he seemed to make heavy weather of it. My instinct is to ignore that run and base his chances on his previous outings over course and distance on decent ground. At 10-1 with Ladbrokes he looks cracking each-way value.

Dawalan has done enough to run in the Triumph Hurdle but Henderson has always felt that he was not good enough and is an ideal sort for the Fred Winter. He has won his last two races and was also a fair fourth behind Calipto and Activial at Newbury. That form now looks exceptional but he will presumably be weighted accordingly.

The betting for the Fred Winter includes names like Ivan Grozny, Pearl Castle, Plinth and Tiger Roll. Some, if not all of those will be running in the Triumph. I’m happy to take the early 10-1 as he will be shorter when the declarations are made.

Oscar Whisky at 10-1 (JLT Novices Chase) Ladbrokes

Dawalan at 10-1 (Fred Winter) Paddy Power, William Hill

Doncaster Wednesday Preview

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Lingfield’s all-weather surface provided the best of the entertainment at the weekend after Sandown and Wincanton were lost to the weather. We kicked off with an 11-4 winner but then suffered a bout of seconditis with our remaining three selections all finding one too good.

The weather situation has eased slightly and we should be in for some decent national hunt racing at Warwick and Kempton this coming Saturday. The Warwick Chase sometimes throws up a decent Grand National prospect whilst Kempton’s Lanzarote Hurdle looks wide open. I have not seen any confirmed running plans so I’m going to wait until nearer the day before risking any cash.

Doncaster’s Wednesday card is not the greatest in the world but at least it helps to get the show back on the road. Trainer Nicky Henderson had an up-and-down Christmas with the victory of Bobs Worth and the worry of Sprinter Sacre’s heart problems. He has a runner in each of the opening three races at Town Moor tomorrow and all have chances.

Nordic Quest runs in the opener after an encouraging debut at Huntingdon when third to Wadswick Court. Namibian, a Group 3 winner on the flat when trained by Mark Johnston, was a disappointing eighth in that race after being eased to a walk. Nordic Quest was rated some 30lbs inferior to Namibian on the level but a few flights of hurdles can make a surprising amount of difference.

Nesterenko carries the Henderson hopes in the second race and bids to follow up an impressive 9-length victory here last month. Mr Mitchell takes off 7lbs and this looks a competitive race but he’s worth a chance at the odds on offer.

Act Alone is the third of the Lambourn raiding party as he bids to get off the mark in the novice hurdle. He was beaten at odds-on by Lemon Ground in a photo finish at Fontwell but a repeat of that effort might be good enough.

Over at Lingfield, it is worth taking note of Miguel Grau in the handicap at 2.00. He is Roger Varian’s only runner on the card and won despite running a little too freely last time out. The four-year-old is still lightly raced and could be up to defying a penalty.

Nordic Quest 12.10 Doncaster

Nesterenko 12.40 Doncaster 5-2 William Hill

Act Alone 1.10 Doncaster

Miguel Grau 2.00 Lingfield 9-4 Coral

Ascot Friday Preview

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There are some very promising novices on show at Ascot on Friday on the opening day of the Ladbroke meeting. 21 runners have stood their ground for the big race on Saturday with our midweek selections of Dell Arca (10-1) and Flaxen Flare (16-1) among them.

The pick of tomorrow’s action is the Grade 2 Kennel Gate Hurdle and I believe Irving is over-priced at 11-4 in the early betting. It is true that Nicky Henderson has his usual endless supply of promising young hurdlers and Volnay De Thaix is the hot favourite here.

Whilst he could hardly have been impressive when winning at Newbury last time, it could justifiably be called an “egg and spoon” race and he hasn’t faced anything as smart as Irving. He may well prove too good for the Nicholls horse but the disparity in the odds making it a simple choice.

Irving was just as impressive at Ascot, cruising clear of A Hare Breath. That horse was only fourth subsequently but never seriously threatened to get near to Irving. Nick Scholfield is making the most of the glorious opportunity given to him at the Ditcheat yard and he rates the horse very highly.

My second selection is Raya Star in the novice chase. I must admit I am slightly worried by reports of a “mystery malaise” affecting some of Alan King’s runners but I’ve long been a supporter of this horse. He was a very good hurdler, winning the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr and the Ladbroke Hurdle over this course.

I am not convinced that Cheltenham suits him because he ran poorly there in the County Hurdle and he was well held when beaten by Dodging Bullets in November. King’s novice chasers have been slightly disappointing of late but this fellow should run well providing the going doesn’t deteriorate too much.

His best form has been on a sound surface but he handles soft ok. Fox Appeal may have been flattered by his second to Wonderful Charm and Mr Mole was not the most reliable performer over hurdles. He is one of several promising rides for Tony McCoy including Carningli who should return to winning ways in the last.

Irving 11-4 William Hill

Raya Star 7-2 Coral

Cheltenham Friday Preview

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Channel 4 is screening four races live from Cheltenham on Friday with plenty of competitive racing. Possibly the most informative race regarding the Cheltenham festival takes place before Channel 4 come on air with Oscar Whisky and Wonderful Charm meeting in the opening novice chase.

Oscar Whisky has his detractors but there is no denying that he was a seriously good hurdler. Things did not work out well for him over fences here last time when forced to make his own running. There was no pace whatsoever in the early stages and Oscar Whisky was all over the place with his jumping until Geraghty gave up the ghost and kicked on.

He was eventually run out of it by Taquin Du Seuil but that was no disgrace and he should strip fitter on Friday. I am a great fan of Wonderful Charm and I can see him going for the RSA Chase in March. I just wonder whether he will be able to concede 8lbs to such a smart horse as Oscar Whisky on good ground over this trip.

The Hennessy Gold Cup did this column a huge favour when Triolo D’Alene gave us a 25-1 winning tip and the form comes under the microscope tomorrow. The third home was Colin Tizzard’s Theatre Guide, a promising six-year-old with decent novice form last season. He didn’t run well at all here previously but connections believe that he is a different proposition this season so he’s worth supporting.

There are some familiar names in the field including Welsh National winner Monbeg Dude and formerly smart Burton Port. I fancied the latter for the Grand National a couple of years ago but he missed the race and has not recaptured the form that saw him finish fourth in a Gold Cup. Monbeg Dude has not had his favoured soft ground yet but has been running well and Aintree is his long-term objective.

Nicky Henderson saddles Fourth Estate and Livius in the handicap hurdle and everything seems to point to Fourth Estate. He finished second to Ranjaan at Kempton and will be better suited by this track.

Paul Nicholls could hardly believe his eyes when Southfield Theatre and Salubrious were both overhauled by Return Spring at the last meeting here and goes in search of revenge. His horses are running much better now and I take Southfield Theatre to come out on top with a small pull in the weights.

Finally, keep an eye on Garde Le Victoire in the last. His hurdling needs some work but that could be down to the fact that he has outclassed the opposition in his last couple of races. He looks Cheltenham novice material and can remain unbeaten.

12.30 Oscar Whisky Even money BetVictor

1.40 Fourth Estate 9-4 BetVictor non runner

2.10 Theatre Guide 5-1 888Sport

3.15 Southfield Theatre 4-1 Bet365

3.45 Garde Le Victoire 11-4 BetVictor

Racing Preview Saturday 7th December

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It’s a busy weekend for both flat and National Hunt fans with Aintree and Sandown followed by the big meeting in Hong Kong. Our midweek bets on the big races have all stood their ground so let’s hope we can follow up our 20-1 Hennessy Gold Cup success!

There are plenty of interesting supporting races, not least the Listed Chase at Aintree at 2.40. According to the Racing Post, Channel 4 are not televising this race. This is slightly baffling, given the good quality of the field and the fact that the Tingle Creek does not start until 20 minutes later!

I am presuming that the powers-that-be had prepared a stack of musical interludes with slow-mo pictures of Sprinter Sacre. One day they will realise that racing fans want more live action and less waffle!

Returning to the race in question, I am going to side with the five-year-old Unioniste. Paul Nicholls has admitted that a lot of his runners are in need of a run this season and the grey was a typical example at Wetherby. He just didn’t quite get home behind Harry Topper and can reverse the form with the runner-up Wayward Prince.

Katenko fell too early in the Hennessy to say whether he would have been involved at the business end whilst The Giant Bolster seems to reserve his best for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Unioniste is tough and consistent and looks great value at 9-2.

I am a big fan of Nicky Henderson’s dual-purpose performer Lieutenant Miller and I’ll be supporting him in the 1.00 at Aintree tomorrow. He ran his heart out at Royal Ascot, Goodwood and in the Cesarewitch on the flat this year and deserves to pick up a decent hurdling prize. He is still on a very attractive handicap mark over hurdles and he should be able to exploit it.

There seems to be a National named after every part of Britain these days and tomorrow it is the London version. I’m going for Bradley in this one after his fine third at Cheltenham last time out. I thought Godsmejudge ran well too but I can’t support him with 11st 12lb on his back.

Bradley caught my eye last year when just run out of it by the mud-loving Monbeg Dude at Cheltenham. He is yet to land the big prize that he deserves but tomorrow could be his day.

Lieutenant Miller 4-1 Bet365

Unioniste 9-2 William Hill

Bradley 8-1 Bet365