Tag Archive for: Kempton

Paisley Park raises the roof at Kempton with Long Walk triumph

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Paisley Park raised the roof at Kempton by winning the rescheduled Ladbrokes Long Walk Hurdle.

Trainer Emma Lavelle had voiced concerns pre-race that staging the race at such a sharp track would not suit her stable star – and that looked sure to be proven right as the soon-to-be 11-year-old began to lose touch turning into the straight.

It was Champ, who had made all the running, who looked to hold all the aces as he was still travelling well for Jonjo O’Neill junior, while Goshen – trying three miles for the first time – had still to play his hand.

But as stamina possibly began to tell, Goshen had no more to give and Champ was soon sending out distress signals, too, as Aidan Coleman and his old partner began to stay on relentlessly.

On jumping the last Paisley Park (9-2) just took off in front and from there the result seemed inevitable as he powered away to win by four and a quarter lengths from Goshen to gain a fourth Grade One success.

Coleman told ITV Racing: “That’s three Long Walks he’s won now, two at Ascot and one at Kempton.

“I find it hard not to get emotional about him as he’s an absolute pleasure. He’s been a mainstay of my career for a long period of time, he’s taken me to places that I’m struggling to repeat – especially this year.

“The better horses I ride are getting a bit older apart from Jonbon, but then along comes this fellow and he is a testament to Emma and Barry (Fenton) and their team.

“He’s running in three-mile slogs for six years now, it’s nearly unheard of.”

He added: “He picked up well and going to the last I knew I’d win. I actually got the front too soon, I don’t think I’ve ever given him a good ride!”

Fenton, Lavelle’s partner and assistant, said: “It’s just unbelievable really, he pulls it out of the bag every time. He just seems to have that spark back this year.

“I was a bit worried over the first two hurdles but even tacking him up before the race, he just seemed right. He’s not even just a bit better than last year, he feels like he’s as good as we’ve had him. Last year everything was a bit hard work, even training him at home, but this year he seems bright and happy and enjoying himself. He’s one of those horses.

“This was probably his least favourite ground, but I said to Aidan that this is Paisley Park and you never know what is going to happen. To be fair I was happy going to the third-last and it was just when we landed at the back of it that all of a sudden we were under the pump and under it proper.

All smiles for connections of Paisley Park
All smiles for connections of Paisley Park (John Walton/PA)

“The dead ground probably helped us in the sense that the others came back to him and once he gets a feel that the others are coming back to him he’s at it again.

“He’s one of those horses and he always pulls through. We nearly lost him a couple of times, but he’s a fighter and he pulls through. He’s a poker player and I’d hate to play poker with him as you would not know what’s under his sleeve! That’s the way he trains at home, he takes his every day stuff with a pinch of salt but he’s an incredible horse.

“I’ve spoken to Emma and she’s happy and funnily enough I’ve spoken to Andrew (Gemmell, owner) on the phone. He’s down in Australia so I’m gutted for him that he’s not here, but at least the race was on after Ascot and I was giving him the commentary.

“I won’t say what he said at the end, but he was very happy anyways!”

Goshen jumped the last in third but battled back past Champ
Goshen jumped the last in third but battled back past Champ (John Walton/PA)

Of Goshen, Josh Moore, assistant to his father, Gary, said: “He ran well. You would rather run him over these trips or two and a half miles, but there are not many of them about, especially right-handed. You would have probably the race rather been at Ascot as that might have suited him a bit better. He has run well.

“He is only a six-year-old and both Paisley Park and Champ are 10 year-olds. Hopefully there will be other targets for him. We will give him another go over fences when it is heavy ground.”

Nicky Henderson said of Champ, who got the better of Paisley Park when they met in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury: “It was a great race, but he is better going the other way. Barney (Clifford, clerk of the course) said he was going to have some nice soft ground and well done them for putting it on and we are grateful for that, but he is better going the other way round. He does everything to his left.

“He could do that (go for the Cleeve). He is a very good horse when he is fresh though. We ummed and ahhed whether to go to Newbury or keep him fresh for the Long Walk and we opted for Newbury as we thought we had the opportunity there. It was a great race and we got that.

“I was very pleased when this was delayed a week as it gave him an extra week to freshen up a bit more. His jumping was a bit untidy at times as he wanted to go left and the course goes right. You could easily do that (keep him fresh for the Stayers’ Hurdle).It is not ducking or diving, he just loves to be fresh.”

Alan King hoping to blown away once again by Edwardstone

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Tingle Creek hero Edwardstone bids to make it back-to-back wins at Kempton’s Christmas Festival in the Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase.

Alan King’s stable star won the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase on the corresponding card 12 months ago before going on to claim Arkle glory at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

With intended comeback runs at Cheltenham and Ascot scuppered by unsuitable ground, Edwardstone was thrown in at the deep end on his belated reappearance at Sandown, but could hardly have been more impressive in beating defending champion Greaneteen and Shishkin.

The eight-year-old turns out a little over three weeks later for a race King sees as an ideal stepping-stone with a return to Cheltenham in mind.

“Edwardstone has come out of Sandown great, and this race fits in perfectly time-wise as it will enable him to then have a break through January before returning for his Queen Mother Champion Chase prep in the Game Spirit at Newbury in February,” the Barbury Castle handler said on his website.

Reflecting on his Tingle Creek triumph, he added: “It really did blow me away. I knew that Edwardstone would run well, but wasn’t expecting a performance like that first time out.

“He travelled and jumped super, but it was the manner in which he shot clear after the second last that took my breath away. It gave me a real buzz.”

The clear danger to Edwardstone is Nube Negra, who claimed this Grade Two prize two years ago for Dan and Harry Skelton when he defeated Altior.

Nube Negra on his way to winning the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham
Nube Negra on his way to winning the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham (David Davies/Jockey Club)

The Spanish-bred gelding was due to meet Edwardstone in Cheltenham’s Shloer Chase in November, but with King pulling out his charge Nube Negra predictably outclassed his remaining rivals.

“Our horse is really well. We beat Altior over two miles round here, so we’re not inconvenienced by the track and the going that day was officially soft. There’s not a lot to dislike really,” said Dan Skelton.

“It’s going to be hard to beat Edwardstone, we know that, but we’re happy with our horse.”

The Venetia Williams-trained Funambule Sivola finished best of the rest behind Energumene in last season’s Champion Chase, but was a long way behind Edwardstone when last of six in the Tingle Creek.

Mister Fisher (Nicky Henderson), Sizing Pottsie (David Pipe), Dolos (Paul Nicholls) and Editeur Du Gite (Gary Moore) complete the line-up.

Just four runners are set to go to post for the Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase, with Harry Fry’s Boothill setting the standard on his second placed finish to the exciting Jonbon in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase earlier in the month.

Fry told Sky Sports Racing: “He’s had a really good campaign so far and we were pleased to see Jonbon wasn’t among the entries for the Wayward Lad!

“We weren’t a match for Jonbon in the Henry VIII, but he’s an exceptional talent and I don’t think we were disgraced in finishing eight lengths behind him in second.

“There’s some other good novices in the race on Tuesday, so we’ve go to turn up and bring our best form to the table for sure, but he’s taking his races really well and seems to be on an upward curve again now and running with confidence. We’re looking forward to running him.”

The Skeltons are represented by Lac De Constance, who was three from three over hurdles and made a smart start to his chasing career at this track last month.

“It’s a step up in grade around a track that we’re comfortable at and on ground we’re happy with,” Skelton added.

“I’m very happy with him and happy to have a go. If we were to get beat we would step up to two-and-a-half, but I’m not thinking that way.

“With the way the ground is, I’d like to think he’s a very big player.”

Aucunrisque winning over hurdles at Wincanton
Aucunrisque winning over hurdles at Wincanton (David Davies/PA)

Chris Gordon’s Aucunrisque has a bit to find on ratings, but takes his chance due to a lack of suitable alternative options.

“I’ve had him in two or three races since his last run and everything kept getting cancelled. I popped him in here because there wasn’t really anything else that floated by boat at the moment,” said Gordon.

“It’s not normally my kind of style, but with races getting cancelled and one thing and another it’s pushed me a little bit towards running in a race like this.

“Hopefully we can pick up a bit of prize-money if we’re lucky.”

Glory And Fortune from Tom Lacey’s yard completes the quartet.

Kempton team poised for ‘sensational’ Boxing Day card

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The stage is set for a Boxing Day spectacular at Kempton, with clerk of the course Barney Clifford anticipating a “sensational” afternoon’s racing.

Following a spate of abandoned fixtures during the recent cold snap, a welcome rise in temperatures this week means a full programme is set to go ahead for one of the biggest days in the sport, with 11 meetings scheduled to take place across Britain and Ireland.

Kempton is very much the focus of attention on British soil, with the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase the centrepiece of a card enhanced by the Long Walk Hurdle, which was saved and rescheduled from last weekend’s abandoned card at Ascot.

Clifford has been the man in charge of the ground at the Sunbury track for over two decades – and after enjoying his usual course walk on Christmas Day morning, the former National Hunt jockey can hardly wait for the action to begin.

He said: “I’ve been here since 1999 and to have four Grade Ones on Boxing Day is sensational really.

“Sadly Ascot lost out with the Long Walk, but at least we’ve been able to stage and reschedule it, which has not happened here before in my time.

“We were all disappointed for all the other racecourses that lost key fixtures and revenue streams. We’re delighted it’s mild anyway.”

Clifford is expecting racegoers to flood through the Kempton gates both on Boxing Day and the following afternoon for another quality card, despite ongoing travel disruption.

He added: “There are tickets available, albeit limited. I wouldn’t put anyone off turning up.

Barney Clifford (right) at Kempton
Barney Clifford (right) at Kempton (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

“We’re expecting a good crowd both days with both days being Bank Holidays. The only thing that doesn’t help is us the fact there are no trains because of the strikes.

“Touch wood people will arrive early to enjoy the Ladbrokes Christmas Festival.”

In years gone by Clifford has taken the track on Christmas morning on horseback, with the top-class hurdler Harchibald among the Irish stars he has put through their paces.

He stays on the ground these days, but likes what he has seen from this year’s Irish King George challenger Envoi Allen, who is trained by Henry de Bromhead and will be ridden by Rachael Blackmore.

Clifford added: “It was fun back in the day. I used to ride Willie Mullins’ horses, Francois Doumen’s horses and Harchibald for Noel Meade, but I had to retire properly sometime!

Rachael Blackmore and Envoi Allen after winning at Down Royal
Rachael Blackmore and Envoi Allen after winning at Down Royal (PA)

“Envoi Allen arrived on Friday evening, cantered on Saturday morning and cantered again this morning.

“He looks amazing and has an amazing skin on him. Hopefully they’ll have a good trip.

“I think Envoi Allen might be the value of the race. When I last looked he was 7-1 or 8-1 and you think to yourself if he hadn’t had a little hiccup along the way he’d be 2-1.”

Assessing the King George field overall, he said: “The one thing you need around here is speed. I’ve always said Bravemansgame is my A horse so to speak, but in saying that I think the ground might have come for Envoi.

“It will be a hell of a race. There are other horses in there and at a big price I wouldn’t rule out Royale Pagaille. He’s got form around here and needs a dig in the ground.”

As far as the all important going is concerned, Clifford views it as perfect jumping ground.

He added: “It’s lovely ground really. I’ll keep it at soft, but there is better ground around there is no question about that. It walks better than it will probably ride, but we’ll see what the jockeys say.

“The sky looks full of rain but it’s not raining at the moment. There’s heavy showers forecast today, but hopefully Boxing Day will be a dry day with a bit of luck.

“We had 20 millimetres of rain on Friday in the end. We had 18mm in an hour and a half and then a heavy shower in the afternoon giving us another two millimetres.

“Obviously a lot of people out there have been doing a rain dance – I wanted them to stop at about 10am on Friday! We had a dry day on Saturday and then a bit of dampness overnight, but nothing measurable.”

Bravemansgame leads Nicholls’ chase for 13th King George crown

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Paul Nicholls saddles a third of the field as he bids to add a remarkable 13th Ladbrokes King George VI Chase to his trophy cabinet.

The Ditcheat handler’s name is the one constant on the roll of honour for Kempton’s Boxing Day feature in modern history and the race’s most successful trainer – who has won three of the last four and saddled the second, third and fourth when drawing a blank 12 months ago – is well represented at the top of the market once again.

Headlining the Nicholls trio is Bravemansgame, who has been earmarked as a King George winner since his novice hurdling days and now gets the chance to fulfil his trainer’s prophecy following a winning return in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby.

“He looks in good shape and we have had a great preparation with him,” said the 13-times champion trainer.

“He went to the Charlie Hall and he was probably ready enough to run as he did, but he wasn’t fully wound up. He travelled well and jumped well and won nicely.

“We have done a lot with him since then as we want him ready for his life on Monday. He has had a great preparation and looks fantastic. He has got plenty of condition on him.

“He used to go a little bit light on us after Christmas, but we found out he had problems with ulcers and we are on top of that now. We have changed the feed this season which has been big plus all across the board and the horses look great.”

Joining Bravemansgame on the teamsheet is Hitman, who has always threatened to make his mark in Grade One competition and threw his hat into the ring with a bloodless victory at Haydock in November.

Trainer Paul Nicholls with his King George candidates (left to right) Frodon, Bravemansgame and Hitman during a visit to Manor Farm Stables
Trainer Paul Nicholls with his King George candidates (left to right) Frodon, Bravemansgame and Hitman during a visit to Manor Farm Stables (David Davies/PA)

Nicholls continued: “Hitman is rated 160 which is only 4lb behind Bravemansgame, which isn’t a long way. He has been placed in a Tingle Creek, Haldon Gold Cup and other Grade One races and he is only six years old.

“Clan (Des Obeaux) won the King George for the first time as a six-year-old rated 160, so he is on the right sort of lines. He was always going to improve as he got stronger and better and he has achieved a lot for a young horse.

“He ran well in the Old Roan the first time when needing the run. He ran very well at Haydock the last day, just having a canter round but he jumped brilliantly. I think three miles will bring plenty of improvement in him. You can see he is a fine, big chaser.”

It is a former King George hero that completes the Ditcheat collective, with 2020’s shock 20-1 champion Frodon out to cause another surprise in the hands of ever-willing pilot Bryony Frost – who has recovered from injury in time to continue her long association with the popular 10-year-old.

Bryony Frost riding Frodon (left) clear the last to win the King George VI Chase at Kempton in 2020
Bryony Frost riding Frodon (left) clear the last to win the King George VI Chase at Kempton in 2020 (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

“He will have had a nice gap between Haydock Park and Kempton and he never stops surprising you at his age,” Nicholls added.

“Whether he has got the legs of the younger horses is debatable, but he will be there or thereabouts and he will give Bryony a fantastic ride.

“He has been there done it and got the t-shirt and he is certainly as good now as he has ever been. It would want to be a near career-best for him to win, but you never know with him.

“You have to respect him as he is a previous winner of the race, but he has got plenty to do against those younger lads as he is 10 going on 11. But look at Kauto Star – he won it as an 11-year-old.”

Disputing favouritism with Bravemansgame is Venetia Williams’ Cheltenham Festival scorer L’Homme Presse, who tuned up for this with a weight-carrying masterclass in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle.

However, Williams, who won the race in 1998 with Teeton Mill, is doubly represented in the Grade One contest with course-and-distance scorer and Cheltenham Gold Cup fifth Royale Pagaille, who is set to make his seasonal bow at the Sunbury track.

“We hoped to have him out a lot earlier than this, but he had a small setback with his wither in the middle of November so he has missed a bit of time,” said Joe Chambers, racing manager to owner Rich Ricci.

“It was either here, the Welsh National or the Rowland Meyrick and as much as we are very happy to run in a Welsh National and in handicaps off top-weight, we didn’t think three-miles-six first time up was going to be the right thing to do with a view to the rest of the season.

Royale Pagaille, here running in the Denman Chase at Newbury, has been handed an assignment in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day
Royale Pagaille, here running in the Denman Chase at Newbury, has been handed an assignment in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day (Steven Paston/PA)

“Then when you look at the King George versus the Rowland Meyrick, he is a course-and-distance winner and the prize-money goes a bit deeper, so we thought we may as well go to familiar territory and get the season started there.

“The rain is coming which will suit him, but you would love to be going into this year’s King George with conditions the way they are and the field the way it is with a run behind you, but unfortunately we don’t.

“You can’t win unless you have a ticket for the game. Hopefully he can put his best foot forward and then we can crack on from the race for the rest of the year.”

Envoi Allen is the sole Irish representative in the field as he looks to follow up Tornado Flyer’s victory for the raiders last year.

“I think it was a proper Grade One performance last time. It was a good race and it is always a hard race to win, but he did it well in the end,” said trainer Henry de Bromhead of the eight-year-old’s Down Royal victory in November.

“He has got a really high cruising speed, but it was lovely to see him run through the line like he did and it looks like three miles really does suit him.

“It is great to see him back over a more realistic trip for him. The trip was unknown at Down Royal. but it was great to see him do it as well as he did.”

Lucinda Russell’s Grade One-winning novice Ahoy Senor, Alex Hales’ Millers Bank and Joe Tizzard’s Eldorado Allen complete the line-up, with the latter runner-up in both the Charlie Hall and Betfair Chase this term.

“He seems in really good form and we’ve been chuffed with his couple of runs so far this season,” said Tizzard.

“It’s a hot King George and we would need a bit of a surprise to go and win it, but he has run well there in the past and proven he stays three miles well this year, so I see no reason why he can’t run into a place.

“He seems like he’s in good form at home and if he runs a lifetime best, he will have a nice each-way chance.”

Presse camp conceding ‘home’ advantage to Bravemansgame at Kempton

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Connections of Ladbrokes King George VI Chase favourite L’Homme Presse admit they are “playing away” when taking on Bravemansgame in the mouthwatering Boxing Day feature at Kempton.

The Venetia Williams-trained L’Homme Presse recorded a comfortable victory in his comeback run under Charlie Deutsch in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle.

Though the winning margin was a length, the manner of the weight-carrying performance makes him a general 6-1 chance for the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Last season he powered to success in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham and suffered his sole defeat in seven chase starts when Ahoy Senor turned the tables in the Mildmay at Aintree.

Similarly, that was also the race in which the Paul Nicholls-trained Bravemansgame tasted his only fencing defeat and that rival opened this campaign in style, scoring readily in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby under Harry Cobden.

Now the pair are set to lock horns again in the three-mile showpiece at the Sunbury circuit.

“I was at Taunton on Tuesday with a runner and I walked the course,” said co-owner Andy Edwards, who runs his horses under the DFA Racing banner.

“Harry Cobden was coming off the course and we had a little chat in general.

“I said to him it is very simple. If this was a football match, we’d say you were playing at home and we are playing away from home.

“If the match was at Cheltenham, we’d be playing at home, and you’d be away from home.

“That doesn’t mean teams don’t win away from home, but that is the edge they have on us.”

Kempton’s flat track could play to the strengths of Bravemansgame as he bids to give the champion trainer a record 13th success in the Grade One event.

However, Edwards, who owns the seven-year-old with Pam Edwards and Peter and Pat Pink, is just pleased to have a runner in the illustrious race.

L'Homme Presse, Hereford
L’Homme Presse with co-owner Andy Edwards (Simon Milham/PA)

He added: “We are massively excited. It is like a drawn out version of Countdown with the clock ticking.

“We are looking forward to a fantastic King George – there is only one King George – and it is an absolute honour and privilege to not only have a horse with a chance in it, but a favourite’s chance in such a prestigious race.

“All four of us have come from a similar place as racehorse fans and for us to be on this stage is wonderful and amazing, and very, very humbling. That’s how we all feel.

“Pam worked for the Tote for 30 years before Betfred bought it out. She started in the Putney office and started as a Saturday girl before that in the East End of London.

“And for Peter and Pat, the four of us to be on that stage, with our horse that we adore, it really is a fairytale story.”

Venetia Williams will hope Kempton sees plenty of rain ahead of the big Boxing Day date
Venetia Williams will hope Kempton sees plenty of rain ahead of the big Boxing Day date (Mike Egerton/PA)

Recent rain – with the potential for more to come – has led to the ground easing and L’Homme Presse was imperious in the mud when dispatching Ahoy Senor over an extended three miles at the Cheltenham Festival, looking every inch a Gold Cup horse.

Bravemansgame, meanwhile, has already won over the sharper three miles at Kempton, taking the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase on the same card last year. All of which sets up a potentially titanic clash.

“I have faith in everything,” said Edwards. “I have complete faith in the horse, complete faith in the trainer and complete faith in the jockey. So when people ask if I’m getting nervous, I’m not. I’m getting excited.

“It will be what it will be, and I truly hope it will be a magnificent spectacle for everyone involved.

“That is for the people watching, people involved with their horses – that is what racing needs, magnificent spectacles.

“And if we can be part of creating a magnificent spectacle, may the best horse on the day win, may they all come back happy and safe and that everyone has had a great day out watching sport – because that is what it is. It is sport. Let’s all be sporting about it.

“Let’s all cheer the winner, the second, third and fourth, whoever wins any race. Let’s all be sporting about it, which is what DFA Racing is founded upon.”

McFabulous chance of another Kauto Star success for Nicholls

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McFabulous and Gelino Bello give Paul Nicholls the ace hand in his bid for a record sixth victory in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton.

The Ditcheat handler is currently tied with Nicky Henderson in a race he won most recently with King George favourite Bravemansgame 12 months ago, and appears intent on adding to his tally.

As the choice of stable jockey Harry Cobden, McFabulous is the favourite for this year’s renewal, having claimed a second win over fences in impressive style at Newbury last month.

Bryony Frost is called up to partner his stablemate Gelino Bello, who was a Grade One winner over hurdles at Aintree in the spring and is two from two since being sent over the larger obstacles.

Nicholls told Betfair: “He doesn’t mind a bit of cut in the ground, he just doesn’t want deep, heavy ground on a stiff track. He’ll be fine, a small field suits him and he’s improved massively for jumping fences.

“He looks fantastic, the best shape he’s been in and he’s probably the one to beat.

“Gelino Bello is a very smart horse, he’s won his last four but lacks a bit of experience as he’s only been in small fields, so we thought we’d let him take his chance and it will put him in good stead win, lose or draw for the spring.

“You can’t rule the others out, it’s a good race.”

Thyme Hill has a point to prove
Thyme Hill has a point to prove (David Davies/PA)

The clear threat to the Nicholls pair is the Philip Hobbs-trained Thyme Hill.

The top-class staying hurdler was six and a half lengths behind McFabulous at Newbury, however, prompting connections to reach for the cheekpieces ahead of the rematch.

Nicholls’ former protege Dan Skelton is represented by exciting mare Galia Des Liteaux, with Fergal O’Brien’s Mortlach completing the quintet.

Henderson hoping for Christmas masterclass from Constitution Hill

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Nicky Henderson is feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement as the brilliant Constitution Hill prepares to strut his stuff once more in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.

The five-year-old looked a star in the making last season, with 14 and 12-length Sandown wins followed by a scarcely believable 22-length romp in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

And having seen his charge pick up where he left off in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle last month, Henderson recognises anything less than fireworks on Boxing Day will leave many underwhelmed.

“He seems to be absolutely fine. He did a bit of work last week, Nico (de Boinville) rode him then and Sean who rides him all the time is very happy with him,” the Seven Barrows handler told Unibet.

“It’s difficult because everybody is getting to the point where only one thing will satisfy everybody, so he’s going to have to keep producing these ridiculous performances. Let’s hope he can.

“You are very lucky to find horses like these. It was the same with Sprinter Sacre and Altior so there is no point bemoaning the fact people want to know about them, I’m enjoying it and I hope Michael (Buckley, owner) is too.

“The trouble is these horses are so fickle, everything has got to keep going the right way. His last three performances were pretty amazing by any standards and he’s got to keep at that level and keep in one piece too – that’s where we come in.

“There’s a certain amount of responsibility and a certain amount of trepidation about it.”

The biggest threat to Constitution Hill appears to be his stablemate Epatante, who is no slouch herself as a Champion Hurdle heroine and dual Christmas Hurdle winner.

Epatante winning last year's Christmas Hurdle
Epatante winning last year’s Christmas Hurdle (Steven Paston/PA)

But she was 12 lengths behind Constitution Hill when bidding for a third Fighting Fifth last month – and after an intended tilt at Cheltenham’s International Hurdle was scuppered by the weather, Henderson has little option but to let them lock horns once more.

He added: “Epatante is in very good form herself. She won this last year by miles and is a very good mare.

“Having missed the International, we are almost forced to run her – there’s nowhere else to go.

“I was quite keen to try her over further, but they (owner JP McManus’ team) were quite keen to run again and the prize-money is good, so they’ll take each other on.

“At least they can’t say we are ducking and diving!”

Metier winning the November Handicap at Doncaster
Metier winning the November Handicap at Doncaster (Nigel French/PA)

Alan King saddles stable stalwart Sceau Royal, while Harry Fry’s Metier reverts to the jumping game after winning the November Handicap on the Flat at Doncaster.

“We were delighted with that run back on the Flat at Doncaster and we’ve been waiting for his conditions,” Fry told Sky Sports Racing.

“Like so many others, plans A, B and C have gone out the window. We were training him for Ascot last weekend and he was in at Lingfield on Monday, which was sadly lost to the weather as well.

“This was not necessarily high up on our list of races, but he’s ready to run and needs to run. We’re taking our chance and with a clear round, hopefully we can pick up a bit of prize-money.

“He won so well at Lingfield last year on their valuable Winter Million card and we’re hoping to go back there with him.”

Chris Gordon’s outsider Highway One O Two completes the line-up.

Kirstenbosch has Pride Stakes date on her radar

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The Pride Stakes at Newmarket could be the next objective for Kirstenbosch after chasing home the brilliant Enable at Kempton on Saturday.

James Fanshawe’s filly was a 33-1 shot for the Group Three September Stakes, having finished fifth in the Upavon Fillies’ Stakes at Salisbury last month on what was her first competitive appearance of 2020.

And while the daughter of Mount Nelson was predictably no match for John Gosden’s dual Arc heroine, Kirstenbosch delighted her connections as she narrowly beat the globetrotting Melbourne Cup contender Prince Of Arran to the runner-up spot.

Fanshawe said: “Poor old Kirstenbosch, she barely got a mention! Obviously all the attention was on Enable and nobody really noticed Kirstenbosch ran the race of her life to be second.

“She got some black type, which was the plan, and we were delighted with her.

“We might look at the Pride Stakes at Newmarket (October 9) next.”

The Newmarket handler was similarly pleased with the performance of stable stalwart The Tin Man in the Sprint Cup at Haydock.

The Tin Man performed creditably in his third Sprint Cup
The Tin Man performed creditably in his third Sprint Cup (Clint Hughes/PA)

Winner of the race in 2018 and narrowly denied by Hello Youmzain in last year’s renewal, the eight-year-old finished sixth on this occasion, but was beaten only four lengths.

Fanshawe would like to lower The Tin Man’s sights in an attempt to help him bag a first win since his triumph on Merseyside two years ago.

He added: “He ran a good race. The draw didn’t help. I don’t like making excuses, (but) if he’d been drawn on the other side he might have finished a bit closer.

“He’s come out of the race very well. He seems to have been in as good a form as he’s ever been this year at home and he’s run three very good races, I think.

“It would be nice to find him something a bit easier, but there aren’t many opportunities for him – you’ve got the Bengough Stakes at Ascot two weeks before the Champions Sprint, otherwise you’re looking at five and seven-furlong races.”

Fanshawe also ran 50-1 outsider Archer’s Dream in the Sprint Cup, but she was ultimately well-beaten in 10th place.

He said: “We were probably asking a bit much from her, but having won over the course and distance on soft ground the time before, we decided to give it a go as you never know what can happen in these races.

“She seems fine since and I think we might drop her back to five furlongs next time.”