Nicky Henderson: “This looks a very suitable race for him and I’d like to think we have the Shishkin of old back”

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL – THURSDAY

1:30 G1 Turners Novices’ Chase

Balco Coastal (Nico De Boinville)

He was very good at Kempton and then ran right up to his best in the G1 Scilly Isles last time where he really made Gerri Colombe pull out all the stops, and as he’s going up to three miles we thought it made sense to stick to this trip for the time being and he worked very well on the All Weather track at Kempton the other day. This is obviously a competitive race but we’ve always thought he’d be a better chaser and I think he comes into this with a very realistic chance.

Unibet are BOOSTING the price of the favourite in this race (frmo 10am)

2:10 Pertemps Final

Walkingonair (Nico De Boinville)

He’s a very high class horse who is bred for this trip and I liked what he did at Exeter last time. This track and trip will suit him very well and I do think there is still plenty of improvement in him.

Captain Morgs (Sam Twiston-Davies)

He was very good last time out around here on his first start over three miles and goes well fresh. The Handicapper hasn’t taken any chances but he’s a good fun horse who is certainly not ruled out of this.

Mill Green (Daryl Jacob)

He’s had several issues so has only run once so far this season but that was in a qualifier for this where he ran a nice race to finish third at Haydock, and that will have brought him on plenty. Daryl retains the ride and he was third in this race last year off exactly the same mark so I think there are plenty of positives and I can easily see him running into a place.

Unibet are playing EXTRA PLACES (SIX) in this race 

2:50 G1 Ryanair Chase

Shishkin (Nico De Boinville)

It was a brilliant day when he won the Ascot Chase last time and there was never any doubt that this race was where we wanted to be rather than the Champion Chase over two miles. Everything has gone well since Ascot and he’s won twice at the course so we know he handles the track. While I would be looking to step him up in trip further down the line, possibly at Aintree, this looks a very suitable race for him and I’d like to think we have the Shishkin of old back.

4:50 G2 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle

Luccia (Nico De Boinville)

After she won at Exeter Nico even suggested she should run in the Supreme, which suggests he thinks she really is that good, and while she would have received a weight allowance in that, I do feel keeping her against her own sex is the right thing to do and I’m very much looking forward to running her. She’s very versatile ground wise, so it wouldn’t matter if it comes up soft, and she is a worthy favourite.

Ahorsewithnoname (Sean Bowen)

She was placed in this race last year and while it’s very rare for a horse to run twice in this race,  we decided a long way out that this is where we wanted to end up again so we went and had some fun on the flat during the summer when she won some nice prizes and Newbury and York. She comes here nice and fresh and I certainly wouldn’t be ignoring her. She’s smart and streetwise, which counts for plenty in a race like this.

Under Control (Mark Walsh)

She was very good at Newbury on her first run for us in what was probably not the strongest race but we like her a lot and I have no doubt she has an extremely bright future. This is a massive step up, and I’m not entirely sure she’s ready for it, but she is an exciting prospect and I hope she can run well.

Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE (FOUR) in this race

5:30 Kim Muir

Emir Sacree (Tommie O’Brien)

Overall he’s a pretty consistent person who ran well at Sandown last time in what was a good race and this sort of test will suit him. It’s a competitive renewal, as always, but I see he’s about 40/1 with Unibet which looks a very generous each way price.

Unibet are paying EXTRA PLACES (FIVE) in this race