SUNDAY – NEWBURY

1:15 Novices’ Hurdle

Ahorsewithnoname (Nico De Boinville)

I’ve been trying to get another run into her for quite a while but the weather has had different ideas so it’s great that Newbury are able to restage this fixture and I think it looks a very good opportunity for her. I was very pleased with her first run for us over course and distance in November and if we are going to be looking at races like the Mares’ Novice at the Festival she’d need to go extremely close in this.

2:25 G2 Denman Chase

Terrefort (Daryl Jacob)

As has been well documented he got cancer in his eye which meant he races with just one eye but it doesn’t hinder him one iota and we’ve schooled and worked him going left, right and straight through the middle and it makes absolutely no difference whatsoever. He never really shows much on the gallops but is as fit as I can get him at home and this should put him ready for some nice targets in the spring.  

3:00 G2 Game Spirit Chase

Champ (Nico De Boinville)

Everybody probably thought Henderson had gone mad when I announced we’d switch him to this race but after discussing everything with JP, AP and Nico we came to the conclusion that it was the right thing to do bearing in mind we are now a week closer to Cheltenham and I don’t want to risk him having a very hard race over three miles first time out so the drop down in trip seemed the most logical scenario and it may also help eradicate the ‘bounce factor’. He’s done plenty of work and has been to Henrietta Knight’s, including on Thursday, for lots of jumping practice so we have all angles covered and if he is going to be a live Gold Cup contender he would need to put up a very bold show here.

3:35 Handicap Hurdle

Buzz (Kevin Brogan)

We’ve called upon young Kevin Brogan to make use of his 5lbs claim which will be a big advantage in a race like this and he is in great shape at home. Kevin came in to have a sit on him last week and they appeared to get on well together which is all rather good and I wouldn’t suspect he’ll have any issues with the ground. It’s a very competitive race, as you’d expect, and one can never been overly confident but he’s working well, has lots of ability and is sure to run a big race.

Mister Coffey (Nico de Boinville)

He was very enthusiastic in the early part of his career but seems to be settling down better in his races and Nico managed to drop him out at Sandown last time when he finished third and may have finished a little closer had he not made a blunder two out and by that time the winner had got away. That is the problem with having to be held up so far out, but he’s getting better all the time and with a bit of luck he should be able to get plenty of cover in a race like this, so you’d have to be quite hopeful.

Fred (Daryl Jacob)

We’re switching back to hurdles and he’s having his first run in a Handicap off a mark of 144 but he’s still extremely unexposed and should handle the soft ground. As with all our runners, they have solid chances and it’s hard to really pin one down.

4:10 Novices’ Handicap Chase

Mill Green (Nico de Boinville)

He ran an excellent race in the Martin Pipe at the Festival and the run in a Jumpers Bumper at Kempton two weeks ago will have really sharpened him up. We’re taking stamina on trust but I think he’ll stay and he’s schooled well over fences. I rate his chances very highly.

4:45 Bumper

Horn Cape (Nico de Boinville)

He a lovely son of Fame And Glory who has shown plenty of ability and was ready to run last week but his blood count wasn’t quite right so the extra week has done him good. He is absolutely massive, you certainly wouldn’t think he’s only four, so the long galloping straight will be in his favour and this looks an excellent starting point.