Unibet ambassador and champion trainer, Nicky Henderson has ten runners at the big Jumps Finale at Sandown today, with Nicky giving his thoughts on each of his charges.
Check out the full blog post here:
…””Altior is simply awesome and it’s a great privilege to be able to train him”””…
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1:50pm Novice’s Championship Final Handicap Hurdle
Dream Du Grand Val (Nico de Boinville)
He got stuck in the mud in the EBF Final last time, so wouldn’t want it like a bog, but equally wouldn’t want it like a road, so his run very much depends on what the weather does. He’s a horse with plenty of class and it will be nice to see him win before going to the sales because all of the Million In Mind horses are dispersed at Doncaster next month. I’ve been very happy with him at home and if the ground is suitable, he could run a big race.
He didn’t do much wrong at Wincanton last week, but sadly got beaten by a horse carrying 6lbs less and there was only a head in it, so I wouldn’t be too disappointed with that. He’s a flat horse that has had leg problems in the past so he wouldn’t want it fast here, but I do think he’ll enjoy this and he’s in good form. But again, the ground is vital.
2:25pm G2 Oaksey Chase
Gold Present (Jerry McGrath)
He took a right tumble at Ayr but got up quickly, shook himself down and just got on with it which was good to see and he’s been absolutely fine ever since. He had a school the other day and I was very happy so we’re coming here. He is suited by good/fast ground so if there is no rain, he certainly comes into this with a great chance over a trip which is ideal.
Josses Hill (Nico de Boinville)
This is a good race for him as he has to go right handed and the trip is right up his street. He probably isn’t the force he was but he still retains plenty of ability and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him put up a brave show.
3:00pm G1 Celebration Chase
Altior (Nico de Boinville)
We toyed with the idea of going over 2m4f at Aintree, but Nico felt he wasn’t fully over his Cheltenham exertions, so we took the decision to give him more time and go for this race again.
Everything has gone to plan and I don’t think he could be in any better form. Everyone is talking about him breaking the record for most consecutive jumps wins, and it would obviously be fantastic to achieve that but when you consider what Winx has done over in Australia we’ve still got a long way to go!
There’s not much else I can add that hasn’t already been said about Altior; he is simply awesome and it’s a great privilege to be able to train him; the way he jumps and gallops is monstrous and I thought his win in the Tingle Creek was particularly good bearing in mind how heavy the ground was, and the competition he faced, but he just oozed class and put up a tremendous performance. The King George is obviously going to be considered next season and who knows where we go beforehand but let’s get today out of the way and hope we can still have that ‘problem’ to contemplate during the summer!
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3:35pm Gold Cup Handicap Chase
Beware The Bear (Jerry McGrath)
The ground was much too fast at Ayr two weeks ago, so I had to take him out of the Scottish Grand National which was a real shame because he was going into the race in fantastic form. I think this track will really suit his running style and we’ll just allow him time to get into a rhythm and hopefully creep into the race whenever he’s ready, rather than rush and push him all the way. Jerry gets on with him, ever so well and will be playing the waiting game. Hopefully the rain will come and while he’s off a career high mark, I’d still like to think he can be competitive if things fall his way.
Things haven’t really gone right for him this season and I’m not sure how much love he has for the game, which is why we ran him in the Cross Country last time and to be fair he got round and seemed to enjoy the day out, but we’re switching back to conventional fences and putting a set of visors on, which may help him concentrate. He was second in this race off 137 two years ago and is 6lbs higher now which obviously puts him up against it.
4:10pm G2 Select Hurdle
Thomas Campbell (James Bowen)
He can’t run in Handicaps because he’s too high and I had to pull him out of Cheltenham last week because of the ground. To be honest this isn’t a bad race for him and while he gets three miles, he won’t have an issue with this trip and if the ground is good he won’t be far away on his best form.
On The Blind Side (Nico de Boinville)
I am trying to get his confidence back, as he completely lost his way over fences and we’re putting the cheek pieces on. He’s won around here before and back over hurdles I think he can run a big race. He’s a lovely big horse with lots of talent and I wouldn’t rule him out just yet.
5:15pm Handicap Hurdle
Colonial Dreams (Nico de Boinville)
I think he would have a very realistic chance as he ran well at Taunton, but just didn’t seem to handle the track at all, so I think he’ll enjoy it around here and any ‘good’ in the ground will suit. He’s in the handicapper’s grip but on his best form, he shouldn’t be far away.
Article by Trainer and Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson and used with kind permission by the Unibet Blog.
For the full blog and more, visit: www.unibet.co.uk/blog
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