Nicky Henderson: “I’m very happy with Fusil Raffles and expect him to put up a bold show”

PUNCHESTOWN – SATURDAY

3:50 G1 Annie Power Mares’ Hurdle

With Discretion (Nico de Boinville)

I took her out of Sandown on Saturday because the ground was too fast as this are really likes to get her foot in and she’ll love it if there is a deluge if rain beforehand. Benie Des Dieux will obviously be very hard to beat and she looked to have the Mares’ Hurdle in safe keeping before falling at the last but our horse has done nothing wrong in two stars for us and I’ve been happy with her work. It would be great if she could gain some valuable Black Type.

WOW! Fusil Raffles is eased down to win the 888Sport Take 'Em On Adonis Juvenile Hurdle to claim Nicky Henderson's fifth win in the race pic.twitter.com/2jRy0FfW6o

— Kempton Park (@kemptonparkrace) February 23, 2019

4:25 G1 4-y-o Hurdle

Fusil Raffles (Daryl Jacob)

He was very impressive in the Adonis Hurdle on his debut for us but in the process picked up a nasty cut to his off hind shin bone which meant he was on box rest for about ten days and we were forced to miss Cheltenham and I wanted to give him plenty of time to recover so didn’t rush to get him to Aintree. Everything has gone well coming into this and his work has been very good and he arrives here a fresh horse which counts for plenty at this time of year. It is a competitive little race, albeit a small field, but I'm very happy with Fusil Raffles and expect him to put up a bold show.