Nicky Henderson: “His early season target is the Gold Cup at Newbury, and this should hopefully put him spot on for that”

IT’S great to be back up and running again with my Unibet blog for the upcoming season, and I hope you back plenty of winners throughout the winter.

We’ve all enjoyed a nice hot summer, but the horses came back in during July/August, and, at this stage, everyone appears to be in good shape; it’s just a case of remaining that way for the whole season!

I’m happy with Constitution Hill, Jonbon, Lulamba, and Sir Gino is also coming along nicely, although we haven’t been able to get them on the grass because, like everywhere, it has been very dry.

The guys from Unibet came down last week to film a full stable tour, so please have a look at that to hear about all of them, including many of our new recruits who could be very smart.

 

CHELTENHAM – FRIDAY

1:15

East India Express (Freddie Gordon)

He had a great season last year, and I do think he is a hurdler rather than a chaser, so we are sticking down this route. Freddie has always ridden him, and they get on very well, so this looked like the ideal starting point to utilise his 3lbs claim.

Not surprisingly, as a result of last season’s exploits, he comes into this off top weight, but he’s run some fantastic races around Cheltenham, which is a big plus.

To be fair, these are our first runners of the campaign, so we will know a lot more about where they are fitness-wise on Monday morning, but I’m happy with him, and he will love the ground.

 

4:45

Ideal Des Bordes (Daniel Williams)

He’s a big gross horse, so will definitely come on for the run no matter what he does here, but he’s done as much as he can at home, and the ground will suit him a lot.

I hope there is still more to come from him, and you’ll certainly be hearing a lot more of the jockey who is based with us and is pretty good.

 

SATURDAY – CHELTENHAM

2:20

Hyland (Nico de Boinville)

The Grand National was probably a step too far at that stage of his career last April, but he still enjoyed a very productive season and, in fact, won the Novice Chase on this card last year.

He has to have good ground, which he’s got here, and I do need to get a run into him because his early season target is the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, and this should hopefully put him spot on for that.

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