Nicky Henderson Stable Tour Ahead Of Cheltenham

Seven Barrows is home to unbeaten superstar Constitution Hill plus other leading Festival fancies like Epatante, Jonbon, Luccia and Marie’s Rock.

 

Nicky Henderson had his desired wish at the Cheltenham Festival 12 months ago when Constitution Hill took off the heat with pulsating success in the opening Grade 1 Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.  

 

With just four weeks to go until Cheltenham 2023, all eyes on that hurdling superstar who holds an obvious chance of returning in glory in the Unibet Champion Hurdle.

 

The Seven Barrows trainer hovers on 72 Festival winners and it’s all hands on deck down in Lambourn as preparations continue for the highlight of the National Hunt season.

 

Jonbon’s winning effort at Warwick on Saturday may not have been the viewing that his supporters for the Arkle Challenge Trophy would have wished for,  but the Master trainer is hoping the “wake up” call will have registered with another who has high hopes on the opening day.

 

Marie’s Rock was on the mark in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle last March and she is set to return in either that race or the Stayers’ Hurdle and there appeared an eminent feeling of enthusiasm in the prospects of the very exciting and remarkable Luccia in the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

 

At an entertaining morning at Seven Barrows on Monday, Nicky kindly talked to Tony Elves of attheraces.com about the pick of his Prestbury Park party.

 

All Horses

 

8-y-o; bay mare

 

Form profile

132 rated hurdler. Still a maiden over hurdles but finished, runner-up, beaten a length and a quarter, to Love Envoi in the Grade 2 Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m 1f) last March. Pulled up when heavily odds-on for a mares’ novices’ at Wincanton on Boxing Day when bled from the nose.

 

Trainer says:

She will end up in the Mares’ Novices’ definitely. She is in good form and was second in it last year. She is still a novice and how exactly I have done that I have no idea. Last time went wrong but she is doing plenty.

 

4-y-o; bay filly

 

Form profile

115 rated hurdler. Scored by 43 lengths from Greyval when landing her second race over hurdles in a mares event at Kempton (2m) in January but earlier running with Greyval was reversed when she was beaten two lengths by that rival in a Listed Juvenile at Doncaster (2m 1/2f) in January.

 

Trainer says:

I thought I had a Fred Winter horse, and she won her first two starts and finished second in a listed race, but the handicapper gave her 115 – but that would upset my whole plans and she would struggle to get in. She will have to go somewhere else.

 

5-y-o; bay gelding

 

Form profile

132 rated hurdler. Winner of both his starts over hurdles, beating Alien Storm a length at Kempton (2m) in November and following up with a length and quarter defeat of Master Chewy at Cheltenham (2m 1f) in December.

 

Trainer says:

He could run at Ascot this weekend and we will see how he goes and then think of the Ballymore.

 

7-y-o; bay gelding

Breeding: Coastal Path (UK) – Fliugika (FR) (Roi de Rome (USA))

 

Form profile

151 rated chaser. Off the mark over fences when beating Solo nine lengths in a novices’ handicap chase at Kempton (2m 4 1/2f) on Boxing Day off a mark of 133 and very much stepped up on that effort when, runner-up, beaten a length and three quarters in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown (2m 4f) this month.

 

Trainer says:

He is entered in the Brown Advisory and the Turners Novices’ and he would go to Cheltenham – why not? I think there is a bit of improvement to come, and he had a really good blow. I thought he had won the race and I don’t think Gerri Colombe outstayed him I just think there’s a little more to come. It looks quite a good division, but he deserves to take his chance. He jumps well and he loves to be up there.

 

9-y-o; grey gelding

 

Form profile

155 rated hurdler. Winner of the Cesarewitch Handicap on the Flat at Newmarket in October 2021 and not seen out since beating Song For Someone three and a quarter lengths in the Grade 2 Coral Hurdle at Ascot in November of that year.

 

Trainer says:

Buzz is in good form and going well. I’m not going to get a run into him before the Stayers’ Hurdle. Reggy rides him every day and he worked very well on Saturday. He has schooled and he had a horrible injury but that is not so say it’s impossible. He would have to have a racecourse gallop and I would like to do it on grass if I can do. He fractured his pelvis, and it was horrible but a lot of people have been involved and he went and did some dressage to try and build it up. You can see him he is very lopsided and very dropped on one side, but he worked beautifully. I would have thought Aintree might have been the sensible route, but you never know. To get him back would be an amazing thing on its own and we wouldn’t do it unless he was 110% it wouldn’t be fair on him.

 

10-y-o; bay gelding

 

Form profile

146 rated hurdler. Finished runner-up, beaten three lengths, to Green Book in a Pertemps Qualifier at Sandown (2m 7 1/2f) this month off a mark of 144.

 

Trainer says:

He is one of five we have in the Pertemps and I’m going to do a Willie Mullins! He also in the Coral Cup and I wouldn’t be sure he would get three miles at Cheltenham.

 

7-y-o; bay gelding

 

Form profile

141 rated hurdler. Returned to winning form when beating Brazos seven lengths in a handicap hurdle at Cheltenham (3m) in December off a mark 134.

 

Trainer says:

He is another of the Pertemps contenders. He has been put up 7lb for his Cheltenham win but never runs a bad race.

 

11-y-o; bay gelding

 

Form profile

165 rated hurdler. At his best on his reappearance when beating Paisley Park four and a quarter lengths in the Coral Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (3m) in November. Subsequently third, beaten four and three quarter lengths, to Paisley Park in the Long Walk Hurdle at Kempton (3m 1/2f) on Boxing Day.

 

Trainer says

165 rated hurdler. At his best on his reappearance when beating Paisley Park four and a quarter lengths in the Coral Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (3m) in November. Subsequently third, beaten four and three quarter lengths, to Paisley Park in the Long Walk Hurdle at Kempton (3m 1/2f) on Boxing Day.

 

6-y-o; bay gelding

 

Form profile

173 rated hurdler. Has looked formidable in five races since joining the stable and is currently a 1-4 shot for the Grade 1 Unibet Champion Hurdle. His first season culminated in a 22-length victory from Jonbon in the Grade 1 Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m 1/2f) last March and he has look invincible in two runs this term. Made all when beating Epatante 12 lengths in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and then had his stablemate 17 lengths adrift when landing the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Kempton (2m) on Boxing Day.

 

Trainer says:

He is fine, and everything is fine – he worked on Saturday, and we have a few more bits of work to do. He will probably have an awayday and go to Kempton – I would be thinking Newbury but the ground is just too quick at the moment anyway. Unless the weather changes dramatically we will go to Kempton, and I would like him to have a gallop. He’s been around the track and has broken records and you would have to say he’s done most things and he hasn’t done anything wrong but there is plenty that could go wrong and that’s the biggest issue. You know between now and the next four weeks something will be out, and you just have to keep your fingers crossed. “ It would be wonderful to win the Champion Hurdle for Michael Buckley we have been together a long time and we have had many highs and lows and a lot of good horse but also some horrible luck on the way. I thought Spirit Son was going to be a world beater and he sadly died from an accident while he was on holiday, so various things have gone right and wrong. We’ve had some wonderful times with the likes of Finian’s Rainbow and Brain Power, but this is an extraordinary animal. His greatest asset is his head – not that it’s the prettiest – but his whole mind game is brilliant. Not even you guys could frighten him! You could go three miles with him as you just put him to sleep and wake until it is the right moment. Nico knows where the button is and when to press it and it works. It really is as simple as that. He could eventually go over fences and when you look back to win Altior won the Supreme and Buveur D’Air was third and we sat down and thought what to do and I sat down with Pat Hughes and said you will win the Champion Hurdle if you stay over hurdles but it will be too late to go chasing with him another year. We schooled him over fences and there was no doubt he was a chaser. At the same time Buveur D’Air went chasing and he didn’t find it easy – he was hurdling fences and that’s all it takes. We switched it around and put Buveur D’Air over hurdles and he wins two Champion Hurdles. Constitution Hill you can go chasing you can go two and a half miles and why wouldn’t you go three – you can go as far as you like. We will see and you would like to think that if everything went right you would go from Cheltenham to Aintree.

 

9-y-o; bay gelding

 

Form profile

134-rated chaser. Finished third in the Virgin Bet Masters Handicap Chase at Sandown earlier this month.

 

Trainer says:

He was good over three miles and he would be more a Kim Muir horse.

 

9-y-o; bay mare

 

Form profile

153 rated hurdler. Spent her first two starts this season chasing the shadow of Constitution Hill in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth at Newcastle (2m) in November (beaten 12 lengths) and in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton (2m) (beaten 17 lengths). Gained a nice confidence booster in a Grade 2 Mares’ Hurdle at Doncaster (2m 1/2f) at the end of last month when beating Salsada six and a half lengths.

 

Trainer says:

We don’t know at the moment, and she will run in the Champion or the Mares’ Hurdle over two and a half. We will keep an eye on the weather, and it feels as though we are here a bit earlier than usual – we are a week earlier! It’s four weeks to go which is a very long time away and a week is a long time in a horse’s life. She was very good the other day at Doncaster, and we will wait and see how things are going. She did prove that she stayed two and a half at Aintree and it was great to see her win like that the other day. I know she beat nothing, but she showed how good Constitution Hill is as she can still come out and beat her own playmates as easy as that. I thought she was superb and she jumped beautifully.

 

8-y-o; bay mare

 

Form profile

At her best when slamming Zambella four and three quarter lengths in a Listed Mares’ Chase at Market Rasen (3m) in November.

 

Trainer says:

Fantastic Lady will be in the Plate, and she will be there as will Bold Endeavour.

 

6-y-o; bay gelding

 

Form profile

152 rated hurdler. Rapidly improving hurdler last season who was runner-up, beaten a length and a quarter, to State Man in the County Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m 1f) last March off a mark of 142. Has maintained his progress this term and scored by two and a half lengths from Grivetana in a valuable Intermediate Handicap Hurdle at Newbury in November off a mark of 146. Stepped up to two and half miles for the first time when third, beaten six and a half lengths, to Marie’s Rock in the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.

 

Trainer says:

Constitution Hill, First Street and Epatante are still in the Champion and First Street goes to Wincanton on Saturday. He had 12st in the Betfair Hurdle and the Kingwell would be a nice race. He would have to win there very impressively but what else is there to go for? I should put him in the County, but we will see.

 

6-y-o; bay gelding

 

Form profile

Easy 11 length winner from Ittack Blue in a maiden hurdle at Newbury (2m 1/2f) in November but bitterly disappointing when only fifth of 11, beaten 29 lengths, to Jupiter Du Gite in a novice event over that course and distance on New Year’s Eve.

 

Trainer says:

He is fine, but we might just give him three runs this season and go to Aintree. He was disappointing at Newbury and we might just have to wait for next year.

 

7-y-o; bay gelding

 

Form profile

159 chaser and 152 rated hurdler. Beaten only once in nine starts under Rules and that was at the hands of Constitution Hill in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m 1/2f) last March. Jumped well when beating Monmiral seven lengths on his chasing bow at Warwick (2m) in November and followed up with an eight length success from Boothill in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown (1m 7 1/2f) in December. Started at 1-16 for his return to Warwick (2m) in the Grade 2 Kingmaker Novices’ Chase on Saturday and eventually pulled clear for a five and a half lengths from sole rival Calico but has not jumped with his usual alacrity.

 

Trainer says:

I would take the positives out of Saturday and not the negatives. As you saw they turned down the back straight and Aidan just got into a nice rhythm and a roll and just got into not going any quicker. I don’t think Aidan was asleep, but the horse was just relaxed in his own mind and Calico just swooped and it just caught him unaware. The next thing we were four lengths down, but I think it would have done him good and he had a real good blow like he has never done before. It wasn’t pretty to watch and pretty awful from where I was watching as it frightened the living daylights out of me but eventually, he’s quickened up and won nicely which he was entitled to do. On his previous performances he would have won easily but I wanted a lead and that is the first time he has ever jumped a fence behind. I spoke to JP, and we believe it was a wakeup call for him. He had a real good blow and he looked like he was ready to go to the show ring not the Racecourse. I think he needed it much more than we anticipated. They will go a good gallop in the Arkle, and he is sharp and he’s quick and a good jumper. He’s back and he’s fine and he looks like he wants a bit more work done. He is up there more with my other with my other winners of the Arkle and he is good. I’m sure he will go further in time.

 

5-y-o; chestnut mare

 

Form profile

Massively impressive improving mare who is unbeaten in her four starts. Winner of a bumper at Warwick on her debut in January of last year by six and a half lengths from Blow Your Wad and hacked up by 17 lengths from Eabha Grace in a Listed Mares’ bumper at Sandown in March. Made a winning debut over hurdles in a listed Mares’ event at Newbury (2m 1/2f) last November and could hardly have done it any better when slamming Palace Boy 11 lengths in a Listed Novices’ at Exeter (2m 1/2f) yesterday.

 

Trainer says:

I would be in favour of the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle and she ought to run in the Mares’. She was impressive at Exeter on Sunday and Paul, and I will talk nearer the time. She is in the Supreme, but the Mares’ race would be a good chance of providing us with a winner. I do like winning the Supreme as the pressure is off before you begin but we don’t have anything else for the race, but I don’t think it’s the right thing to do personally. If there was forfeit stage, I would have left Luccia in but when you have had the likes of Altior and Shishkins I really was confident and in Altior’s year they were going ‘Min, Min, Min’ but I was very confident Altior would win, and you have to take it all in context. She did this extraordinary thing last year and knocked a stifle and used to do it nearly every day. Unfortunately, she fell over in her box and finished up with both legs stretched splayed and couldn’t get up and the Vet had put the catheter in her neck and I had to ring the owner and tell him. I thought we have got to do something and there is a tendon that goes down her leg and we literally had to do it and they cut the tendon and it released the whole thing. We didn’t know if she would jump but she has an amazing constitution.

 

8-y-o; bay mare

 

Form profile

153 rated hurdler. Goes from strength to strength over hurdles and winner of her last four starts. Successful in the Grade 1 Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m 4f) last March by a length and three quarters from Queens Brook and went onto beat Stormy Ireland a length and a quarter in the Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle at Punchestown (2m 3f) in April. Returned to action in the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham in January and dished out a six-length defeat to Dashel Drasher.

 

Trainer says:

There is a question with Marie’s Rock as it is certainly possible she could move up and run in the Stayers’. Tom Palin and I have discussed and will discuss a lot more there won’t be a decision in the near future. You have Gordon’s horse who has impressed, and dear old Paisley Park while Champ is going to Aintree – they are not bad but there isn’t a standout. In the Mares’ Hurdle you have Epatante, Honeysuckle and we might even have Theatre Glory so there is a bit to be said about at least considering the Stayers’ and the ground may have a fair bit to do with the decision. Theatre Glory would want good ground but would have to be supplemented as would Epatante. You can take it they are intended runners and Epatante should be treated as an intended runner. I know Marie’s Rock hasn’t run over three miles, but she won the Relkeel Hurdle on New Year’s Day, and she stayed on very well both times and flies up the Hill. I was very impressed, and she is fresh and well, and all things are ready for go.

 

8-y-o; bay gelding

 

Form profile

140 rated chaser. Runner-up, beaten two and a half lengths, to Chambard in the Kim Muir Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase at Cheltenham (3m 2f) last March off a mark of 137. Runner-up both starts this term and beaten only a length by Guetapan Collonges in a handicap chase at Uttoxeter (3m) on Saturday.

 

Trainer says:

Mister Coffey will go for the National Hunt Chase and Derek will ride again. I was disappointed he got beat at Warwick, but we wanted to make the running and we had a false start and then a standing start and the trouble was he stayed standing. He then got caught horribly wide the whole way around. Personally, I think he should have won but we got a run into him, and he ran a good race, and the National Hunt Chase is what we have been aiming at all along.

 

7-y-o; bay gelding

 

Form profile

139 rated hurdler. Finished ninth, beaten 22 lengths, to Aucunrisque in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury (2m 1/2f) on Saturday.

 

Trainer says:

He will be entered in the County Hurdle and could go there but he hasn’t been performing as well as we would have expected.

 

5-y-o; bay gelding

 

Form profile

Runner-up, beaten five lengths, to Peaky Boy in a point-to-point in Ireland in March of last year. Made the perfect start to his hurdling career when beating Dikayen two and a quarter lengths in an Introductory Hurdle at Ascot (1m 7 1/2f) in November.

 

Trainer says:

He is entered in the Ballymore and is in at Ascot at the weekend. The ground is a worry and Attaca wouldn’t mind that ground. He would have to toodle in to go and run in the Ballymore.

 

Scarpia (IRE)

9-y-o; chestnut gelding

Breeding: Sans Frontieres (IRE) – Bunglasha Lady (IRE) (Snurge (UK))

Trained by: N J Henderson

Last Race: Huntingdon, 27 Jan 2023 15:35

Result: 3/12, close up, tracked leaders 6th, ridden 2 out, stayed on flat

View full form

 

 

Track

Form profile

123 rated hurdler. Finished third, beaten a length and a half, to Itchy Feet in a handicap hurdle at Huntingdon (3m) at the end of January off a mark of 120.

 

Trainer says

He would be one for the Pertemps Final, but I don’t think he will get in off his mark. He ran a very nice race at Huntingdon last time.

 

9-y-o; bay gelding

 

Form profile

174 rated chaser. Crack chaser who won his first seven races over fences and was involved in an epic encounter with Energumene when gaining his last success in the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase at Ascot (2m 1f) in January 2022. Pulled up when odds-on in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham (2m) last March and finished third, beaten 15 lengths, to Edwardstone in the Grade 1 Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown (1m 7 1/2f) on his return in December.

 

Trainer says:

He goes to Ascot and after that, ask Matt Chapman! He tells me I’m a plonker. I’ve nothing for the Champion Chase, unless Matt Chapman is right and I’m a complete so and so for not entering Shishkin. We’ll find that out on Saturday. He maybe should have been in the Queen Mother, but Shishkin has been working like a horse that needs further for me and I hope I am right otherwise I will be doing a lot more supplementing! I would have thought the Ryanair and if he doesn’t stay two and a half, I’m in a right pickle. I’m hoping that they are watering at Ascot but if it was that quick, he would have to go straight to Cheltenham. I hope it won’t be.

 

8-y-o; bay gelding

 

Form profile

134 rated hurdler. Scored by three quarters of a length from Stellar Magic in Pertemps Qualifier at Wincanton (3m 1/2f) on Boxing Day off a mark of 128.

 

Trainer says

Steal A March it would be nice for The King to have a runner and he could go for the Pertemps. He won a qualifier at Wincanton on Boxing Day and has been a model of consistency.

 

6-y-o; bay mare

 

Form profile

136 rated chaser. Progressing nicely over fences and creditable effort in a listed Mares Chase at Huntingdon (2m 4f) at the end of January when third, beaten 13 lengths, to Jeremys Flame.

 

Trainer says:

She is going to go to Kempton for the Pendil. We want to get some black type for her.

 

6-y-o; bay gelding

 

133 rated hurdler. Alway doing enough when scoring by three and a quarter lengths from Sabrina in a Pertemps Qualifer at Exeter (2m 7f) on Sunday.

 

Trainer says: