Nicky Henderson: “I think he’s a better horse at this time of the year so I can see him going very close”

Eight runners flying the flag for @sevenbarrows on Wednesday and my thoughts on their chances are below. After racing I'm off to the Jonny Rocks Stadium to be manager of the Unibet XI versus the AP McCoy XI. I suspect I may have my hands full. If you're in the area then you should come along after racing, it's going to be a fun night! 

 

CHELTENHAM – WEDNESDAY

 

2:05 Novices’ Hurdle

Mill Green (Nico de Boinville)

Good ground is the key to him and that was probably what found him out at Sandown last time but he still put up a very good show in a Grade 3 there on soft so I’d be much happier with him on this surface. He’s a proper summer horse who we should have plenty of fun with over the next few months and I think he has a great chance in this.

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2:40 G2 Chase

Wenyerreadyfreddie (Nico de Boinville)

I think this is his trip and ground and hopefully we’re going the right way around as he seemed to jump markedly left at Ascot on his penultimate start, despite winning. He was put up quite a few pounds in just two runs but the form of his Ascot beating of Kildisart has worked out well and this horse arrives here nice and fresh having missed Cheltenham and Aintree. I’ve been very happy with his work and expect him to put up a good show.

 

3:15 Handicap Hurdle

Jenkins (David Bass)

We’re going back over hurdles with him and he’s only a couple of pounds higher than his Ascot win last season so might not be that badly treated but there’s a suspicion he might be better with a little more cut. He’s in good form, though and if he copes with the ground it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise to see him put up a decent effort.

Rather Be (Jerry McGrath)

He’s been quite an unlucky person so deserves to get his head in front and he’ll absolutely love the ground. We’re putting a tongue tie on and switching back to hurdles off a mark of 140 which is 5lbs lower than his chase mark. This is his ground and I think he’s a better horse at this time of the year so I can see him going very close.

 

3:50 Chase

Darius De Bois (Sean Bowen)

He made a massive blunder at about the sixth fence at Sandown last time which basically ended his chance and he was never really going after wards so Sean pulled him up. He’s been running in Point to Points so I think this is his trip and he may even appreciate the better ground as he ran a very good race over hurdles on Good at Ayr last April.

Duke Debarry (Nico de Boinville)

He’s struggled with his wind but I hope we have got it all sorted now although he did appear stop quite quickly at Huntingdon last time. This looks a tough race and he needs to improve little but I’ve been happy with him at home and I think the track will suit.

Back at @CheltenhamRaces tomorrow riding before the @IJFFootball match. Should be a fun day! #ad https://t.co/FLQmhva2j6

— Nico de Boinville (@NdeBoinville) April 16, 2019

4:25 Handicap Hurdle

Thomas Campbell (Connor Brace)

We’ve tinkered with his wind since his last run and with Connor’s 7lbs claim, plus the fact he’s come down a few pounds in the weights, he could potentially be quite well treated in this bearing in mind he won off 148 in November 2017. He’s a proper character at home and if there’s any ever trouble in the string you can guarantee he’s at the centre of it but he’s in great form and I think he’s up to going very close in this.

 

5:30 Amateur/Conditonal Jockeys’ Hurdle

Laughing Luis (Jonjo O’Neill Jnr)

This is a race for jockeys who have ridden in pony races in Great Britain so it’s great to be able to secure Jonjo O’Neill Jr who is a jockey going places. Laughing Luis is off a career high mark so has to improve but he’s a likeable little chap who will love the ground and I’m hopeful he won’t be far away.