Tag Archive for: Nico de Boinville

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.”

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.”

Shishkin looked like he wanted Gold Cup trip, says Henderson

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Nicky Henderson was left mulling over whether he made the right decision to run Shishkin in the Ryanair Chase rather than the Cheltenham Gold Cup after he stayed on to finish second to Envoi Allen.

Bidding for a third Festival success, the former Supreme and Arkle winner was odds-on for last season’s Queen Mother Champion Chase but never travelled on soft ground and was pulled up early by Nico de Boinville.

Subsequently diagnosed with a rare bone condition, he was brought back slowly and after finishing 15 lengths second to Edwardstone in the Tingle Creek at Sandown, he was stepped up in trip and duly took the Ascot Chase by 16 lengths.

However, over the same two miles and five furlongs of the Ryanair, he did not quite look himself, jumping left on occasions and making an error at a crucial stage which briefly halted momentum.

Though staying on well after the last, he was never catching Envoi Allen, whose two-and three-quarter-length success was a third at the Festival after victories in the 2019 Champion Bumper and in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle a year later.

Henderson said: “He wasn’t really travelling like we hoped he would. Early on, he wasn’t looking that happy about it, but he’s done bloody well to finish where he has.

“Maybe I should have listened to those people who said we should have gone three and a quarter (mile, in the Gold Cup) – it looked as if that’s what he wanted.”

Asked to put his finger on why Shishkin ran so inconsistently, Henderson added: “I don’t know, it’s unlike him to go left like that – and he was going markedly left.

“He ran at Ascot last time and if you go left round Ascot, you finish up in Windsor Castle and that’s that!

“He schooled on Monday and you’ve never seen a horse jump five fences straighter and quicker, so we’ll have to take him apart and tighten a few nuts and bolts.

“He made one bad mistake coming down the hill, but look at how well he’s finished. I was a bit worried over the first two fences because he looked outpaced again, but he got back there – he’s determined if nothing else.

“Envoi Allen was going to be the next coming when he was young and they’ve done very well, they’ve got him back to his very best.

“You could say it came too soon after Ascot for us, it was a bit of a rush but I certainly want to run him in four weeks’ time over three miles at Aintree – that’s the obvious thing to do.”

De Boinville said Shishkin never gave him the same encouragement as he had felt when scoring so impressively at Ascot.

“It never really went right from when the tapes went up. Even down at the start he was curling up on me a bit and sitting back on his haunches a bit,” said the jockey.

“Over the first two fences he wasn’t taking me anywhere, whereas at Ascot I was able to travel and jump and dictate where I wanted to be. This time I was pushed here there and everywhere.

Nico de Boinville (left) and Nicky Henderson set to run Shishkin over three miles at Aintree
Nico de Boinville (left) and Nicky Henderson set to run Shishkin over three miles at Aintree (Steven Paston/PA)

“He was hanging a bit left and wasn’t the same horse that we saw at Ascot, but we know what he can do, so we’ll get him home and get him absolutely spot-on, and I’m sure he’ll be going three miles at Aintree.

“Over the first two fences it did feel a bit like last year and I was thinking, ‘Oh God’, but all credit to the horse – he’s very genuine, he made an error down the hill and has managed to get back for second when he had every right to be pulled up or tailed off.

“We know what he can do on his good days and there’ll be plenty more good days to come.”

Constitution Hill simply magnificent in Champion Hurdle cruise

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Constitution Hill lit up day one of the Cheltenham Festival as he took the Unibet Champion Hurdle crown in sublime style.

This race had been seen as the six-year-old’s date with destiny ever since romping to victory in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 12 months ago – and Nicky Henderson’s charge did not disappoint, much to the delight of a packed Prestbury Park crowd.

Sent off at odds of 4-11, jockey Nico de Boinville was keen to keep things simple and had the Michael Buckley-owned winner tracking I Like To Move It, who was setting the fractions.

Travelling with supreme ease, Constitution Hill’s super-slick hurdling saw him breeze to the front after three out and De Boinville was simply nudging his mount forwards as he drew clear of the chasing back rounding the turn for home.

He was soon sauntering up the hill with victory from the Willie Mullins-trained State Man secured, and De Boinville was able to turn to the crowd and milk the applause as Constitution Hill in a canter.

Victory saw De Boinville join an illustrious role of honour to have won the Festival’s three biggest prizes, while Constitution Hill crushed the trends to become the first horse since dual race winner Bula’s first Champion Hurdle triumph in 1971 to follow up victory in the Supreme Novices Hurdle.

For Henderson, he added Champion Hurdle number nine to his illustrious CV and there is every chance this could be the best of the lot to step foot in Seven Barrows.

“I’ve got watery eyes, I always have and I always will have, but that will bring tears to most eyes when you see a horse that is like that because I think it’s pretty unique,” he said.

“I’ve had 12 months of anxious moments, but that is our life and the closer it gets the more anxious you get. Have we done this and have we done that, but there is a brilliant team behind it all and they have been fantastic.

“We all know the last few weeks are horrible, I hope I haven’t been too bad but they have been absolutely brilliant.

“Only one of these horses come along in a lifetime. You can’t get a horse like this if you only have one horse, you have to have a lot of horses to find one of these and we are lucky.

“I think it is extraordinary that is just the sixth race of his life and he’s doing that now. We had some wonderful days here with Sprinter Sacre, in particular his comeback Champion Chase, that was about as unique as it got – but this horse is going to extraordinary levels at the moment.

“We are very lucky to be the custodians of this horse, but then the trouble is the responsibility that comes with that.”

When asked if Constitution Hill was the best he had trained, Henderson said: “We’ll sleep on that one. They always say you should never paint a horse until he’s retired. It took me a long time before I would say Sprinter was better than say See You Then, but I had to admit it in the end. Altior was another great horse.

“We’ve just been very lucky, but this looks totally unique – he’s just so unflappable. I went to see him last night and fed him a pocket full of carrots and then Jaydon (Lee, stable lad) went to give him another ton of carrots but nothing worries him, he just ate them.

“I was saying you need to be eating something that is good for you, not carrots – you’re not racing in the dark!”

De Boinville said: “Constitution Hill’s jumping took me there all the time and I just used the hills to fill him up again.

“I didn’t see one (a stride) at the last, but he did – I had visions of Annie Power! Thankfully, he knows better than me. He was foot-perfect everywhere.

“For the last two weeks I just decided to switch off all the white noise as it was just ridiculous – everybody was talking about it.

“The guv’nor had him in great order and I think he’s proved to everyone what a fabulous racehorse he is.”

He added: “On a personal level, it’s been a dream of mine to get the big three and I’m delighted I’ve achieved it.”

Shishkin renaissance delights master trainer Henderson

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Wise old heads used to whisper “they never come back” when a horse had seemingly lost its way, but Nicky Henderson is waging a one-man mission to consign the phrase to the history books as Shishkin became the latest Seven Barrows inmate to return to the top.

Henderson’s exploits with Sprinter Sacre are legendary. The pre-eminent two-mile chaser of his era lost his way through injuries and ailments only to come back and win a second Champion Chase.

Things had not fallen off quite so much for Shishkin, we must not forget just over a year ago he beat Energumene in the Clarence House Chase in a battle hailed as the race of the season.

However, he was pulled up early in the Champion Chase, it later transpired he was suffering with a rare bone condition, and on his return in the Tingle Creek he was a one-paced third, after which he had a wind operation.

Henderson was as confident as he could be that the ability still remained, but there is only one place to find out and that is on the racecourse.

Stepped up to two miles and five furlongs, against a couple of specialists at that trip in Pic D’Orhy and Fakir D’Oudairies, he was imperious, travelling smoothly throughout and bounding 16 lengths clear.

He is now as short as 11-10 favourite for the Ryanair next month.

“I think we’ve got the old Shishkin back, thank goodness,” said Henderson.

“It’s been a big effort from a lot of people and the Donnellys have been amazing. They were supposed to be here, Joe had a plane booked but for the wrong day, apparently. But I’ve just spoken to him in Switzerland and he’s delighted.

“He has always just said ‘do what you think is the right thing’ so we’ve changed a lot of things, but today was the crossroads to see if he still had a future at the top table.”

Shishkin was spring-heeled at the last
Shishkin was spring-heeled at the last (Steven Paston/PA)

Henderson went on: “He was a hero but we’ve seen it before where they fall off the top, but everybody has done their bit. The vets have been brilliant. He had his bone problem, then a wind issue but the most important thing was upping the trip.

“That was the one thing in my own mind I was confident about. In the Clarence House last year he was flat out the whole way and was beaten two out, he won that day because he stayed. After the Tingle Creek there was only one thing to do.

“By slowing the pace, he can then race on the bridle. He’s not a brilliant work horse so he’s hard to assess that way, I think he’ll improve for the run because he’s had a good blow – it’s been a while since the Tingle Creek.

“This was always the race, we’ve got it done and I can’t tell you what I relief it is. We’re very lucky to get these good horses and it’s very sad if they fall off the table. When it does go right, if you get them back, it is extra special.”

Of the chances of Shishkin taking up his Gold Cup entry, Henderson added: “I would have thought it would be pretty stupid, but I’ve done some stupid things in my time so far!

“He’s not in the Champion Chase and he’s not coming into it, at least I can say he’s in the other two. I would have thought the most likely has got to be the Ryanair, it’s the sensible one.”

Nico De Boinville, who also played his part in Sprinter Sacre’s renaissance, said: “He felt a different horse. He was doing everything right at home and that wind op has definitely helped a whole load.

Nicky Henderson (left) with jockey Nico de Boinville
Nicky Henderson (left) with jockey Nico de Boinville (Steven Paston/PA)

“I said to the guv’nor we’d know our fate after the first two and so it proved.

“When you are dealing with horses like that, you have to believe in them. I felt from the way he was at home that he retained his ability, it was just a question of finding his way back and the guv’nor is a master at doing that with these horses.

“I think the Ryanair is the right race. Where else do you go after a race like that? You certainly don’t drop him back to two miles and you’d be very brave to step him up to three-two in the Gold Cup, so I think two-five in the Ryanair is about right for him.

“It was just hands and heels and he’ll come on for that run, I’ve no doubt.”

De Boinville fully aware of State Man’s threat to Constitution Hill

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Nico de Boinville has full respect for his Unibet Champion Hurdle rivals, despite his mount Constitution Hill being set to go off one of the shortest-priced favourites of the whole week at the Cheltenham Festival.

A brilliant winner of the Supreme last March, Nicky Henderson’s new superstar has won the Fighting Fifth and Christmas Hurdles with ease this season.

And although dual Champion Hurdler Honeysuckle has been rerouted to the Mares’ Hurdle, the main threat will still come from Ireland in the shape of Willie Mullins’ State Man, unbeaten for new connections since falling on his Irish debut.

“So far, so good with him, as with all of them we are slowly bringing them to the boil. It’s an exciting time of year to be involved with a yard like Seven Barrows,” De Boinville told talkSPORT2.

Trainer Nicky Henderson and Constitution Hill this week
Trainer Nicky Henderson and Constitution Hill this week (David Davies/PA)

“He’s honestly the most straightforward horse you could ever deal with, he’s got it all really. He’s so professional, he’s got a very good brain, so as a rider it’s a pleasure every time you ride him.”

De Boinville has partnered the likes of Gold Cup winner Coneygree, Altior and the magnificent Sprinter Sacre in his career, with Constitution Hill ranking firmly in their company.

“I never like to compare horses as they all have their own fantastic way of going about things, but he’s bang up there. He’s certainly the best hurdler I’ve ridden as all the exceptional horses I’ve ridden were good chasers. It’s fantastic to be going to a race like the Champion Hurdle with a really good chance,” he said.

“Anything can happen in a two-mile championship race. State Man has come through all his runs and was very impressive last time out. You can never take anything for granted and you have to respect the opposition

“I think one of the biggest changes is that Honeysuckle’s form has maybe slightly dipped and we’re not going to get the clash that was built up at the end of last season, but in State Man we’ve got a truly good rival. Hopefully it should kick off the Tuesday and get the Festival really under way.”

Theatre Glory takes starring role at Warwick

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Theatre Glory could be set for bigger and better things following a facile victory in the Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Warwick Mares’ Hurdle at Warwick.

The late defection of Mares’ Hurdle candidate Love Envoi saw Nicky Henderson’s charge sent off the 4-7 favourite for the Listed event and she duly obliged, scoring by an eased down 11 lengths having beaten off the challenge of 2021 winner Molly Ollys Wishes.

Winning rider Nico de Boinville was impressed by the performance, with the quick ground at the midlands venue a bonus for the rapidly-improving six-year-old.

He said: “I’d say she’s stepped up again today. The way she went through the race, I was trying to look for a lead, but she just wanted to get on and every time she saw a hurdle she just pricked her ears and couldn’t wait to get at them.

“She loved that quick ground there, its proper quick ground there today and it’s an exciting time for the yard with all these good mares.”

The daughter of Fame And Glory, who is owned by the Canter Banter Racing syndicate, does not hold an entry for the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and would have to be supplemented to line up.

Theatre Glory in action at Huntingdon racecourse
Theatre Glory in action at Huntingdon racecourse (Tim Goode/PA)

With a handicap mark of 137 no doubt set to rise, Betfair go 12-1 from 20s for her to replicate another Henderson trained mare, Dame De Compagnie, and land the Coral Cup.

However, De Boinville refused to be drawn on her next move with Seven Barrows housing some of the best female talent around, which includes defending Mares’ Hurdle champion Marie’s Rock and former Champion Hurdle winner Epatante.

He continued: “Possibly (the Mares’), she’ll definitely benefit from a stronger pace and something to tow her along, but she’s been very well placed so far in her career and it’s not for me to decide.

“She’s definitely grown and matured this year and there’s definitely more to come.”

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.”