Tag Archive for: Nicky Henderson

Jonbon has Henderson in celebration mode at Sandown

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Jonbon proved a point for Nicky Henderson, taking on and beating senior rivals over two miles in the bet365 Celebration Chase at Sandown.

Sent off the 8-13 favourite for the Grade One feature, Aidan Coleman’s mount, who was runner-up in the Arkle Challenge Trophy to El Fabiolo, had bounced back to score at Aintree on his previous start.

It was something of a surprise Henderson decided to run him again, given his busy back-end to the season, and in open company.

It was not all plain sailing for the brother of Douvan, however. Having led early against his four rivals, he made two jumping errors and was briefly shuffled back to last.

Coleman gave him plenty of time to get his act together and he was soon on the bridle again, and was back in contention by the Pond Fence, where Champion Chase runner-up Captain Guinness and Rachael Blackmore had asserted.

Beating off Greaneteen, who had won this race for the past two years, the pair had it to themselves over the last two fences, but Jonbon’s stamina kicked in, and a superb jump at the last sealed the deal for the three-and-three-quarter-length winner.

Jonbon was cut to 4-1 from 6-1 with Coral for next season’s Ryanair Chase and 6-1 (from 10s) for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Henderson said: “It was brave (running him). We had ummed and ahhed all week. I’ve been in Punchestown all week and the boys have been getting this fellow ready – Paddy (Murphy) who rides him every day, and Charlie (Morlock), who is my right-hand man, I’ve been talking to them every day and there was just no reason not to run him.

“It is very un-Henderson like sort of tactics. There was no reason I could find (not to run. I was talking to JP (McManus) for three days and he said you have got to earn your corn as you are the trainer. That was my final deciding ball, that if we take these two-milers on we will meet next season and cope with them then we can start thinking of Tingle Creek and things like that next season.

Jonbon in action under Aidan Coleman
Jonbon in action under Aidan Coleman (Steven Paston/PA)

“That (mistake down the back) was the only thing that was probably novicey about him today. It was one where he didn’t know which way to go. He had been very long at the ditch and he just didn’t quite make his mind up. To come back from that as a novice, I think that makes a man of him. Three fences later he is back on the bridle as if nothing had happened but something had happened, something quite significant in fact had happened.

“A lot of horses would have dropped themselves out after that mistake, but I think that is testament to his engine.”

Reflecting on Cheltenham, the Seven Barrows trainer said: “Cheltenham was disappointing. I was worried when this ground was going soft as I didn’t want the chase course going soft as I do think he is a better horse on good ground. He didn’t jump as well as he could at Cheltenham, but take nothing away from the winner (El Fabiolo) who again looked fabulous at Punchestown.

“Two years ago it was Energuemene versus Shishkin. Now the next dust-up is going to be El Fabiolo and Jonbon. It is one all (between them). I do (think on better ground we can get the better of him). I was mighty impressed with El Fabiolo the other day. We have proved today we can take on the best two-milers.

“Today bar one he was excellent and he will be excellent again at Cheltenham I hope next year and there is a lot to look forward to.”

Hugely popular Buzz heads for long and happy retirement

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Cesearwitch and Ascot Hurdle winner Buzz has been retired by Nicky Henderson and owners Thurloe Thoroughbreds.

The popular grey captured the public’s imagination with a string of tough staying performances on the Flat and over hurdles for the Seven Barrows yard.

As a seven-year-old in October 2021 he captured the Cesarewitch under Oisin Murphy and the following month took the Grade Two Ascot Hurdle in the hands of Nico de Boinville.

However, he suffered a fractured pelvis on the eve of the Long Walk Hurdle and while he subsequently recovered to make a comeback after 508 days off in the Further Flight Stakes at Nottingham earlier this month, he finished last of five to Rajinsky.

In a statement, Thurloe Thoroughbreds said: “Our Cesarewitch and Ascot Hurdle star Buzz, who recovered so remarkably from a pelvis fracture last year, has been retired.

“It was a massive achievement getting Buzz back on the racecourse last week after a year and a half off. He was eased down after getting tired in heavy ground and although he was fine after the run he was lame and sore after the next day.

“It was a muscular lameness which flared up as a result of reusing muscles he hasn’t used for such a long time.

“We have discussed with Buzz’s vet Dave Matheson and have agreed that persevering with Buzz in training would be very tough on him as even though he is fit, well and enjoying his training, he does put so much into his work and his racing that he may always be a bit lame and sore afterwards.

“Therefore we have made the bittersweet decision to retire Buzz from racing.

“Buzz brought Thurloe on the most unbelievable journey from day one, throwing his all into every race he competed in.

Buzz and Nico de Boinville (left) took the Ascot Hurdle
Buzz and Nico de Boinville (left) took the Ascot Hurdle (Nigel French/PA)

“It was always going to be a huge achievement to get him back onto the track and we are so grateful for all of those who have been part of the process from Nicky Henderson and everyone at Seven Barrows, Dave Matheson, Charlie and Tracy Vigors at Hillwood Stud, Greta Mason and Matt Buckland and, of course, Reggie Pallas who has been devoted to him as his work rider and loyal partner from day one.

“Buzz’s character has made him a horse to follow but the fact that he has contributed to raising upwards of £150,000 for our charity endeavours, The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, has made it even more special.

“We are delighted that Buzz will retire with a happy and long life ahead of him with Reggie, who will be able to have him himself.

“He will have a summer off now and hopefully there will be plenty of wonderful adventures for him and Reggie to discover in their next chapter together. He has been a joy for us in every way to own and we are so happy he can have a long and healthy retirement.

“Thank you for the memories Buzz, you are, and always will be, a horse of a lifetime.”

Caribean Boy picks up silver spoils at Cheltenham

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Nicky Henderson was delighted to raise a glass to Caribean Boy, who caused a 28-1 upset in landing the Matt Hampson Foundation Silver Trophy Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.

Daryl Jacob’s mount had dropped 3lb below his last winning mark at Kempton 15 months previously, and he came with a withering run up the hill in the extended two-and-a-half-mile feature, passing long-time pace-setter Gemirande inside the final half furlong to score by four lengths.

Gemirande was demoted to third behind Super Six, who was hampered in the closing stages.

Henderson was delighted, if a little surprised, and quipped: “It has been a long time between drinks and I get thirsty!

“The only thing I was gagging to do was run him in the Topham, because I thought he was made for it, but he doesn’t like big fields.

“You can see Daryl has gone round them and given him plenty of daylight all the way. It was his first run back after a wind operation and it is noticeable at home how much lower he has been carrying his head than he was before.

“It is great to see him back. He’s a lovely horse and a good friend. He enjoyed it and has always jumped great.”

Jacob added: “He was a very good horse when he won at Newbury in November 2020 and I thought he was going to be the next Bristol De Mai, but it hasn’t worked out that way.

“He is still a very talented horse. For the ability he has, we were hoping for a lot better, but it’s good to get the ‘W’ today.”

Willaston/Cheltenham
Willaston and Jamie Hamilton scored for Mark Walford (Simon Milham/PA)

Evan Williams’ 12-year-old former Paddy Power Gold Cup winner, Coole Cody, who made much of the pace before tiring, was retired after the race. He won nine of 42 races, earning over £340,000 in prize-money.

Willaston similarly helped the bookmakers with a 33-1 success in the Kingston Stud Handicap Hurdle scoring by three-quarters of a length under Jamie Hamilton.

Winning trainer Mark Walford said: “I thought he gave him a lovely, patient ride. We were coming here and thinking we had half a chance of a place, but didn’t think we’d be winning.

“He had a good run at Bangor last time and was always going to come on a bit for that. He is a chaser in the making, so there’s a lot to look forward to.”

Tim Vaughan is having a great season back in the big time and bottom-weight Madera Mist ran out a game 14-1 winner of the Gloucester Brewery Handicap Chase under Alan Johns.

Owners Paul and Louise Bowtell saw their patience rewarded by the mare who has not been easy to condition.

Vaughan said: “She is tricky to catch right. She is very particular. She has problems with her bloods consistently, she’ll tire consistently – lactic acid build-up in her muscles.

“We try to prime her for Cheltenham. She stays forever and loves it round here, so we target this meeting every year and she has won three times around here.

“I can’t explain how nice a feeling it is to repay Paul and Louise’s faith and patience with me.

“For it to come off on the day, we’re thrilled. It is a phenomenal win really.”

Gordon Elliott/Cheltenham
Gordon Elliott gives the thumbs up after The Friday Man’s success (Simon Milham/PA)

The burgeoning partnership of trainer Gordon Elliott and jockey Sean Bowen, whom many see as a champion of the future, was on the mark when The Friday Man (9-2) took the Citipost Novices’ Hurdle.

Elliott said: “He’s a nice horse and won a couple of hurdle races for us last year. He’s a novice for a while and so we thought we’d take our chance.

“We will try to support Sean now as much as we can for the summer. We’ll let the bandwagon roll for the next few months and will bring as many over for him as we can.

“It just kind of works. He is first jockey to Olly (Murphy) now and we like to use him.”

The Friday Man/Sean Bowen/Cheltenham
Sean Bowen and Gordon Elliott teamed up to score with The Friday Man (Simon Milham/PA)

He added: “I’d say no doubt he will be champion jockey one day. He has Brian Hughes in front of him, but he’s young and has time on his side.”

Captain Cattistock justified 9-2 favouritism when taking the Weatherite Air Conditioning Handicap Chase under a never-say-die ride from 3lb claimer Liam Harrison.

Captain Cattistock/Cheltenham
Captain Cattistock took the same race as he did last year under Liam Harrison (Simon Milham/PA)

The 10-year-old, who missed the cut for the Grand National field, was winning the three-and-a-quarter-mile event for a second successive year.

Trainer Fergal O’Brien said: “He is a phenomenal horse. He seldom runs a bad race here and seldom runs a bad race full stop. Liam gave him a lovely ride.

“This was always plan A. Most years we wouldn’t get anywhere near (Aintree) anyway.”

Sam Twiston-Davies displayed his talents as he kept Broadway Boy (3-1) up to his game in landing the Safran Landing Systems Handicap Hurdle for his father, trainer Nigel.

Broadway Boy/Cheltenham
Broadway Boy has a bright future according to Sam Twiston-Davies (Simon Milham/PA)

The five-year-old had to fend off Hurricane Harvey and Santos Blue, but he dug deep to score by three-quarters of a length.

The winning jockey said: “He was good today, very brave and has a great attitude. He will make into a nice staying chaser, hopefully.”

National field size should stay as it is, says Henderson

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Calls for the number of runners in the Grand National to be reduced in the aftermath of Saturday’s big race at Aintree have been given a firm thumbs down by Nicky Henderson.

The master of Seven Barrows, who has yet to break his duck in the big race, thought for a brief moment that long-time leader Mister Coffey was going to win the first chase of his career when three lengths clear at the penultimate fence, only to tire and finish eighth under Nico de Boinville.

“There was a moment,” laughed Henderson. “The only thing you could say, is if people are going to protest about what horses do, have you ever, ever, ever seen a horse not enjoy himself more?

“He absolutely loved it, didn’t he? It is absolutely living proof that this is what these horses want to do.

“There is the odd one that gets a bit sulky at times, but watching most of these horses, that can only tell you one thing – they love their job.”

The start of the four-and-a-quarter-mile handicap was delayed by almost 15 minutes as animal rights protesters got on to the Liverpool course and attempted to secure themselves to railings and fences.

The delay meant that horses, who were already saddled and in the parade ring, were removed for a time, returning to the saddling boxes and pre-parade ring.

When the race was eventually given the go-ahead, Hill Sixteen, who had never before fallen, suffered a fatal injury at the first fence and five others were unseated. Two more fell at the second fence, although none fell thereafter.

Henderson scoffed at suggestions that the field size – 39 horses lined up from a maximum of 40 runners – is too big and hinted that the delay caused by protesters may have affected some horses more than others.

He said: “It doesn’t do them any good, but to be fair, everybody did their best and did as good a job as they could to get the race going.

“They did well to get wind of what was going to happen and what they (protestors) were planning. I think we all expected it to happen. They were going to have a go, but it was a pretty pathetic show.

“There are certain horses that it would affect. With Mister Coffey, it didn’t worry him.

“I just let his girths out after they went back to the top paddock. That is a reasonable thing to do, because once you tighten their girths, they know what they are doing.

“He was very good, but if it had been Jonbon, it would have been a shambles. It would have been game over. He couldn’t have taken that (delay).

Jonbon recorded a facile win in the Magull Novices' Chase under Aidan Coleman
Jonbon recorded a facile win in the Magull Novices’ Chase under Aidan Coleman (Mike Egerton/PA)

“But as to suggestions we need to reduce the field size, no. We should have had a reserve.

“It is part of the spectacle. That is what the race is all about. The start is always going to be difficult with 40 horses – everyone wants to be up there, of course they do.

“But it’s the essence of the race. We are not fiddling around with some little gymkhana, you know.

“The race wasn’t helped by the protesters and it depends on your horse, but Mister Coffey is not someone who is going to get himself in a fuss.

“Had it been Jonbon, it would have been a different ball game.”

Eight-year-old Mister Coffey will be campaigned with the National in mind next season, following his excellent showing.

Henderson with Marie’s Rock, who was overhauled in the Liverpool Hurdle
Henderson with Marie’s Rock, who was overhauled in the Liverpool Hurdle (David Davies/PA)

Though he has yet to win in nine starts over fences, he has been running in very good company. Runner-up in last year’s Kim Muir at Cheltenham, he has twice finished as bridesmaid in two decent handicaps this season before finishing placed in the National Hunt Chase on returning to the Festival meeting last month.

Henderson added: “Of course we are going to build around the National next year.

“Mind you, I’m going to try to win a race with him first.

“He has been a bit unlucky, but it is not as if we have gone down to the bottom level to try to win a maiden chase.

“He’s been to the Cheltenhams and Aintrees and I would have thought we’d go to the same route to the end, but maybe the sensible thing to do is to try to win a couple of little races before Christmas then put him by for Cheltenham and then the National. He is improving.”

Though Jonbon gave Henderson and jockey Aidan Coleman an easy success in the Magull Novices’ Chase to open Saturday’s card, the trainer was still scratching his head after Marie’s Rock was overhauled by Sire Du Berlais in the Liverpool Hurdle.

The Stayers’ Hurdle winner looked well held turning for home, but came with a remarkable rattle to outstay his rivals, with Marie’s Rock having looked all over the winner under De Boinville when leading on the bridle jumping the penultimate flight.

Henderson, who also saddled eventual fifth Champ, added: “No one saw that winner coming. I knew where the winner was because he was in the JP (McManus) colours upsides Champ at the back the whole time.

“I was always looking back to see where Champ was and the winner was going worse than Champ. Quite a lot worse!

“You couldn’t believe it. When we arrived on the bridle two out, you could not believe that was going to happen.

“She’s fine this morning. She will go three miles all year now.”

Marie’s ready to Rock in Liverpool Hurdle

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Marie’s Rock will finally get a crack at three miles when she goes to post for the Jrl Group Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree.

Connections had mooted a move up in trip for the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival before electing to defend her Mares’ Hurdle crown over an intermediate distance.

However, having seen her four-race winning run come to an end at Prestbury Park, the Nicky Henderson-trained eight-year-old will now test her mettle in the staying division, with the flat three miles of the Merseyside track identified as the perfect examination of her credentials.

“It was well documented it was a 50-50 last minute decision whether we stepped up or didn’t at Cheltenham,” said Tom Palin of owners Middleham Park Racing.

“I still think we made the right decision as it was very testing there at Cheltenham and I think this looks a slightly more open rendition of a three-mile Grade One.

“Her trainer has been quite vocal all year that he would like to see her over three miles. The jockey (Nico de Boinville) is very confident she will see out the trip and after her performance in the Relkeel, I want to jump on the bandwagon as well. It’s been something we’ve been wanting to try for the last couple of months and we’re finally going to do it.

“I think Aintree seems the sensible place to have a look at three miles. She’s never been round there but has a lot of form at flat tracks, so there is no reason to think she wouldn’t act round there. As much as Cheltenham is her spiritual home, this should be fine for her and she’s in good form.”

Marie’s Rock was sent off the 9-4 joint favourite when beaten 15 lengths at the Cheltenham Festival, but with the mare showing no ill effects in the aftermath, Palin is keen to put a line through that outing as she looks to regain the winning thread in the her first visit to the north west.

“We’re happy to put a line through Cheltenham,” he continued. “The Mares’ was an unsatisfactory race in the way it was run.

“It was run at a very sedate pace and the two on the front just got soft leads and were able to wind it up at the correct time. That left horses like ourselves and Epatante on the back foot and unable to land a blow.

“Nothing came to light with our mare afterwards and I would hope to see a truer run race here, which means she will be able to settle and in theory we should see her finishing burst quickening off an already good tempo.

Trainer Nicky Henderson and Marie’s Rock during a visit to Nicky Henderson’s stables at Seven Barrows in Lambourn
Trainer Nicky Henderson and Marie’s Rock during a visit to Nicky Henderson’s stables at Seven Barrows in Lambourn (David Davies/PA)

“She will either stay or she will not. We will not be riding her to get the trip, we’ll just settle her in mid-div and whenever Nico feels the time is right to unleash her up that straight, we will find out if she stays or she doesn’t.”

Stayers’ Hurdle champion Sire Du Berlais accounted for Gavin Cromwell’s Flooring Porter in this 12 months ago and Gordon Elliott will be hoping lighting strikes twice for his stable stalwart following his heroic Prestbury Park triumph last month.

“Sire Du Berlais seems in great order since Cheltenham,” said the Cullentra House handler.

“He has a habit of running one massive race a year and that’s what he did at Cheltenham, but hopefully he can find another big performance here.”

As well as the defending champion, owner JP McManus can also count on the services of Champ who is another in the race for Seven Barrows handler Henderson.

Dashel Drasher further represents the Stayers’ Hurdle form, with Jeremy Scott’s admirably consistent 10-year-old attempting to go one better than his Cheltenham second, while Home By The Lee struck twice in Ireland before finishing fifth – beaten only three and three-quarter lengths – at the Festival.

“He seems in good shape and we’re looking forward to going to Aintree with him – we think the track will suit him,” said trainer Joseph O’Brien.

Home By The Lee ridden by jockey JJ Slevin (left) jumps the last hurdle on their way to winning the Jack de Bromhead Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown
Home By The Lee ridden by jockey JJ Slevin (left) jumps the last hurdle on their way to winning the Jack de Bromhead Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown (Niall Carson/PA)

“He did well to finish as close as he did in Cheltenham after the mistake he made.

“We’re hoping for a good run from him in what looks a good race.”

Oliver McKiernan’s Meet And Greet was third to Home By The Lee at Leopardstown over Christmas and was last seen finishing runner-up to Blazing Khal in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan.

He returns to three miles which could be a positive, while attempting the trip for the first time is Olly Murphy’s Brewin’upastorm – who proved better than ever when continuing his love affair with Fontwell’s National Spirit Hurdle in February.

Dan Skelton’s Proschema was well held in that contest and has not been seen at his best since scoring at Wetherby earlier in the season, with Paul Nicholls’ Monmiral reverting to the smaller obstacles having been novice chasing throughout the current campaign.

Henderson has plenty to consider, as big guns oblige at Aintree

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Nicky Henderson’s two stable stars both won their sixth Grade Ones at Aintree on Thursday. But it is fair to say in rather different circumstances.

While Constitution Hill’s cruise to victory in the William Hill Aintree Hurdle went according to plan, Shishkin’s game success in the Alder Hey Aintree Bowl was – like his season as a whole – far from straightforward.

Nevertheless, it will have been a relief to the master of Seven Barrows that Shishkin is ending his campaign on a winning note given how it started in the Tingle Creek, and if anything he looked as if the Gold Cup distance will be well within his compass.

As for Constitution Hill, what is there left to say? The result was never in doubt, we already know there is not another hurdler in training capable of getting him off the bridle. How he is campaigned next term at least gives us something to dream about.

There are plenty who would love to see Henderson and owner Michael Buckley give him the chance to emulate the great mare Dawn Run, the only horse who has won the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup. However, they would surely be passing up the chance to win multiple Champion Hurdles, and who can blame them if they are tempted by that?

“You can do anything you like with him, people questioned whether he would stay two and a half miles, he’ll stay any miles you like and you can go to the front or you can go to the back,” said Henderson.

“Nobody else was going to go on today so what was the point messing about, he may as well just get on with it.

“He jumps so beautifully, doesn’t he. I think that was probably the easiest race to watch with him, he was always going well and when you are travelling like that, in a slightly slower gear over two and a half, it makes it even easier for him.

“He’s deadly accurate and so natural. We’ll probably school him before we put him to bed (for the summer), just so we know what we are talking about. But I honestly don’t know right now what we’ll do.”

As for Shishkin, he has gone from being the perfect pupil to something of an enigma – albeit still very much a top-class one.

Having won 10 races in a row it all went wrong in last year’s Champion Chase and he was well beaten in the Tingle Creek on his return.

Shishkin and jockey Nico de Boinville
Shishkin and jockey Nico de Boinville (Mike Egerton/PA)

He had a wind operation, was stepped up in trip and looked as good as ever when winning at Ascot before he jumped deplorably in the Ryanair at Cheltenham before staying on into second.

Upped even further to three miles, he wore down Ahoy Senor and now the King George – and maybe even the Gold Cup – is on his agenda.

“He was so much better today than at Cheltenham. He does finish very well, he’s tough and he stays, but he is getting quite lazy in his races,” said Henderson.

“He’s won that by staying – his first race over three miles – so the trainer has got it wrong for the last two years, we know that!

“We admitted that after the Tingle Creek, he won a Grade One over two-mile-five at Ascot, we thought we were right staying at that trip in the Ryanair but to be honest he wouldn’t have won over any trip.

“Three miles is where we’ll stay, we won’t be coming back. I know the Gold Cup is not much further than this, but it is a different track. The obvious place is the King George, then take it from there. Whether you go Betfair and then King George, you are fairly limited in your options but the King George is the obvious target. He won’t go to Punchestown now.

“He used to be very straightforward but, like everybody, he gets a bit creaky.

Constitution Hill in cruise control once again

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Constitution Hill put the seal on a flawless campaign with a dominant performance in the William Hill Aintree Hurdle.

So impressive in winning last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham by 22 lengths, Nicky Henderson’s six-year-old has taken the step up into the big league this year with consummate ease.

Having left his top-class stablemate Epatante trailing in his wake in both the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and the Christmas Hurdle, he produced another spectacular display in last month’s Champion Hurdle and was unsurprisingly cramped odds to make it seven from seven over hurdles on Merseyside.

What followed was another exhibition round from Constitution Hill (2-15), with jockey Nico de Boinville sending him to the front from the drop of the flag before upping the ante in the back straight.

Another stroll for Constitution Hill
Another stroll for Constitution Hill (Tim Goode/PA)

The chasing pack had closed the gap by the time he turned for home, but De Boinville was still motionless in the saddle and only had push his mount out on the run-in to score by three lengths.

Sharjah came from the rear of the field to beat Zanahiyr to the runner-up spot, with last year’s winner Epatante only fourth this time around as her remarkable stable companion again stole the show.

Questions will now inevitably turn to what the future holds for Constitution Hill, with Henderson already stating his intention to give the sport’s pre-eminent star a spring schooling session over fences before a decision is made on what route he will pursue next term.

Nico de Boinville and Constitution Hill were again brilliant
Nico de Boinville and Constitution Hill were again brilliant (PA)

Speaking afterwards, Henderson did not want to be drawn further on whether a chasing career could await next season, and in fact indicated he could stay hurdling.

“That couldn’t have been more straightforward. Two and a half miles out there on your own, your mind could wander, but he’s just had a doddle around and was in second gear the whole way,” said the Seven Barrows handler.

“He does jump doesn’t he. He’s got such versatility. We spoke this morning and said he’d have to make it, don’t mess about and keep it simple. Nico said he was hardly doing anything on the way round.

“I’m sure he’d get three miles, but there’ll be no decisions made today about next year. We’re not edging one way or the other. I’m not saying we won’t school him over a fence, but we’re not leaning any way.

“As long as he keeps doing it like that we’ve got a long summer to look back on it and enjoy it and talk about what will happen next.

“I don’t think we’ll school him on Saturday! I might the Saturday after! I don’t know, we’ll just have a think.

Nicky Henderson debriefs the media
Nicky Henderson debriefs the media (David Davies for The Jockey Club)

“There’s only so many races he can run in next year, Fighting Fifth, Christmas Hurdle, I do think the International will come into it on Trials day and then Champion Hurdle and come here. Some might say that’s boring, but we won’t find it boring. All options are still open and we won’t make a decision until the autumn I’d have thought.”

Like Henderson, proud owner Michael Buckley was rather non-committal about the future.

He said: “It’s nerve-wracking to be honest. I probably shouldn’t say that, but it is. I suppose that’s my temperament rather than anything to do with the horse, who is spectacular.

“I thought we might pay the late entry fee and run him in the National on Saturday, how would that do? I don’t know what we’ll do, I just want to enjoy this and praise Nicky as he’s won with two horses today who were both winning their sixth Grade Ones. We’ll enjoy that, it’s enough for one day.”

Meanwhile, Rich Ricci said of the Willie Mullins-trained Sharjah: “It was a fantastic run from Sharjah, he’s been a great servant and he’s run into a lot of good horses but made us a lot of money.

“He might go to Punchestown and next season we might pop him over a fence or two and see if we can do a Faugheen with him.

“I’m not sure the step up in trip suited Constitution Hill, but if he is indeed the next superstar we will steer clear of him.”

Super Shishkin shines on step up to three miles

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The King George VI Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup could be among Shishkin’s targets next season after the top-class chaser kicked in the turbo to secure the Alder Hey Aintree Bowl.

Nicky Henderson’s charge earned superstar status by winning his first 10 completed starts over obstacles, a run which included successive victories at the Cheltenham Festival and three Grade Ones.

The wheels came off in last season’s Champion Chase, with Henderson putting his abject performance on desperate ground down to a rare bone condition, while a fairly uninspiring start to the current campaign in the Tingle Creek at Sandown suggested his best days may be behind him.

Not for the first time, however, Henderson weaved his magic, getting Shishkin back to something like his best when stepped up in trip for February’s Ascot Chase, after which he did remarkably well to finish second in last month’s Ryanair after a performance lacking much zest.

The Seven Barrows handler felt the time had come for his former star two-miler over three miles and he was the 7-4 favourite to successfully graduate to the staying trip on Merseyside.

Once again it was not entirely plain sailing, with Nico de Boinville having to get lower in the saddle on a couple of occasions while Ahoy Senor attempted to make all under Brian Hughes.

Nico de Boinville celebrates Shishkin's Aintree success
Nico de Boinville celebrates Shishkin’s Aintree success (Mike Egerton/PA)

The latter looked likely to prevail after drawing clear between the final two fences, but as has been the case on a few occasions over the years, Shishkin saved his best for late in the day, thrusting home on the run-in to get up and beat Ahoy Senor by a length and a half.

Henderson said: “He’s a very good horse and that was a very good race, fair play to Ahoy Senor, he was going well in the Gold Cup when he came down. It was a genuine Grade One race. We were almost here to find out who was second best – without Bravemansgame we haven’t really solved that.

“He was so much better today than at Cheltenham. He does finish very well, he’s tough and he stays but he is getting quite lazy in his races.

“He’s won that by staying – his first race over three miles – so the trainer has got it wrong for the last two years, we know that!

“We admitted that after the Tingle Creek, he won a Grade One over two-mile-five at Ascot, we thought we were right staying at that trip in the Ryanair but to be honest he wouldn’t have won over any trip.

“There were a few issues, he was very sore all over and we’ve had lots of people working on him. We took the tongue tie off as he didn’t like that. We’ve got to tweak things and that’s our job. I think it’s body not mind.”

Henderson will now stick at three miles with Shishkin, with the King George VI Chase at Kempton an “obvious” target next term.

He added: “Three miles is where we’ll stay, we won’t be coming back. I know the Gold Cup is not much further than this but it is a different track. The obvious place is the King George, then take it from there. Whether you go Betfair and then King George, you are fairly limited in your options but the King George is the obvious target. He won’t go to Punchestown now.

“He used to be very straightforward but like everybody, he gets a bit creaky. We had the four weeks and it’s all worked.

“When you are racing over three miles you want them racing lazily, you don’t want them to be keen when you up them in trip. You’d rather see him wake up a little bit more, we’ll see, I might have a few more tricks yet.”

Ahoy Senor (red) was just denied by Shishkin
Ahoy Senor (red) was just denied by Shishkin (Mike Egerton/PA)

Lucinda Russell was more than satisfied with Ahoy Senor’s effort in defeat.

She said: “I’m exceedingly proud of him and let’s face it, Shishkin is a fabulous horse who keeps galloping.

“It must have been hard for Brian (Hughes) who had never ridden him before, but he thought he had them at the last.

“I think he got tired eight strides before the last, he made that mistake and he was slightly on the back foot.”

A Plus Tard was the only other finisher in the five-runner heat, with Conflated and Ga Law both pulled up.

Henry de Bromhead was upbeat after A Plus Tard's third place
Henry de Bromhead was upbeat after A Plus Tard’s third place (Tim Goode/PA)

Despite being beaten a total of 17 and a half lengths, Henry de Bromhead was pleased to see A Plus Tard finish his first race this year, having been pulled up in both the Betfair Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup on his only two starts.

He said: “Obviously he didn’t finish off the race as well as we would have liked but there were still positives.

“It was effectively his first run of the year, and Rachael (Blackmore) said he jumped and travelled well but got tired.

“She was happy with him until then and he’s heading back in the right direction.

“We are happier than we were and that will be it because he’s so much better going left-handed, and we won’t look towards Punchestown.”

Rajinksy registers surprise Listed success for Harry Davies

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Harry Davies notched up the first Listed success of his career as Rajinsky pulled off a shock to down Trueshan in Nottingham’s Barry Hills Further Flight Stakes.

Winner of the Cesarewitch Trial last season in the hands of Davies, Hugo Palmer’s seven-year-old made every yard in the testing rain-softened ground at Colwick Park and showed great resilience to pull out extra when pressed by Alan King’s star stayer inside the final three furlongs – knuckling down to hold off Trueshan by half a length at the line.

Although well held in Group One company at ParisLongchamp on his final outing of 2022, his victory at odds of 16-1 now puts him in the frame for some big assignments this term.

“We thought he would be fit enough today,” said the winning jockey.

“The competition was probably the best he’s ever faced really and he’s just improving as he gets older.

“Last year we learnt an awful lot about him and it is a very exciting year ahead.

“I know the horse will always get further and will always hit the line strong – he will never let you down and he will always try hard. When Trueshan came to me, he never let me down.

“I’m just so thankful to Hugo and the owners for keeping me on the horse.”

Rajinsky and Harry Davies (orange) coming home to win the Barry Hills Further Flight Stakes at Nottingham racecourse
Rajinsky and Harry Davies (orange) coming home to win the Barry Hills Further Flight Stakes at Nottingham racecourse (Joe Giddens/PA)

Palmer may now have to reassess Rajinsky’s targets, saying: “Plan A was to go for the Chester Cup. I thought if he could run between six to eight lengths behind Trueshan and have a blow, that would put him spot on for Chester, but I might have to re-think that plan now.

“He was entered in the Chester Cup this week and the weights come out next week, in which time he will be re-assessed.

“I think it is a bit of a leap of faith to say that was the best version of Trueshan, but he is still a dual Group One winner and that is a hell of a scalp for our horse to take.

“Like Trueshan, he is a ground-dependent horse and we need to find ground where there is cut in it. I can’t believe there is a huge amount of improvement in him at the age of seven, but he will still be very entertaining for us.

“We took him to France for a Group One last year but that came at the end of a long season and he probably left his effort on the Rowley Mile in the Cesarewitch Trial.

“I think there could be a lot of options for him back in France and it is definitely something we will keep an eye on.”

Brian Ellison’s Tashkhan plugged on gamely to take third spot, but there was no trainer happier than Nicky Henderson after Buzz returned from a 508-day injury absence.

The nine-year-old finished last of the five runners, beaten just shy of 27 lengths, but the Seven Barrows handler could not hide his delight about seeing the popular dual-purpose performer back on track.

He said: “We ummed and ahhed a bit this morning about whether to even run him because when it went heavy this morning, I got nervous. He got tired in it, of course he has, but if he’s all right in the morning, on we go.

Trainer Nicky Henderson speaks to jockey Rossa Ryan before the Barry Hills Further Flight Stakes at Nottingham racecourse
Trainer Nicky Henderson speaks to jockey Rossa Ryan before the Barry Hills Further Flight Stakes at Nottingham racecourse (Joe Giddens/PA)

“He enjoyed himself and Rossa (Ryan) said he came onto the bridle turning into the straight following Trueshan and I thought ‘oh good’ but not surprisingly he got tired.

“We’ve got a long way to go, but we’ve got him back on a racecourse. We decided we weren’t going to hurdle him this time around and we would stick to the Flat which takes the pressure off a little bit, but if he’s all right in the morning we will be very happy.

“It was lovely to see him back, he’s enjoyed himself and Rossa was great – he’s looked after him. He had a nice time.”

Constitution Hill expected to step up in style at Aintree

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Constitution Hill tops the bill on day one of the Grand National meeting as the sport’s pre-eminent star bids to put the seal on a magnificent campaign with victory in the William Hill Aintree Hurdle.

There is very little to say about Nicky Henderson’s six-year-old that has not already been said, with six racecourse outings to date yielding six sensational victories.

His 22-length romp in last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle suggested Constitution Hill was something out of the ordinary and he has only enhanced his reputation this term by winning the Fighting Fifth, Christmas Hurdle and Champion Hurdle, all with remarkable ease.

He faces an extra half-mile on Merseyside, but his big-race rider Nico de Boinville is unconcerned.

“He’s in really good order, he worked nicely on Saturday and schooled as well, so we’re looking forward to running him again,” he told Sky Sports Racing.

“We had the Lambourn Open Day on Friday, lots of people came to see him and he didn’t turn a hair, which was amazing. He’s got a very good disposition and seems to take it all in his stride.

“I don’t think that (two and a half miles) will be a problem.”

Henderson has already raised the possibility of Thursday being the last time we will see Constitution Hill run over hurdles, with a pre-summer schooling session over fences set to take place before connections make a decision on which path he will take next term.

De Boinville added: “We’ll see what comes on Thursday and we’ll go from there, but I think it’s in the back of our minds to at least give it a go.”

Nicky Henderson with Epatante
Nicky Henderson with Epatante (David Davies/PA)

Epatante won last year’s Aintree Hurdle for Henderson and while she was blown away by Constitution Hill at Newcastle and Kempton earlier in the season, she takes him on again in defence of her crown.

Speaking in his Unibet blog, Henderson said: “Everything has gone very well since Constitution Hill’s effortless victory in the Champion Hurdle. I’ve got no worries whatsoever about the step up to two and a half miles and let’s hope he can add to his already impressive CV.

“Epatante is unfortunately bumping into Constitution Hill again which obviously makes it a very tough ask, but she’s recovered well from Cheltenham and has been in good form at home.

“We gave her a nice easy time after the Mares’ Hurdle, so she comes here fresh and happy and won this race last year in fine style.”

Gordon Elliott’s Zanahiyr and the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained I Like To Move It also renew rivalry with the red-hot favourite after finishing third and sixth in the Champion Hurdle four weeks ago.

The field is completed by Willie Mullins’ Sharjah and Alan King’s veteran Sceau Royal, who is fitted with cheek pieces for the first time.

“There’s the one standout horse in the race and the rest are pretty much evenly rated,” said King.

“He’s in good form the old boy and I hope he can pick up a bit of prize-money.”