Nicky Henderson: “I expect him to go close”

Saturday

AYR

13:15

Persian Time (Nico De Boinville)

He won in good style at Kempton last time, over two miles and two furlongs, suggesting that he might even want a little bit further. So the drop back to this trip is a little concern, but if the ground is quite soft, which I suspect it will be, it’ll ride further anyway, although he is much better on better ground. He’s the most gorgeous horse who is improving all the time, and hopefully, conditions won’t go against him.  

 

14:25

First Street (Nico De Boinville)

We are worried about the ground for him, so we’ll closely monitor the conditions. He’ll go up there but isn’t certain to run if it’s too attritional. He is a standing dish in these sorts of races, and you could set your watch by him. We all love having him around the place, and it would be great if he could put up a bold show.  

 

16:45

Choccabloc (Nico De Boinville)

He is a very imposing son of Blue Bresil, from a family we all know well, who is progressing nicely through the ranks. He ran a decent race at Cheltenham behind Gidleigh Park, having shown a good attitude to win at Ludlow before that, and he’s learning all the time. This is a good race, and he has to improve again, but Nico is confident he’ll handle the ground, and whatever happens here, he will make a lovely chaser next season.  

 

17:20

Califet En Vol (Nico De Boinville)

He has done everything we’ve asked and is a very nice prospect who has come from the point-to-point field. This is a lovely course to introduce youngsters to, and I’m hopeful he’ll have more behind him than in front.

 

BANGOR

16:35

Doctor Kildare (Sam Twiston-Davies)

He’s a son of Doctor Dino, a sire his owner likes very much. I was happy with his debut at Newbury, where he finished fourth on very testing ground. That will have been a good education for him, and I expect him to go close in this.

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