Nicky Henderson: “Elusive Belle has come on plenty for her third behind Epatante”

SADLY we had to pull Altior out of the Desert Orchid Chase due to an abscess on his withers which is extremely frustrating as he was ready to go but it’s nothing major and shouldn’t hinder his training regime too much so we will probably now go to plan Z and run in the 32Red Silviniaco Conti Chase over 2m4f on January 11th back at Kempton. Top Notch won it last year and it’s recently been upgraded to a Grade Two so is definitely worth having at shot at so, all being well, that’s what we’ll do!

KEMPTON

12:45 Introductory Hurdle

Homer (Nico de Boinville)

He’s a new recruit to us from Andre Fabre’s and stayed very well on the flat so will probably be suited by further in time. He jumps nicely and his work has been fine so he’ll certainly be winning races but this looks a tough introduction.

Torolight (James Bowen)

He can be quite a buzzy horse but ran well enough on hurdles debut before running a very good race  on the All Weather last time. He’s not very big but has done plenty of schooling and will have learnt plenty from his first run over timber. I fancy him to go close.

3:35 Handicap Hurdle

French Crusader (Nico de Boinville)

We pulled him out of Ascot on Saturday owing to the ground so, once again, we’ll be monitoring the weather and it is currently chucking it down at Kempton so let’s hope it stops pretty soon otherwise we could be in trouble. He’s been in great form at home, is certainly ready for a run and put in a great effort at Newbury behind Epatante so could be relatively well treated on that form but the going is obviously a major issue.

Elusive Belle (Sam Waley-Cohen)

She will definitely take her chance and is a mare I have a lot of time for. Her performance behind Epatante at Newbury was very good and she’s come on plenty for it. There are very few miles on the clock and she is improving all the time. There are plenty of ticks in the right boxes where she is concerned.

Epatante wins in majestic style for @sevenbarrows, who secures a 1-2-3 with French Crusader and Elusive Belle in 2nd and 3rd #LWC2019 pic.twitter.com/kIgKvnAST4

— Newbury Racecourse (@NewburyRacing) November 30, 2019

CHEPSTOW

1:05 Handicap Chase

Whatswrongwithyou (Jerry McGrath)

He would have gone very close at Newbury last time but for making a right hash three out so Nico quite rightly pulled him up. Two miles on soft ground is exactly what he wants and he’ll get that here so you’d have to be very hopeful of a very bold show.