Henderson expects Leopardstown events to make Cheltenham picture clearer

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Nicky Henderson expects to have a clearer idea of who will prove the main danger to Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle after this weekend’s Dublin Racing Festival.

Constitution Hill is unbeaten under rules, making light work of a string of Grade One races when winning by facile margins, with the six-year-old a hot favourite at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Henry de Bromhead’s Honeysuckle has dominated the contest in the past three seasons but after losing her undefeated record to Teahupoo at Fairyhouse in December, she is on a redemption mission as she clashes with Willie Mullins’ State Man in Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Constitution Hill winning at the Cheltenham Festival last year
Constitution Hill winning at the Cheltenham Festival last year (Mike Egerton/PA)

Henderson expects the contest to provide a better picture of the Champion Hurdle field and further inform his decision on where to send Epatante, winner of the race in 2020 before being placed behind Honeysuckle for the past two years.

Epatante was well beaten by Constitution Hill in both the Fighting Fifth and the Christmas Hurdle, but landed a Grade Two mares’ event at Doncaster by six and a half lengths last week.

Speaking to Sky Sports Racing, Henderson said of Constitution Hill: “The only thing that’s really happened since the Christmas Hurdle that would encourage you is that Epatante, who has been running round and finishing quite a way behind him on the last two occasions, comes out and, admittedly against much, much weaker opposition, but in a Grade Two hurdle last Saturday she won as far as she liked.

“That actually proves that Constitution Hill has been beating something, that’s about the only thing that has changed since Christmas.

“Epatante will go for the Mares’ Hurdle or the Champion Hurdle, I haven’t spoken much to JP (McManus, owner) about that but she proved she stayed two and a half (miles) and won really nicely at Aintree last year.

Epatante at Doncaster
Epatante at Doncaster (Richard Sellers/PA)

“We’ll see what JP wants to do, you’ve got Epatante there as a back up if Constitution needs a back up. That’s going to be very interesting, to see what happens this weekend and see how they all get on.

“Honeysuckle and Willie’s horse (State Man) will tell us quite a lot and I think the decision on Epatante will probably be made as a result of what we see there.”

Henderson is also expecting the Arkle field to take shape after the Dublin Racing Festival, with the current favourite Jonbon set to head to Warwick for the Grade Two Kingmaker before preparing for the Festival in March.

Jonbon heads the Arkle market
Jonbon heads the Arkle market (Steven Paston/PA)

“Jonbon is in good form, he worked yesterday and will school tomorrow,” he said.

“He’s on course for Warwick, he’s in great shape actually. He just wants one more run, he’s had a nice freshen up since the Henry VIII and hopefully this will put him right for the Arkle.

“We will be watching quite carefully, the good thing is that Constitution Hill and Jonbon don’t have televisions in their boxes so they won’t know what’s going on!”

Thomas Darby delights Murphy with Ayr chasing success

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Olly Murphy was “over the moon” to see his high-class hurdler and stable stalwart Thomas Darby open his account over fences after a thrilling battle with Gold Cup Bailly in the Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at Ayr.

It will be four years next month since Thomas Darby finished best of the rest behind Klassical Dream in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, after which an intended novice chasing campaign the following season was aborted after just two starts.

Now aged 10, the son of Beneficial has since plied his trade over the smaller obstacles – enjoying big-race success in the Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle at Ascot in 2020 and in last season’s Grade Two Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury.

Going back over fences for the first time since finishing a distant third at Kempton in November 2019, Thomas Darby was the outsider of four in Scotland, but proved he is no back number with a determined display under top-weight.

Gold Cup Bailly, bidding to make it four from four over fences and out to record a third successive win at the track, was the 5-6 favourite under Daryl Jacob and attempted to make all, with 15-2 shot Thomas Darby always his nearest pursuer in the hands of Sean Bowen.

The pair went at it hammer and tongs racing down the back straight for the second time, with no quarter given, but following a pulsating duel for home, it was Thomas Darby who claimed top honours by a length and a quarter.

Murphy said: “I thought he jumped unbelievably well for a horse who hadn’t run over fences for over three years and I’m absolutely over the moon.

“I hadn’t pursued his career over fences for one reason or another, but he got in a lovely rhythm and got a fantastic ride off Sean.

“It was a very competitive race for Ayr on a Wednesday and to win off 145 I thought was a good performance.”

Trainer Olly Murphy
Trainer Olly Murphy (David Davies/PA)

Considering future plans, the trainer added: “I don’t know where we’ll go from here, but we’ll have a bit of fun with him over fences. We’ll maybe go and boss a few smaller fields somewhere and if there’s a sexier target towards the end of the season, then great.

“I won’t be getting too excited. We might just try to win something small under a penalty.

“For him and Itchy Feet to have won in the same week, it’s testament to all my staff at home. These horses have been on the go for a long time and they’re not getting any younger, but to keep them sweet and happy and enjoying their racing, I’m chuffed to bits.”

Bowen was completing a double on the card, having brought up his century for the season aboard John McConnell’s Jackpot De Choisel (30-100 favourite) in the Racing TV Juvenile Hurdle.

He made it a treble – and a double for Murphy – with Booster Bob (9-4) triumphing in the We’re Racing Next On 14th February Open National Hunt Flat Race.

The Big Dog takes Leopardstown test en route to Aintree

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Peter Fahey is happy to give The Big Dog his Grand National prep run in the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Saturday.

The 10-year-old has already enjoyed a fantastic season, winning the Munster National at Limerick and the Troytown Chase at Navan before finishing third under 12 stone in the Welsh Grand National.

The Big Dog will face a big rise in class on the opening day of the Dublin Racing Festival, with Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Galopin Des Champs among his likely rivals, but Fahey views the Grade One contest as an ideal stepping-stone to Aintree in April.

He said: “At the moment he’ll definitely be running. He came out of the race at Chepstow well.

“It’s a hugely competitive race and Grade One, but it fits in well in that it gives us enough time to aim for Aintree. Hopefully he puts in a big run and it will put us right for the Grand National, which is the main target.

“He’s a little bit behind on ratings on Saturday, but I wouldn’t be worried. It’s a lovely race for him and the ground isn’t going to be too heavy, so it won’t bottom him out too much.

“He’s after having a hard season, running in three big handicaps so far. We’re going into a Grade One race now, but it gives us enough time afterwards to freshen him up for Aintree.”

The Big Dog is one of two planned runners for Fahey on Saturday, with Visionarian set to line up in the Goffs Irish Arkle.

Visionarian winning at Galway
Visionarian winning at Galway (Brian Lawless/PA)

The eight-year-old could renew rivalry with Saint Roi, to whom he finished second in a Grade One at Leopardstown over Christmas, while Dysart Dynamo and Appreciate It are other potential opponents.

Visionarian is the rank outsider in ante-post lists, but Fahey is quietly confident about his chances.

He added: “Visionarian worked and schooled on Tuesday and I’m absolutely thrilled with him – he seems to have come on a bit from his last run.

“Hopefully they don’t put water on the track for him, but he’s in good form and I think he’ll run a very big race.”

Murphy mulling Cheltenham and Aintree choices for Strong Leader

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Olly Murphy is considering both Cheltenham and Aintree options for his promising hurdler Strong Leader.

The six-year-old has been beaten just once in five career starts, his sole loss being a second-placed run in a Cheltenham bumper in October.

After that the gelding made a seamless transition to hurdling, winning his debut at Uttoxeter before going on to land an Aintree novice by eight lengths from subsequent wide-margin winner Etalon.

Next came a Southwell novices’ hurdle on Sunday, a race in which Murphy’s charge cantered home to win by an easy 15 lengths under a penalty.

Strong Leader holds an entry for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and could head there next, but Murphy has an alternative plan that involves targeting the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton and then aiming for Aintree instead.

Strong Leader (left) at
Strong Leader (left) at Aintree (Nigel French/PA)

“He came out of his run well, we haven’t quite decided what we’re going to do,” he said.

“We’ll either go to the Dovecote and go to Aintree, or go straight to the Supreme.

“It’s just a little bit frustrating that he hasn’t gone up in grade at any point, just to dip our toe in the water and see where we are.

“There haven’t been options for him and he’s a horse who doesn’t want heavy ground, so that’s limited were we’ve been able to go, It is what is is and it’s the way the programme book works over here.

“The form has all worked out well, albeit I’d have loved to have run him in a graded race before going to Cheltenham, if that’s where we’re going to go, but he’s gained some more experience and he looks to be progressing nicely.”

Hills planning dual assault on Turf Sprint prize

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Charlie Hills’ stable stalwart Pogo will be joined by Garrus in the Group Three 1351 Turf Sprint at the Saudi Cup meeting on February 25.

The seven-year-old entire Pogo was ultra-consistent last season, winning two Group Threes as well as the Group Two Challenge Stakes in October, booking his ticket to the Breeders’ Cup.

A seven-furlong specialist, he ran over a mile at Keeneland but will be back over his favourite trip in Saudi Arabia in a race in which he finished fifth 12 months ago.

“Both horses are in great form and I couldn’t be much happier with them,” said Hills. “The plan has always been to start both in the race in Saudi and I’m really looking forward to running them as they seem in really rude health.

“He (Pogo) was absolutely brilliant last year and kept a really solid level of form the whole way through the campaign.

“I’ve always believed he was a really good horse, as he’s always shown that at home and it’s great that he’s translated his work on the gallops to the track. He’s got a great constitution, takes his racing really well, and just didn’t stop improving.

“Some horses just take a bit longer to develop and he might be one of those. He’s a real trier and there’s no doubt that last season showed he’s improved as he’s got older.

“The track and trip should really play to his strengths out there. He loves fast ground and hopefully this year’s race will be run a bit more to suit. We’ll probably ride him a touch more patiently this time and with any luck he’ll be bang there.”

Garrus is heading out to Saudi Arabia with Pogo
Garrus is heading out to Saudi Arabia with Pogo (John Walton/PA)

Garrus was beaten a length into third by Highfield Princess in the Prix Maurice de Gheest but only ran once afterwards, when well beaten on Champions Day.

“The trip and track should really suit him,” Hills said. “We’ve been really pleased with his run-up to the race, and it looks a really good place to start him off this year.

“The prize money is so good out there and given it’s a race we think should play to his strengths, we’ve had it lined up for a while for him.”

Longsdon sets out Sidney Banks assignment for Rare Edition

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Charlie Longsdon’s unbeaten hurdler Rare Edition will head next for the Urban Logistics Reit Sidney Banks Memorial Novices’ Hurdle at Huntingdon.

The six-year-old was placed behind good horses in two point-to-points in Ireland, with Saint Davy and Kalanisi Star finishing ahead of him before going on to impress in their own early careers.

In a sole bumper start Rare Edition was a two-length winner, after which he transitioned to hurdling and has won three consecutive novices by a combined 27 and a half lengths.

A step up in grade and trip for the Listed Sidney Banks now awaits on February 9, with the gelding then holding entries for both the Supreme and Ballymore Novices’ Hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival.

“The plan is the Huntingdon race, the Sidney Banks, then we will have to go from there,” Longsdon said.

“He seems very well in himself, he jumped on Monday and worked on Tuesday morning. The plan will be to go there and take it from that race onward.”

Longsdon also provided an update on Tea For Free and Lilly Pinchin after their heavy fall at Doncaster in the Sky Bet Chase.

The combination started as 3-1 joint-favourites for the big handicap and were in contention up the home straight, but a fall at the second-last saw them crash out of the race and looked nasty for both horse and rider.

Pinchin sustained a broken collarbone as a result and faces several weeks on the sidelines, whereas Tea For Free will sit out the remainder of the season as he is given time to recover from the affects of the fall.

“Tea For Free is fine, he’s on box rest for a while as he ruptured some ligaments in a hind leg, but that should be fine for next season,” Longsdon said.

Tea For Free suffered a fall at Doncaster
Tea For Free suffered a fall at Doncaster (Nigel French/PA)

“I did think he was a goner but thankfully he’s OK, which is the main thing, and should be back next season.

“Lilly has done her collarbone, she tells me two weeks but I think it could be longer than that. She’s very tough!”

Muir waiting on scan results following Pyledriver setback

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William Muir faces an anxious wait for the scan results which could determine the future of his stable star Pyledriver following a new setback.

The six-year-old was last seen galloping to King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes glory at Ascot last summer, having since missed out on a tilt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe through injury.

The long road to recovery was set to lead to a trip to Meydan for another crack at the Dubai Sheema Classic, in which he finished an unlucky fourth in last year, but a fresh problem has curtailed that plan – as well as an intended prep race in the Winter Derby at Lingfield on February 25.

“When he pulled up after a piece of work he was a tiny bit off on his near-fore,” said Muir, who trains in partnership with Chris Grassick.

“He’s such a lovely individual who is never short or anything and we’ve just got to wait to get all the scans done and taken before we can say what we’re doing.

“I’ve spoke to the owners and I spoke to the vet and he said ‘I would forget the Winter Derby’.

“We would have been there no problem at all and the way he was going I know he hasn’t lost anything – he was in very good form.

“That is very disappointing, but we have to do what is right for the horse and we have to find out what it is.

“It’s minute, a lot of people would look at him and say he’s fine but I know him like the back of my hand and I know he was not right. When he pulled up yesterday the lad who rides him all the time said ‘Boss he just didn’t feel quite right’ and he just looks slightly off.”

With his Lingfield return off the table, Muir has also shelved plans for a return to Dubai on World Cup night and is now just hoping to receive positive news about a horse that he describes as a “special part of my life”.

“There’s no point, I’m not going to go straight there (Dubai),” continued Muir. “Those two races are gone and we basically have to see what the results tell us.

“If it is something we can cure and look after and get him 100 per cent where he’s not lost any ability then we will carry on. If we find it is something worse than that then we will have to deal with it and go on and make him a stallion somewhere.

Jockey PJ McDonald (right) celebrates on Pyledriver after winning the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot
Jockey PJ McDonald (right) celebrates on Pyledriver after winning the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot (John Walton/PA)

“To me there is a lot of countries in the world who would love a horse like this because he’s a lovely looking individual and he’s been a fantastic racehorse with a very high rating.

“That’s the furthest thought in my mind, but I’m trying to prepare myself for it because if that is the case, then that is the case. I’m hoping we get the results back in the next few days and it says this, this and this and we can manage it fine.

“The only thing though is that comes first is the horse – that is the reason we’ll wait. You have to do what is right for these animals.

“He has been one of the best things in my training career and a special part of my life, but it doesn’t matter if it was him or the horse running at Southwell on Tuesday night, you’ve always got to do what is right for the horses.”