Nicky Henderson: “I’m quite entertained by the idea of having a go and he is in fantastic shape at home”

I thought it might be worth detailing my frustration at the current climate with regards to novice chases and the lack of them, in particular when it comes to Lucky Place who runs over hurdles at Ascot on Saturday.

I’ve just got nowhere to go with him and this is the danger of what will happen with the lack of Novice Chases nowadays. Apparently, there is a new board which is being set up to try and figure out why there are so few good chasers around, but this horse is a typical example because I have no opportunities for him to run in novice chases; I am basically being forced to run horses in races I don’t particularly want to run them in. Shanagh Bob is having to run in an all-aged handicap at Uttoxeter on Sunday which is ridiculous. I mean, would you really want to launch one of your best novice chasers in open company on their first start over fences? It’s not fair on anyone, especially the horse and that can’t be the right thing to do.

I have Sir Gino and Iberico Lord entered at Kempton on Monday and the likliehood, at this stage, is that the latter will be declared rather than Sir Gino.

ASCOT

12:25

Excello (Nico de Boinville)

He did well last season over fences, winning at Ascot, but the plan was always to come back hurdling and protect his novice status for this year, and hopefully I’ve found the most suitable race. We tinkered with his wind in the autumn and he’s been working nicely at home, but does really want soft ground so I’m hoping the forecast is right. He could easily go back chasing, because he jumps very well, but this looks a good place to start his campaign.

 

2:45

Lucky Place (Nico de Boinville)

He’s all schooled up and has been entered all over the place over fences but for reasons owing to the ground and what I’ve said above, we have found ourselves coming into this. It’s a valuable prize and he has some very high class hurdles form, notably finishing the best of ours at the Cheltenham Festival when fourth in the Coral Cup. This does look a decent race, however, but I’m quite entertained by the idea of having a go and he is in fantastic shape at home; we’ll certainly see what sort of division he is in after this.

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