FIRST of all I’d like to offer my enormous sympathies to the teams at Willie Mullins’ and Philip Hobbs after Energumene and Thyme Hill were forced to be withdrawn from Cheltenham next week. I feel desperately sorry for everyone associated with both horses and we know as well as anyone what a critical time the last few days before Cheltenham are. We were in the same position with Altior this time last year and Santini the year before, and it wasn’t until the day of the race when Chacun Pour Soi was taken out of the Champion Chase which just goes to show absolutely anything can happen at any time and all trainers are on tenterhooks at the moment and I must admit I am particularly jumpy myself at this time of the year and it’s not great fun I can tell you. It’s great when everything is going right but I’ve got to go out this evening and feel all their legs and then make sure they’re all sound when they pull out in the morning and the same thing for the next day and the next so we are keeping everything crossed that they all make it there in one piece.
It is always disappointing when horses miss The Festival, I feel sorry for all connections of Energumene. This is by no means a given for Shishkin, he still has a big job to do! Follow this link to hear all about my novice chasing squad. #ad https://t.co/VlkJffuk8D pic.twitter.com/usQ88rNwQD
— Nicky Henderson (@sevenbarrows) March 12, 2021
Speaking of Cheltenham, it probably won’t come as that much of a surprise to many of you but we have decided that Santini will wear a visor in the Gold Cup. Aidan Coleman came in yesterday and schooled him in them and they most definitely sharpened him up. The pace is going to be ferocious and if he starts on the back foot he’ll be playing catch up and in trouble before it’s really begun so it makes sense to put them on and it certainly made a difference at home. In fact he worked very well without even wearing them this morning, in fact probably ten times better than he usually does, so it’s already woken him up.
Santini schooled with some headgear on yesterday and I can confirm he will wear a visor in the Gold Cup.
— Nicky Henderson (@sevenbarrows) March 12, 2021
SANDOWN
1:50 G3 Handicap Hurdle
Patroclus (Nico De Boinville)
I think there’s a fair bit to come from him yet, most of it will probably be when he goes over fences next year when I think he could be very, very exciting but as far as tomorrow is concerned, I think it’s a lovely race for him. It’s right to keep him out of Cheltenham and the EBF Final is made for horses like him who are sub Grade One at this stage of their careers and I actually think he is very well handicapped. Two and a half miles should be perfect, the track should suit, it’s a good prize and I’m very much looking forward to it. He schooled on Thursday morning and was very good so I think he has a great chance off a decent weight.
Captain Morgs (James Bowen)
He’s a person we like a lot and this much stiffer track will really play to his strengths. I don’t think he was quite right when he got beat around Fakenham last time but he is A1 now and and will be a very nice horse next season. He shouldn’t have any issue with the ground and I think he merits serious consideration in what looks a good opportunity for him. To be honest, there’s not much between them both on their homework but if you were to nail me down to one I would marginally prefer Patroclus.
3:00 Listed Mares’ Bumper
Tweed Skirt (Nice De Boinville)
She’s from a good family and won nicely on debut at Wetherby as we hoped she would. This is obviously a big step up and she is a filly who is still very green so will be even better the more experience she gets. She receives a four year old allowance which could help and her work has been very good so I’m hopeful she can run a decent race and in the process pick up some valuable Black Type. It’s a competitive race, as you’d expect, but I do quite like her.
3:35 Novice Handicap Chase
Lust For Glory (Nico De Boinville)
She’s a lovely mare who has a great attitude and seems to be quite versatile ground and trip wise, although I think two and a half miles is probably her optimum. She gave weight away to a subsequent winner at Ludlow last time and appears to be in very good form at home so I can’t see any reason why she won’t run another big race.
4:10 Handicap Chase
Versatility (Nico De Boinville)
We cauterised his palate since his last run which was before Christmas so hopefully that will help with his breathing and this looks a very suitable race for him. Good ground is key so he shouldn’t have an issues on that front and we’ll hopefully have plenty of fun with him for the rest of the spring.
HEREFORD
2:17 Novices’ Hurdle
Hooper (Aidan Coleman)
He’s still a Maiden over hurdles but has won two bumpers and we’re going up in trip which should be a big help. We’re glad to have secured Aidan Coleman and I’ll be disappointed if he’s not capable of going very close.
SUNDAY – WARWICK
5:22 Bumper
High Worth (Nico De Boinville)
He’s from a family with plenty of winners among them and his work has shown that he’s more than capable of winning a bumper, but he is a very big, strong horse who can take quite a hold so Nico’s first priority will be trying to settle him. It looks a good bumper but he’s a decent horse and as long as he doesn’t use all his petrol up in the first mile and a half, he should go well.
