Nicky Henderson: “He’s owned by some enthusiastic people including a certain Mr W Mullins”

A VERY quiet weekend for us with just two runners at Newbury on Saturday but with everywhere so wet and even more rain forecast it’s going to be extremely testing. Obviously Cheltenham is just around the corner and they’ve all had their preps so it’s just a case of keeping everything crossed that they all get there fit and healthy as now is always a crucial time because anything can go wrong, and more often than not it does!

I tweeted yesterday about Epatante because it’s important to get the information out there so we can’t be accused of trying to hide anything but I’m pleased to report that she seems absolutely fine this morning and has not coughed once. Her trachea wash was clear and her blood was fine which is obviously very good news and according to her figures she shouldn’t cough again. I must admit I think the reaction has been a little bit over the top and I’m surprised the bookmakers have pushed her out in the betting but I suppose that is what is going to happen when announcements like this are made but we had to keep everyone informed as we all know what can happen otherwise.

The rest of the Cheltenham squad are all doing well and Barry Geraghty came in on Thursday to sit on a few of JP’s including Champ who we had hoped to school but there was so much snow we were forced to abandon that mission because it all gets clogged up and compacts in their feet which makes it impossible to do anything, but all of his schooling had been done anyway as he’s been away to a racecourse and jumped 10 fences over two miles with Theinval as his lead horse and he was excellent. We did school a few others this morning including Altior, Santini, Pentland Hills and Shishkin who were all very good.

There has been lots of chat about the possibility that Cheltenham doesn’t go ahead and like everyone else I am quite concerned, about two things actually. The ground is going to be a serious issue if the forecast is to be believed and that is if the meeting even takes place! I am worried about the Coronavirus and if you read the newspapers two days ago the bookies were offering 4/1 that it’s off, but now I see they are only 2/1 which clearly tells its own story. If for any reason the meeting was abandoned it is absolutely vital that they are prepared to restage it at the earliest opportunity because we can’t be doing with another scenario like Foot & Mouth when they just cancelled the whole thing and shut up shop. Cheltenham should be a moveable beast and if it has to clash with something else then so be it, but it’s imperative that the meeting is not lost, although I am extremely nervous about the whole thing.

NEWBURY

2:40 Handicap Hurdle

Elusive Belle (Sam Waley-Cohen)

She’s slightly better off at the weights with Miranda on their Kempton run and she’s in great form at home. It looks a competitive handicap but I’m very happy with her and she should cope with the ground so I’d be pretty hopeful she won’t be far away.

5:00 Bumper

Staithes (Nico de Boinville)

He comes here having won his Point to Point and has done everything asked of him. He’s not the biggest person so wouldn’t want it like a bog but his work has been very good and this looks an ideal starting point. He’s owned by some enthusiastic people including a certain Mr W Mullins although I doubt he’s coming over to Newbury to watch it but Luke Harvey rides him out everyday and reports him to be in great form so if you want to know how it’ll run, ring him, although he can’t tell me if the horse will go on the ground!

Cheltenham Festival Preview Night

Tuesday 3rd March, 7.30pm (UK time)

️ Mark Pougatch

️ Nicky Henderson, Fergal O'Brien, Nico de Boinville, Adrian Heskin and Paddy Brennan

Streamed Live Online

— Unibet Racing (@UnibetRacing) February 13, 2020

UNIBET CHELTENHAM PREVIEW NIGHT

It’s that time of the year when I’m up and down the motorway attending Cheltenham Festival previews and I’m really looking forward to joining Nico, Fergal O’Brien, Adrian Heskin and Paddy Brennan on the panel for Unibet’s evening on Tuesday. I’m reliably informed it’s all being streamed live online from 7:30pm so make sure you follow @unibetracing and @Sevenbarrows so you don’t miss a thing.