Tag Archive for: Nicky Henderson

Henderson looks on with interest at impressive State Man

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Nicky Henderson rates State Man a “very serious danger” to Constitution Hill’s Unibet Champion Hurdle challenge.

The Willie Mullins-trained runner accounted for dual Champion Hurdle winner Honeysuckle by just under five lengths in Sunday’s Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle, prompting Coral to clip him into 3-1 from 4-1.

Henderson’s Constitution Hill remains the 1-4 favourite for the Festival contest though, having won his last three Grade Ones in a canter – landing the Supreme, Fighting Fifth and Christmas Hurdles by a combined 51 lengths.

With connections of Honeysuckle ruling out another Champion Hurdle bid for their star, the long-awaited face-off between that pair is now off the table. But Henderson was impressed with manner of State Man’s victory and believes it is going to be tricky to predict the likely outcome at Cheltenham.

Constitution Hill is a very skinny price for the Champion Hurdle
Constitution Hill is a very skinny price for the Champion Hurdle (John Walton/PA)

He told Unibet: “Constitution Hill is sitting in his box, I didn’t let him see the race, but as far as the Champion Hurdle is concerned, it’s hard to tell really.

“You’ve got to say State Man was impressive and he’s certainly thrown down a very serious challenge to Constitution Hill et al, because there are going to be others – you never know what else could come out of the pack.

“Constitution is well but there’s no doubt State Man is going to be a very serious danger and it just makes for an intriguing Champion Hurdle. We’re all looking forward to it, with fingers crossed.”

Henderson offers upbeat update after Altior colic scare

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Altior is set to return to his retirement home with former jockey Mick Fitzgerald on Friday after making huge strides in his recovery from a serious bout of colic.

Nicky Henderson announced last week that his former two-mile stable star had to undergo two operations – including a four-hour surgery – due to the issue, and the trainer admitted he had been concerned Altior might not recover.

A true jump racing great, Altior won 19 races in a row for Henderson, including the 2018 and 2019 Champion Chase, on his way to becoming the highest-rated horse in training, with a peak mark of 175.

He was retired in 2021 aged 11, bowing out having won 21 of his 26 career starts, including 10 Grade One races and four victories at the Cheltenham Festival.

Altior was a two-mile star for Henderson
Altior was a two-mile star for Henderson (Julian Herbert/PA)

Altior has since spent his retirement with Fitzgerald and he is set to return to his Lambourn home to continue recuperating.

Henderson told his Unibet blog: “We have some news with regards to Altior and I’m delighted to say that it is ‘good’ news, as he appears to have come out of the other side and seems to be over the worse of his severe bout of colic.

“It’s been a long, slow process and I must admit we were all extremely worried at one time, and very concerned that he mightn’t pull through, but thankfully, due to the excellent work from everyone at Donnington Grove, especially Kate McGovern, Rosie and the whole team who stayed with him on a 24-hour watch, it looks as though Altior will be able to return home to the Fitzgerald family tomorrow, which is obviously fantastic news for him and all of us.

“He’s had a great week and things have gradually improved, which meant he was able to go onto solid foods a couple of days ago. He has taken that well and everything seems to be working, so we hope he is on the road to recovery.

“There have still been a few nervous moments, but he was getting brighter and brighter as the days went on, and it has been amazing how far he has come.

“It’s very rare for any horse to survive what Altior has gone through, and I’d go as far to say that this was as deep as you could go, and his chances were not very promising at all, but as we’ve all said before, he must be a very tough and brave person to overcome what he has.

“He was a fighter on the racecourse and is most definitely a fighter off it as well!”

Luccia likely to tackle Exeter Listed heat

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Nicky Henderson’s Luccia is likely to make her next start in a Listed contest at Exeter.

Unbeaten in three runs in bumper and hurdles company, an unsatisfactory scope ruled her out of her intended run in last month’s Grade One Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown.

That issue has now been resolved and Luccia is now going to head to the Listed Virgin Bet Novices’ Hurdle at Exeter on February 12, ahead of a possible bid for the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival – race for which she is currently the 3-1 second favourite.

Luccia and jockey James Bowen
Luccia and jockey James Bowen (John Walton/PA)

“She had a dirty scope a while back when we were trying to run her in the Tolworth, that’s all cleared,” the trainer told Sky Sports Racing.

“There’s quite a nice Listed novice hurdle at Exeter on Sunday week, I would think that would be the likely port of call.

“I was always thinking I would get two more runs into her, but I’m not finding it as easy to map that out as I rather hoped I might.

“In that case it might be one more and she’ll go for that Listed race down there.”

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!”

Henderson ‘very happy’ with Shishkin and has sights set on Ascot

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Shishkin came through a workout on Tuesday which enabled Nicky Henderson to continue aiming towards the Betfair Ascot Chase on February 18.

So brilliant at his best over two miles, the nine-year-old will be racing over the longest trip he has encountered since his point-to-point days.

Since pulling up in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March, he returned to action when only third behind Edwardstone in the Tingle Creek.

Henderson stated he was keen to step him up in trip and that was due to be in the Silvinaco Conti Chase at Kempton – but Shishkin “flipped his palate” causing him to have a minor procedure, with Ascot then his next option.

Nicky Henderson has given Shishkin the green light for Ascot
Nicky Henderson has given Shishkin the green light for Ascot (David Davies/PA)

“Shishkin worked this morning. We were all very happy with him and he is on schedule for the Betfair Ascot Chase,” said Henderson.

“The step up in trip is not even a question mark for me, it is an absolute necessity, and consequently we did not even enter him for the Champion Chase.

“You would like to think that this could take you on to the Ryanair Chase, although we also put him in the Gold Cup as we have come to the firm conclusion that he is a stayer, but we will see.”

Taking him on will be last year’s winner, Joseph O’Brien’s Fakir D’oudairies, last seen winning in slightly fortunate circumstances at Thurles.

Fakir D’Oudairies (right) leads Two For Gold over the final fence in last year's race
Fakir D’oudairies (right) leads Two For Gold over the final fence in last year’s race (Simon Marper/PA)

“Fakir D’oudairies is an intended runner in the Betfair Ascot Chase,” said O’Brien.

“We were very pleased with how his prep went in Thurles. It was a very hot race and should hopefully set him up for another successful spring campaign.

“He has been around for a while and has achieved a lot already, but he is not an old horse by any means and I see no reason why he can’t have another good end to this season at least.”

A total of 13 have been entered for the Grade One, including Paul Nicholls’ improving Pic D’Orhy and stablemate Hitman.

Fanion D’Estruval, last year’s second Two For Gold, Paint The Dream and First Gold are all in the mix.

Epatante in cruise control for confidence-boosting triumph at Doncaster

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Nicky Henderson’s 2020 champion hurdler Epatante had no trouble in getting back to winning ways dropped in class for the Sky Bet Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle.

A multiple Grade One winner against the boys, she has found life tough this season – taking on her esteemed stablemate Constitution Hill in both the Fighting Fifth and Christmas Hurdles.

With races at Cheltenham and Haydock called off in recent weeks due to the adverse weather she was back in against her sex at Doncaster and the red-hot 2-9 favourite to oblige.

Nico de Boinville – on board for the first time since winning the 2021 Christmas Hurdle on her – never had a moment of worry and let her off the leash approaching the last on the way to a six-and a-half-length win from Salsada.

“She felt great today, jumped really well and travelled away great, it’s nice for her to pick one up like this,” said De Boinville.

“It gives you an idea how good Constitution Hill is, but the team at home had her in really good shape for this today.

“Aidan (Coleman) said she felt fantastic at Kempton and she did today, it will be interesting to she where they decide to go at Cheltenham.”

Nico de Boinville and Rachel McMahon with Epatante
Nico de Boinville and Rachel McMahon with Epatante (Richard Sellers/PA)

Rachel McMahon rides the mare every day, but is currently out of action, as she explained.

“A horse called Love Bite bit my finger and broke it,” she said.

“I’d normally ride her every day and we’d love a few more like her, she’s so tough and her main aim today was to get her confidence back.

“It could be worse, Constitution Hill could be in another yard. You’d think getting beaten out of sight by him would have sickened her off, but not a bit of it.

“I think she’s certainly as good as last year and without him she’d have won another two Grade Ones.”

Give Me A Cuddle (blue) forges to the front
Give Me A Cuddle (blue) forges to the front (Richard Sellers/PA)

De Bonville had already won on Give Me A Cuddle (15-2) in the first division of the Happy 60th Birthday Neil Young Handicap Hurdle.

It was a welcome winner for Neil King who had endured a very quiet start tot he season.

Good Bye was rewarded for a string of consistent efforts when streaking away with the first division.

The Sara Ender-trained winner was sent off 7-1 under Philip Armson.

Ender said: “He’s a star, he’s never been out of the first four since we got him but he usually doesn’t want to go past!

“We’ve just sweetened him up a bit and the past few weeks his confidence has grown and grown.

“The only time he’d won for us before today was because a loose horse helped him up the run-in! Today is the first time he’s wanted to go and do it on his own.”

De Boinville expecting Epantante to bloom in Yorkshire Rose

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Nico de Boinville is confident Epatante can make the most of what appears a gilt-edged opportunity in the Sky Bet Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle at Doncaster on Saturday.

Nicky Henderson’s stable jockey has actually only ridden the yard’s star mare once before – steering her to victory in the 2021 Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.

Aidan Coleman has been ever present in the saddle since then, but as he is at Cheltenham to partner veteran stayer Paisley Park in the Cleeve Hurdle, De Boinville again gets the call on Town Moor.

Epatante has won six times at Grade One level in all, with two Christmas Hurdles, two Fighting Fifths, an Aintree Hurdle and a Champion Hurdle featuring on her CV.

The JP McManus-owned nine-year-old has proved no match for fellow Seven Barrows inmate Constitution Hill in either the Fighting Fifth or the Christmas Hurdle so far this season, but with her esteemed stable companion not in opposition this weekend, she should take all the beating.

“She doesn’t have a certain Constitution Hill to contend with here, so you have to be more than hopeful she can get back to winning ways,” De Boinville said in his Unibet blog.

“We all know her Grade One class and the scary thing is that she probably hasn’t been that far off her very best when chasing home her stablemate at Newcastle and Kempton this season.

“This is clearly a significant drop in grade for her, for all she carries a 6lb penalty.”

The biggest threat to Epatante appears to be Lucy Wadham’s admirable mare Martello Sky.

Martello Sky in action at Cheltenham
Martello Sky in action at Cheltenham (David Davies/PA)

The grey has found one too good in each of her three previous outings this season, most recently chasing home Love Envoi at Sandown, and is fitted with cheek pieces for the first time on Saturday.

Wadham said: “Epatante has won six Grade Ones and is only giving us 2lb, so obviously it’s going to be to be pretty tough and we’re probably playing for second place.

“As always she’ll be doing her best, she’s ready to run and we’ll give it a go, but we’re not expecting to beat the favourite that’s for sure.

“She’s coming back to two miles and, funnily enough, all her sisters wore some sort of headgear. She’s certainly not ungenuine, but I think she will need to be sharper on Saturday, so hopefully the cheek pieces will help.”

The first of three Grade Twos on the card is the MND Association Race For Research Lightning Novices’ Chase, in which Harry Fry’s Boothill bids to follow up victory in the Wayward Lad at Kempton.

The highest-rated horse in the field, though, is Ann Hamilton’s stable star Tommy’s Oscar, who won on his chasing debut at Carlisle in the autumn and has since finished second twice over fences.

The eight-year-old is significantly better off at the weights with Donald McCain’s Since Day One, who is again in opposition having beaten him in a novice handicap at Newcastle last month, but connections are more hopeful than confident about his chances this weekend.

“At the weights you’d say he’s got to win it, but I don’t know,” said owner Ian Hamilton.

“He was obviously well beaten in the Fighting Fifth and then he was giving a stone and a half to Donald’s horse last time,” said owner Ian Hamilton..

“Our horses aren’t quite firing, so I wouldn’t have £1,000 on him anyway. But it will be better ground at Doncaster which will help. Hopefully he can do it.”

Stay Away Fay is the likely favourite for the Albert Bartlett River Don Novices’ Hurdle.

A £305,000 purchase after winning a point-to-point, the Shantou gelding made a successful debut for Paul Nicholls in a two-and-a-half-mile novice hurdle at Newbury in November and is immediately stepped up to three miles.

Nicholls told Betfair: “He’s an interesting prospect who did well over the summer before winning in pleasing fashion at Newbury on his debut for us over hurdles two months ago.

“He is a lot sharper now, stays well, wants good ground and I’ve had this race in mind for him since Newbury.”

Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies saddles Idalko Bihoue at Doncaster
Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies saddles Idalko Bihoue at Doncaster (David Davies/PA)

McCain’s Maximilian steps back up in distance after suffering his first defeat in five starts in the Winter Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown last month, while Grand Soir has won his last three races for Irish trainer John McConnell.

Idalko Bihoue, another expensive purchase from the Irish point field, is also worthy of consideration after finishing a creditable third in the Grade One Challow Hurdle at Newbury on New Year’s Eve.

“It was a very good run in the Challow. He’s going up in distance a little bit and I’d hope he’ll run really well,” trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies told Sky Sports Racing.

“We were looking for three miles, there are very few three-mile races around and it’s good prize-money.

“He’s definitely a stayer.”

Altior ‘more comfortable’ as recovery from colic continues

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Nicky Henderson has issued a positive bulletin on Altior, who is recovering after a severe bout of colic.

The Seven Barrows handler announced on Wednesday that his former two-mile stable star had to undergo two operations over the weekend, including a four-hour surgery on Saturday due to the issue.

While Henderson is a little more upbeat on the 13-year-old’s health, he acknowledges Altior still has “a very long way to go”.

Nico de Boinville and Altior enjoyed multiple Grade One victories
Nico de Boinville and Altior enjoyed multiple Grade One victories (Paul Harding/PA)

He told his Unibet blog: “I am pleased to report this morning that Altior had a good night and is more comfortable than he has been so far.

“There is still a very long way to go and the next stage is try to wean him off the artificial feeding system towards more natural, normal feed which will test his internal organs and if they can cope.

“It will be a big change and the question, to put it very simply, will be if his gut will still work, so it’s another big day with plenty of risks involved; with each step comes another big test.”

A true jump racing great, Altior won 19 races in a row for Henderson, including the 2018 and 2019 Champion Chase, on his way to becoming the highest-rated horse in training, with a peak mark of 175.

He was retired in 2021 aged 11, bowing out having won 21 of his 26 career starts, including 10 Grade One races and four victories at the Cheltenham Festival.

Altior has since spent his retirement with former jockey Mick Fitzgerald, who visited on Wednesday, with Henderson planning to make his own trip later on Thursday.

He added: “Mick and Chloe (Fitzgerald, wife) saw him last night and said he was definitely much brighter and perkier in himself, which is a good sign. I was unable to visit yesterday but will be seeing him later today and (owner) Pat Pugh has barely left his side.

“A lot of people say he was a fighter on course and he’s now having to prove it off it as well, but we’re keeping fingers and toes crossed that he pulls through and we’ll keep everyone posted with any further news.”

Altior is one of the most popular runners of recent years
Altior is one of the most popular runners of recent years (Julian Herbert/PA)

Henderson also expressed his gratitude for the support from racing fans for Altior, who had an army of admirers during his racing days.

He said: “I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ from all of us and everyone at the surgery who have sent so many kind messages about Altior. We are very touched and I only wish Altior could read. It means a lot.

“I’d also like to give special mention to Kate McGovern who heads up the team in charge of Altior at Donnington Grove, and while he is still in intensive care, they are doing the most wonderful job and we cannot thank them enough.”

Altior ‘stable but critical’ after colic surgery

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Dual Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Altior is reported to be in a stable but critical condition after suffering a severe bout of colic.

A true jump racing great, Altior won 19 races in a row for Nicky Henderson, including the 2018 and 2019 Champion Chase, on his way to becoming the highest-rated horse in training, with a peak mark of 175.

He was retired in 2021 aged 11, bowing out having won 21 of his 26 career starts, including 10 Grade One races and four victories at the Cheltenham Festival.

Altior has since spent his retirement with former jockey Mick Fitzgerald, but Henderson has revealed his one-time stable star is now fighting for his life in hospital.

Nicky Henderson with Altior at Seven Barrows
Nicky Henderson with Altior at Seven Barrows (David Davies/PA)

“Unfortunately we have a problem with Altior after it was discovered on Saturday morning that he was suffering from a severe bout of colic,” the Seven Barrows handler said in his Unibet blog.

“As a consequence, he was taken to the equine hospital very, very quickly where he had to undergo a four-hour operation to remove a considerable amount of his intestine. It was a big operation and not straightforward

“On Sunday morning, he was still extremely uncomfortable so had to undergo further surgery due to complications. There is some reasonably positive news in the fact that this morning he is stable, but still critical.

“Pat Pugh (owner) has been to see him on several occasions and he is currently in extremely good hands with all of the team at Donnington Valley. It’s a terrible shame because he deserves a long and happy retirement and was really enjoying life at Chloe and Mick Fitzgerald’s.

“It’s been extremely tough, and no horse deserves this, especially dear Altior who gave so much pleasure to everyone on the track.

“In an ironic twist, we welcomed his gorgeous four-year-old old brother to Seven Barrows last week. He is the most handsome son of Camelot and is really pleasing us all.

“We are all praying and doing everything humanely possible to ensure he can pull through and continue living life as he should.”

Epatante has chance to get back to winning ways at Haydock

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With stablemate Constitution Hill safely tucked away in his box, Epatante appears to have been found an excellent opportunity to get back to winning ways in The New One Unibet Hurdle at Haydock on Saturday.

The JP McManus-owned mare is clearly no slouch, with a Champion Hurdle, an Aintree Hurdle, two Christmas Hurdles and two Fighting Fifth Hurdles already in her satchel.

She has proved no match for the magnificent Constitution Hill in either the Fighting Fifth or the Christmas Hurdle so far this season, beaten 12 lengths at Newcastle and 17 at Kempton. But she was comfortably best of the rest on both occasions and is odds-on for this weekend’s Grade Two assignment.

Henderson told Unibet: “I think for all of us the ground is a bit of a worry but there’s nothing we can do about it and at the moment we just have to take what we can.

“She isn’t a gigantic mare but has won on soft ground before so you’d like to think she’ll at least get through it and she’s been in good form at home. She’s been ticking over nicely and this is a good opportunity to give her the chance of winning a race after bumping into Constitution Hill all season.

“It would just be lovely to get her head back in front again and give her some confidence.”

He added: “She had a terrific season last year, winning three Grade Ones, so owes us absolutely nothing, but she still retains all her ability and (for her) it’s a shame a certain horse owned by Michael Buckley has come on the scene because she would’ve already won two Grade Ones this season and likely be favourite for the Unibet Champion Hurdle!”

The highest-rated horse in the field is Jason The Militant, who makes his debut for Phil Kirby after being bought out of Henry de Bromhead’s yard.

The nine-year-old, who won at Grade Three and Grade Two level over hurdles, has also been declared for Lingfield on Sunday – but looks set to head for Merseyside provided the meeting goes ahead.

Kirby said: “He’s settled in grand and he’s been very straightforward. He’s done everything he’s been asked to do and we were hoping for some soft ground this weekend. It looks like we’ve got it, so we just need the racing to be on somewhere.

“We’ve had him around a month or so. He’s an older horse so he was perhaps ready for a change of scenery. We’re going to try and freshen him back up and try and get him somewhere back to where he was.

“He hasn’t been running badly though and he’s almost exclusively been running in top-level races. He’s a lovely horse and he’s got a nice rating, so these are the races he’s got to run in really.”

I Like To Move It won Greatwood Hurdle in November for Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies, but needs to bounce back from a disappointing effort in the Relkeel on New Year’s Day.

I Like To Move It won the Greatwood Hurdle earlier this season
I Like To Move It won the Greatwood Hurdle earlier this season (Tim Goode/PA)

High-class chaser Minella Drama is an interesting contender – switching back to hurdles for the first time since finishing second in a Grade One novice race at Aintree in the spring of 2021.

“I had him in the Peter Marsh and I was tempted, but it’s three-mile-two, and I had him the Fleur De Lys Chase at Lingfield on Sunday, but with his Grade Two penalty he was giving weight to horses rated higher than him,” said trainer Donald McCain.

“It’s always kind of been in my head, is he a better chaser than a hurdler? I know this is a Champion Hurdle trial, but he goes on the ground and he likes the track and he’s in good nick.

“On his last run over hurdles he was second in a Grade One and we’ve done it before in this race (with Navajo Pass in 2021), so we thought we’d give it another go.”

Nells Son (Nicky Richards) and For Pleasure (Alex Hales) complete the line-up.