Nico de Boinville: “He was 10 out of 10 in every department. It is a privilege to ride him”

12:10 Kempton

Awaythelad

I rode him on his debut when third in a Uttoxeter bumper last year and I get back on board for the first time since. He has run two good races over hurdles, most recently when third at Ascot over 2m3f, and stepping back in trip on softening ground could be a good move for him. If he handles the conditions, he has each-way claims here, getting weight from the winners.

13:55 Kempton

Constitution Hill

We have lost up-and-comers Knappers Hill and I Like To Move It at the overnight stage, but we all know how good Epatante, who has won this race twice, is, and how effective Sceau Royal is around here as well, so complacency and over-confidence is not an option. It never should be. But everyone saw how good Constitution Hill was in the Supreme and he was again awesome in the Fighting Fifth on his return, a race in which he was 10 out of 10 in every department. It is a privilege to ride him. Horses as good as him make our job look very easy, and I have nothing more to add really. Extremes of ground are not ideal for most horses and heavy would not be ideal, but soft around here should be fine for him, and let’s just hope the winning run continues.

🏇 Here's trainer Nicky Henderson with the latest on CONSTITUTION HILL

👇 For the full 12 minute video with updates on a whole host of horses, click the link

🔗 https://t.co/3HBJwhS2V5 pic.twitter.com/1dNcWbxUmr

— Unibet Racing (@UnibetRacing) December 21, 2022

15:05 Kempton

Balco Coastal

Friday morning’s rain was probably not good news for him, and he probably wouldn’t want any more similar downpours, but I do think he is handicapped to go well. That is the same mark as when fifth at Newbury on his chasing debut last time and he certainly was a bit novicey there, but he wasn’t beaten that far in the end and I would hope that experience would have served him well. He certainly schooled very well for me on Thursday morning. He won his bumper around here but, as I said, better ground would be preferable for him.

15:40 Kempton

Theatre Glory

Unfortunately, she departed early in First Street’s race on her return at Newbury and we lost the Cheltenham race she was going for next time, but a clear round will hopefully see her be competitive here. This is a decent handicap and she finds herself off top weight in worsening ground, but she proved herself a progressive mare in the spring, she is lightly-raced and a mark of 137 gives her definite chances. But any more rain would worry me.