Nico de Boinville: “Hopefully Champ can give us a nice Gold Cup springboard”

Newbury

1.15pm

Ahorsewithnoname

She had heavy ground form on the Flat, so hopefully she will handle the conditions here.  She was a fair sort on the level and she made a smashing debut for us on good ground when second here in November. Getting the weight, she must have a leading chance, I would have thought.

 

3.00pm

Champ

Obviously, there has been a lot of talk about him coming down to 2m for the first time since his bumper days, so it will be good to stop that side of things and simply see what he can do on the track. We obviously haven’t seen him since his RSA win last March but he has been for an away-day and we were happy with him there.  We know he loves this place, being four from four here, and it will be interesting to see just what he can do against specialist two-milers. No-one really knows, as much as everyone speculates. He has the class all right, but the important thing is to get him back racing again and to post a performance that leaves us with a nice springboard.

 

3.35pm

Mister Coffey

We were probably expecting a little bit more from him at Sandown last time, in truth, so we think he is capable of better here. Maybe the heavy ground on the hurdles track was just too deep for him. He was a good winner here last season and he certainly impressed me when winning at Sandown on his return. He went up 10lb but he probably deserved to, given the style of victory, and he is certainly open to plenty of improvement after just the four hurdle starts. He has his chance in what is clearly a very open and competitive handicap.

 

4.10pm

Mill Green

A mark of 141 gives him chances on his chasing debut, especially with the race cutting up as much as it has. He ran a great race when sixth in the Martin Pipe, and shaped well for me on his first start since in a jumpers’ bumper when fifth at Kempton earlier in the month. The trip is an unknown, though he clearly stays 2m4f well, but the ground will be fine for him.

 

4.45pm

Horn Cape

This looks a decent bumper but my horse obviously showed ability when winning in France in the summer, and he has settled in nicely here. We are clearly hopeful of a good show but, as I said, this could be a pretty hot contest.