The British two-mile novices came up trumps in spades when returning the first four home in the 2026 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Old Park Star made it four-from-four over hurdles when getting up late on to beat Sober Glory. Sat in second throughout, he came off the bridle on the home turn with Sober Glory going well, who ended his chances with a mistake at the last. Old Park Star took advantage off that loss of momentum, staying on best of all. Mydaddypaddy was hampered when having to come in between rivals, but still ran a gallant third.
Alan King’s Baron Noir filled the frame, leaving the seven Irish-trained runners trailing in behind.
Old Park Star has an ‘enormous future’ – Nicky Henderson
Nicky Henderson was elated with his star’s performance. Speaking to the Racing Post, Henderson first joked: “it’s nice to be one up after one”, referring to the Prestbury Park Cup often dominated by the Irish.
“He was probably still quite green” continued Henderson. “Sober Glory set a good gallop and we had a bit of ground to make up but he’s got gears as well. It’s nice to do that up the hill.
“People might say he’d get a bit further but he doesn’t need to. Stamina kicked in but you’ve got to stay well. You won’t win this otherwise.
“It got tough out there, he had to quicken off a good, solid pace. He made a bit of a mess of the last but it was brave to come up the hill like that.”
“I think he’s got an enormous future. He’s not the finished article by a very long way, he’s big and quite babyish too. There’s a lot of improvement to come.
“He looks like a chaser in the making. You’d imagine that’s what we do but nothing’s cast in stone, he could do anything. But I’d expect he goes chasing next season.
“We’ll see about this season, we’ve got four weeks until Aintree so we’ll look and see. This horse might have done enough this season.”
Nicky Henderson has won the Supreme on four occasions, with two going on to win the Arkle next season. Altior was the first in 2017, before Shiskhin in 2021. Old Park Star is reminiscent of that pair, and fans are more than likely to see Old Park Star bid to emulate them in 2027.