Nicky Henderson: “Altior goes there in flying form”

I was delighted to reach our 100 winner milestone when Pistol Whipped claimed the big race at Perth yesterday at the end of what has been a slightly abnormal season. This has not been the most straightforward campaign for many of us and I owe so much credit to all of the team at Seven Barrows who have kept the show on the road during what has been difficult times for all of us.

I really cannot stress how important it is to have a good team behind because they are the back bone of the whole operation and I am extremely lucky that my right-hand man Charlie Morlock is my eyes and we have a great back stage crew who have remained so loyal and dedicated throughout, so I owe them my thanks and gratitude.

We were lucky to have two G1 winners at Cheltenham who thankfully followed up at Aintree and Chantry House along with Shishkin head into the summer with very big futures ahead of them and give us all lots to look forward to for next season. Obviously all of our owners have been brilliant throughout all of this and without them we would be nothing so a big thank you to each and everyone of them for their continued support throughout the years.

Hopefully next season we will be able to enjoy having you all back on the track and racecourses will thrive once again because while it’s been fantastic to have racing continue throughout the pandemic it just isn’t the same without a crowd and the great atmosphere that comes with it, especially at the big meetings like Cheltenham, Ascot, Sandown, Kempton and Aintree.

We’ve got some very exciting youngsters to look forward to next season including I Am Maximus, Wiseguy, Dusart, Jonbon, Buzz, Patroclus and many others. Indeed I am at Newmarket sales today looking for the next superstar! So a big thank you for reading my Unibet blog throughout the jump season and I look forward to seeing you all on track next year!

Nicky

 

SANDOWN

1:55 Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

Lilly Pedlar (Nico De Boinville)

She ran a very good race at Newbury but this is a slightly different ball game because first of all it’s half a mile less and I wouldn’t be entirely convinced that’s right up her street, but on the other hand she is qualified for this and it’s worth a vast amount of money so she might as well have a go. She’ll be able to enjoy a nice long break after this but is in very good form at home, won’t mind the ground, because she’s not a heavy mare, and we’re giving it our best shot.

Unibet's 15 To Go offer will run on this race.

 

2:30 G2 Oaksey Chase

Mister Fisher (Nico De Boinville)

We obviously have Frodon to beat which doesn’t make our task any easier but Mister Fisher has been quite an unlucky horse this season and despite being pulled up at Cheltenham he still ran a great race when chasing Allaho all the way. He seemed to spook at the cameras at Aintree which caused him to lose concentration with his jumping which ultimately was his downfall but he’s absolutely fine and has schooled on our Canter Carpet schooling strip and is in great form. He’s a very versatile horse so doesn’t have to make the running, because I expect Frodon will be doing that, so we’ll be tracking for as long as we can and hopefully finish the race well over a trip and on ground that should be absolutely ideal. He’s such a lovely person who is a much better horse than his form figures might suggest.                     

 

3:05 G1 Celebration Chase

Altior (Nico De Boinville)

I am delighted to say that everything has gone very well in the lead up to this race and, barring mishap over the next 24 hours, he goes there at the top of his game and in flying form. He hasn’t raced on ground like this for quite some time but we worked him on our grass gallop during the week with a couple of lead horses and he absolutely bounced off the surface so there shouldn’t be any excuses where that’s concerned. Obviously Put The Kettle On is a very talented mare and Sceau Royal is a big danger too, but we are all happy with Altior and the cheek pieces could help. It’s just great to get him back on track! 

 

4:15 G2 Select Hurdle

Call Me Lord (Daryl Jacob)

He’s won this race before and absolutely loves the track so has a lot going for him. I thought he ran very well at Aintree and there is no doubt on his very best form he’d have a pretty good chance.

On The Blind Side (Nico De Boinville)

He has been a real star for us all the way through and it’s quite amazing what he’s achieved over hurdles because he’s a big horse who looks built for chasing but things didn’t quite go right for him in that sphere but he’s more than made up for it over timber. He ran an extraordinary race at Aintree last time when looking the winner at one stage and the drop back down in trip won’t be an issue neither will the fast ground and I’m sure he’ll run another huge race. 

 

4:50 Handicap Chase

Falco Blitz (Nico De Boinville)

He’s a very consistent horse who always tries his best and this trip around here should suit really well. He gave weight to Killer Clown at Kempton on Boxing Day but is receiving a pound from him today so, in theory, he’s entitled to reverse that form.

Lust For Glory (James Bowen)

Things didn’t go to plan in the Topham last time so she will be much happier over conventional fences and we’ve done plenty to keep her nice and fresh at home since her last run. She’s a lovely person who will make into a great broodmare in the future but she still has plenty to give in this sphere first.

 

5:25 Handicap Hurdle

Cascova (Nico De Boinville)

I was very impressed with his win at Ascot and I think that victory will have done his confidence a lot of good for his Handicap debut where I think there could still be a little bit to come off his mark of 132. It’s a wide open affair, so I’m not confident by any means, but he’s improving all the time and goes there with a great shout.