Nicky Henderson: “Her work this week was particularly eye-catching”

SATURDAY – KEMPTON

 

1:00 Novice Hurdle

Fugitives Drift (James Bowen)

He didn’t appear to stay two and a half at Leicester so the drop back down to two miles at Huntingdon last time did the trick where he won nicely. We’ve always thought quite a bit of him and his work has been very good so I think he has every chance.

Global Society (Nico de Boinville)

He was much too keen at Kempton last time on his first try at 2m5f and ultimately paid the price for running with the choke out, so the main thing will be to try and settle him here. They should go that bit quicker over this trip which will help him relax into a rhythm and he is more than capable of making his presence felt.

 

2:05 Novice Handicap Hurdle

Keen On (Nico de Boinville)

I don’t think he disgraced himself in a Grade 2 at Warwick last time and he’s a horse with a lot of class. This looks a very competitive affair but I like Keen On and I think there is more to come from him off 134.

Falco Blitz (Jerry McGrath)

He’s a very likeable person who is extremely consistent and comes here in great shape. He doesn’t really stay three miles but 2m5f round here will be right up his street and he’s another of ours with a great chance.

Igor (Sam Waley Cohen)

He’s been running well all season and seems pretty versatile ground wise. This is his trip and I’ve been very happy with him at home so expect him to go quite well.

 

2:40 Handicap Hurdle

Downtown Getaway (Nico de Boinville)

He missed the cut for Cheltenham which is why it’s so good that they put theses races on as a consolation and he’s had improved since winnning here after having a wind op. We’ve had lots of little niggly problems with him but we seem to finally be getting somewhere and he’s managing to put a few runs together. This is a good race but I rate his chances quite considerably.

 

3:15 Handicap Chase

Whatswrongwithyou (Jerry McGrath)

He probably wants a little bit further than two miles now so this trip is fine and he will be much, much happier on the (good) ground, which is key to him. He’s got no secrets and his form is there for all to see but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him put up a bold show here.

Pistol Whipped (Nico de Boinville)

If we can get him to relax he would have a big say in this as I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet and, under the circumstances, he didn’t disgrace himself in a Grade Two last time. Track, trip and ground are all perfect and with that in mind, he shouldn’t be far away.

 

3:50 Novice Hurdle

Farouk De Cheneau (Nico de Boinville)

He’s a new recruit to us from France and I’ve been happy with everything I’ve seen from him in his work. He stays well so the distance is fine and this is definitely more of a fact finding mission but  it will be interesting to see where we are with him.

Daphne Du Clos (James Bowen)

She’s a lovely sweet mare who won as we expected at Uttoxeter last time for which she got hiked up 8lbs, but the conditions are in her favour and I thought she put in a particularly eye catching piece of work during the week so she could easily have a say in this.