Tag Archive for: Kempton

Sat TV Trends: 15th March 2025

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So, that’s Cheltenham over, but this Saturday there is still plenty of racing action as the ITV cameras head to Uttoxeter for the Midlands National, plus they are also at Kempton for a jumps fixture.

As always, we’ve got all the trends and stats for all the LIVE ITV races – we hope they help pin-point a few winners.

Uttoxeter Horse Racing Trends

1:50 – Jenningsbet 200 Shops Nationwide Handicap Hurdle Cl3 (4yo+ 0-130) 2m4f ITV4

Only 2 past runnings
Dan Skelton and Peter Bowen have won the race before
No winning favourite yet
Both winners carried between 11-9 and 11-10
Both winners aged between 7-9 years-old
Trainer Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole has a 23% strike-rate with his hurdlers at the track
Trainer Dan Skelton has a 20% strike-rate with his hurdlers at the track
Trainer Ian Williams is just 1 from 30 with his hurdlers at the track

2:25 – Jenningsbet Handicap Hurdle Cl3 (4yo+ 0-125) 2m 7 1/2f ITV4

Only 2 previous runnings
Dan Skelton and Kim Bailey have won the race before
No winning favourite yet
Both winners carried between 10-6 and 10-11
Both winners aged between 6-7
Trainer Anthony Honeyball has a 24% strike-rate with his hurdlers at the track
Trainer Dan Skelton has a 20% strike-rate with his hurdlers at the track
Jockey Jack Tudor is just 2 from 47 riding over hurdles at the track
Jockey David Noonan is just 3 from 53 riding over hurdles at the track

3:00 – Jenningsbet Midlands Grand National Chase Handicap (Listed Race) Cl1 4m1f110y ITV4

19/21 – Aged 9 or younger
19/21 – Had won between 1-4 times over fences before
18/21 – Carried 10-12 or less
18/21 – Had won over at least 3m (fences) before
17/21 – Won by an Irish bred horse
16/21 – Had raced within the last 8 weeks
14/21 – Had never run at Uttoxeter before
14/21 – Carried 10-10 or less
14/21 – Finished in the top 3 last time out
14/21 – Unplaced favourites
12/21 – Officially rated 135 or less
12/21 – Returned a double-figure-price in the betting
12/21 – Aged 7 or 8 years-old
10/21 – Came from the top 3 in the betting
6/21 – Won last time out
4/21 – Trained by David Pipe
3/21 – Won by an Irish-trained horse
3/21 – Winning favourites
2/21 - Trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies
11 of the last 14 winners aged 8 or 9
11 of the last 14 winners were aged either 8 or 9
The average winning SP in the last 20 runnings is 11/1
5 of the last 12 winners were ridden by a conditional jockey

3:35 – Jenningsbet Novices’ Handicap Chase Cl2 3m ITV4

18/21 – Aged 8 or younger
17/21 – Carried 10-9 or more
14/21 – Returned 7/1 or less
13/21 – Came from the top 3 in the betting
13/21 – Had raced within the last 4 weeks
13/21 – Had won between 1-2 times over fences before
13/21 – Never raced at Uttoxeter before
12/21 – Had won over at least 3m (chases) before
12/21 – Placed last time out
11/21 – Aged 7 years-old
10/21 – Unplaced favourites
5/21 – Won last time out
4/21 – Trained by Harry Fry (4 of last 11 runnings)
3/21 – Winning favourites

Kempton Park Horse Racing Trends

2:10 - Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase Cl3 (5yo+ 0-130) 2m2f ITV4

2 previous runnings
Trainers Nicky Henderson and L J Morgan have won the race before
No winning favourite
Both winners carried between 11-6 and 11-8
Both winners 5/1 or shorter
Both winners aged between 6-8
Trainer Nicky Henderson has a 22% strike-rate with his chasers at the track
Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies is just 2 from 31 with his chasers at the track

2:45 – Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Handicap Hurdle Cl2 2m5f ITV4

1 past running
Dan Skelton's Boombawn won the race in 2024
Trainer Philip Hobbs and Johnson White have a 40% strike-rate with his hurdlers at the track
Trainer Nicky Henderson has a 23% strike-rate with his hurdlers at the track
Trainer Olly Murphy is just 1 from 20 with his hurdlers at the track

3:20 – Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Handicap Chase Cl3 2m4f110y ITV4

4 previous runnings
Outlaw Peter won the race 12 months ago
All 4 winners aged 7 (1) or 8 (3)
All 4 winners carried between 11-1 and 11-6
Paul Nicholls has trained the last 2 winners
Harry Cobden has ridden the last 2 winners
3 of the last 4 winners aged 8
All 4 winners carried between 11-1 and 11-6
Trainer Ben Pauling has a 24% strike-rate with his chasers at the track
Jockey Ben Jones is 4-8 (50%) riding over fences at the track

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De Boinville: I think he’s in really good order… we’re where we should be

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Nico de Boinville had a beaming smile on his face after Constitution Hill came home in splendid isolation during his Kempton Park gallop on Tuesday morning.

It was in stark contrast to the glum faces that were on show at the Sunbury venue a year ago when National Hunt racing’s star performer produced a lacklustre effort on the Kempton Polytrack, which subsequently revealed a respiratory infection that ended his hopes of a Champion Hurdle defence.

De Boinville’s delight was matched by Constitution Hill’s trainer Nicky Henderson and owner Michael Buckley, who shared a warm embrace after the unbeaten eight-year-old scorched clear of work partners That’s Nice and Aston Martini, with the Seven Barrows number one saying he “couldn’t be happier” ahead of the gelding’s quest to land a second Champion triumph.

The Constitution Hill team after winning on Cheltenham Festival Trials day
The Constitution Hill team after winning on Cheltenham Festival Trials day (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Reflecting on the difference 12 months can make, De Boinville said: “Last year was an absolute disaster, but it just shows, last year we learned a great deal and we learned he wasn’t right and we could pull stumps there, but today we learned he’s good to go and we can crack on.

“I was confident in that I knew where he was at home and I think that just proved we knew where he was.

“After his piece of work the other day, we thought it would benefit him, just to open him up a little bit. I didn’t want to do much and obviously it’s a fine line. Right now I really couldn’t be happier with him and we’ve two weeks to go now.

“It’s another day and another year and where we are today is very different to where we were last year and today was a big day in all these horses’ lives. To come through it and put the finishing touches to everything was great.”

Kempton has proved rather central to the Constitution Hill story over the past 12 months, as the place where his well-documented struggles began was also the venue for a glorious return when downing Lossiemouth in Boxing Day’s Christmas Hurdle.

He sharpened the tools further when surviving a final-flight hiccup at Cheltenham in the Unibet Hurdle on Festival Trials day and his appearance in the London suburbs was very much a case of adding the final touches, with the Champion Hurdle just two weeks to the day away.

De Boinville added: “It’s a great feeling when you go clear like he did today and I was delighted with him – and it was good fun for Sam (Twiston-Davies on That’s Nice) and James (Bowen on Aston Martini) to see him up close as well.

“He’s done a bit of schooling and he’ll go again next week – we’ve still got a few things to do, but we’re getting there. He’s been absolutely fine, no problems and we’re where we should be.

“I don’t think he had much of a race at Cheltenham last time and I think he’s in really good order.”

Over the next two weeks it will be revealed which, if either, of star mares Brighterdaysahead or Lossiemouth will join defending champion State Man in attempting to lower Constitution Hill’s colours at Prestbury Park.

Brighterdaysahead could be in opposition at Cheltenham
Brighterdaysahead could be in opposition at Cheltenham (Damien Eagers/PA)

It would be fitting if De Boinville were to bring up his 50th Grade One victory aboard one of the best he has ridden and, poker face or not, he seems unconcerned about the opposition.

“We don’t mind what rocks up on the day and it’s no different to usual, we just want to win the race,” said the 35-year-old.

“Certainly if the two mares turn up then the Mares’ Hurdle will become a bit easier for some of the others. But either way it doesn’t matter and it is probably of more interest to you guys (press) and the public than me.”

A total of 12 members of the Seven Barrows string enjoyed stretching their legs, in what Henderson was insistent was an “away day” rather than “blistering” work.

De Boinville also threw his leg across the enigmatic Mister Coffey, Impose Toi and most importantly JCB Triumph Hurdle favourite Lulamba, as he explained just what the Lambourn operation set out to discover on this key morning of the pre-Cheltenham Festival jigsaw.

Lulamba in full flow at Kempton
Lulamba in full flow at Kempton (Adam Morgan/PA)

He explained: “Lulamba felt great and I didn’t want to do too much. He’s fit and ready to go, hence why we didn’t want to do much today.

“These gallops are beneficial to the training regime rather than a test, as it were. Every horse has got their own plan and we know exactly where we want to be with each one.

“We’ve all got various instructions and it’s just a case of listening and riding accordingly. It’s never a case of who is going better, it’s about finishing where they should finish according to how much they need to be doing.

“We look at where they are in their coat and the condition they are carrying and then we make a decision on where they need to be.”



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‘Frightening to watch’ – all systems go for Constitution Hill after Kempton gallop

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Constitution Hill completely erased the memory of last year as he delighted Nicky Henderson in his pre-Cheltenham Festival gallop at Kempton Park on Tuesday.

The eight-year-old has an unblemished record under rules, winning each of his 10 hurdles starts with eight of those victories coming at the highest level.

However, he met with a setback during his warm-up gallop 12 months ago, when a lacklustre display revealed Henderson’s superstar was suffering from a respiratory infection which scuppered any hope of defending the Unibet Champion Hurdle crown he had won in sublime style in 2023.

A suspected bout of colic brought about an early end to his campaign in March before his gallops woes struck again prior to his anticipated seasonal bow in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

A laboured effort behind subsequently sidelined stablemate Sir Gino was followed by a short period of lameness that meant he did not hit the track until his triumphant return in the Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day.

He has since served a further reminder of his star qualities with victory at Cheltenham on Trials day and there was not a moment of drama in his mid-morning gallop at Kempton, with big-race pilot Nico de Boinville allowing him to pull clear of work partners That’s Nice and Aston Martini.

The horse’s owner Michael Buckley was also on hand and Henderson felt 12 months made all the difference.

He said: “Nico’s face, my face and Michael’s face will probably tell you it’s a different day. That’s him and it’s good to watch really isn’t it – it’s frightening to watch, actually.

“We’ve been so happy and you’ve just got to blank out last year. We knew before we actually came here last year that these horses weren’t flying and it was going to be harder to get through, whereas today everything has gone perfect.

“It was great that you’re (press) all here (to watch) and you can make your own minds up.”

Henderson does not expect Constitution Hill to complete too much more strenuous work ahead of his Festival target.

He added: “(He won’t do) much more. He had a good bit on Friday and that was to decide whether to come here and I was in two minds, but Nico said ‘I think he will enjoy it and it will be fun’ and that really will do him.

“It’s (Champion Hurdle) on the Tuesday, so it’s the first day so we’ve got two weeks to go and we wouldn’t want to do much more this week. He will jump some hurdles, probably on Monday or Tuesday of next week, and I’d say he’d probably have one more gallop on our grass.”

Constitution Hill worked over two miles in company with his 126-rated stablemates, with Henderson admitting he did not expect That’s Nice and Aston Martini to keep pace.

He said: “That was a two-horse gallop and a one-horse gallop and we had to do that because there’s no point in the others trying to go with him, we know that. They were doing their own thing and it’s not as if he’s had to do anything – that was just pure, raw natural pace.

“It had to go right today, we all know that. He’s had a great season so far, that was great and we have a fortnight to finish our work off and our job is done, then it’s over to Nico.

“You would never tire of watching this horse, as that was very special. He’s very special.”

When Constitution Hill won on Trials day, he made a rare mistake at the final obstacle and a tongue-in-cheek Henderson suggested the weather could perhaps provide a solution to that concern.

He joked: “The sun may be down the racecourse that afternoon, they might not even have that last hurdle!”



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Constitution Hill to gallop at Kempton Park on Tuesday

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Constitution Hill will complete his Cheltenham Festival preparations with a gallop at Kempton Park on Tuesday morning.

The unbeaten eight-year-old undertook a similar workout 12 months ago and the lacklustre exercise proved to be the start of a number of issues that then kept him off the track for a full year.

Trainer Nicky Henderson found his 2023 Champion Hurdle hero to be suffering from a respiratory infection which scuppered a Cheltenham defence before a suspected bout of colic brought about an early end to his campaign last March.

Constitution Hill was pencilled in to return in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle in November but following a Newbury gallop where he was behind Sir Gino in November, he had short period of lameness that meant he did not hit the track until the Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day.

He easily accounted for Lossiemouth on that occasion and a subsequent Trials day success at Cheltenham means he is the 4-7 favourite with the sponsors to regain his Unibet Champion Hurdle crown.

Despite last year’s troubles, Henderson has no qualms about revisiting his traditional Festival preparation, with JCB Triumph Hurdle favourite Lulamba and his rival Palladium both set to have a spin after sidestepping a possible Kempton run on Saturday.

Speaking at the Sunbury track, Henderson said: “They’re all coming apart from Jonbon, Nico is quite keen for Constitution Hill to come.

“He did a bit of work yesterday (Friday) and Nico was very pleased with him, but we just think having a nice time around here will do him good. It won’t be any blistering head-shaking gallop, it will just be an away day rather than doing three strong pieces of work at home.

“Lulamba will be here and thank goodness I didn’t bring those four-year-olds here for the Adonis in that ground, that would have been a big mistake, so both Lulamba and Palladium will gallop.

“Jonbon is the one who won’t be here and he galloped this morning and I couldn’t be happier. But don’t forget he has run recently and doesn’t need it since the Clarence House. The rest will be here for a nice day out.”



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Mambonumberfive a big hit, as Mondo Man disappoints

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Mondo Man suffered a shock defeat as Mambonumberfive proved far too sharp in the Ladbrokes Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton.

All eyes were on the Gary and Josh Moore-trained Mondo Man, who had finished second to Triumph Hurdle favourite Lulamba on his British bow having cost €520,000 last autumn after a Flat campaign highlighted by fifth place in the French Derby.

Having been far too keen at Ascot, Caoilin Quinn was keen to settle Mondo Man in the early exchanges, with the 5-6 favourite anchored at the back of the five-runner field, sitting well behind pacesetters Opec and St Pancras.

Mondo Man looked to be travelling noticeably well approaching the last couple of flights, but a lacklustre jump at the penultimate obstacle cost him valuable momentum, while the Ben Pauling-trained Mambonumberfive (10-1) was still on the bridle and cleared the final two hurdles neatly.

Finishing full of running, he came home a length-and-a-quarter winner in the hands of Ben Jones, with St Pancras in second and Mondo Man a further half-length back in third.

“He was a nice horse in France and always looked like a great big individual who was going to take time,” said Pauling, who had sent his charge to Cheltenham on Trials day on his first start for the yard.

“He went to Cheltenham and ran with the choke out, did everything wrong then fell into a hole. I think he’s such a big sort of horse he just wan’t fit and I hold my hands up, I was probably so impressed by what he was doing at home and didn’t give him enough graft.

“We got him back and got stuck into him and that was a lovely round. He kicked the first four out the ground and there is improvement to come, but he got better as the race went on and there will be improvement to come as this is probably not his track.”

Pauling sees Mambonumberfive as a horse for the future and removed him from the JCB Triumph Hurdle mix, but he still holds an entry for the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival for which he is now a best-priced 14-1 with Coral from 20s.

However, a trip to Aintree for the Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle would appear more likely.

“He’s 17 hands and I would say he’s a chaser and I’ve always been thinking two years down the line so this is a bonus,” continued Pauling.

“I’m not sure what to make of the form, but it’s a good result and great for the owners who are big supporters of mine. It’s important for these days to go well.

“He’ll run again and we’ve lost our maiden tag now so we may as well try to have some fun. I’ve took him out of the Triumph which is looking like a mistake now, but he’s in the Fred Winter.

“Is the Fred Winter the type of race he wants? I’m not sure and I would say he’s more likely to go to Aintree, it’s a race that fits nicely. We won’t get carried away and it’s probably a good job he isn’t in the Triumph as it just gives him time.”



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Rubaud digs deep to give Nicholls another Pendil triumph

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Rubaud battled back to give trainer Paul Nicholls a 14th victory in the Ladbrokes Pendil Novices’ Chase at Kempton.

Harry Cobden set out to make all on 5-4 favourite Rubaud, but Imperial Saint was snapping at his heels throughout as the pair set a decent pace up front.

They never really managed to build an advantage over the field, however, and only Bhaloo was clearly out of contention when the gallop turned up a notch, with Rubaud initially caught for gears and making a couple of notable jumping errors as Imperial Saint tried to assert.

Cobden managed to get his mount back on an even keel and he was back in front turning into the straight and while Boombawn and Mark Of Gold pushed him hard, Rubaud just kept finding for pressure to prevail by a length.

Nicholls said: “I’m amazed he won, going down the back I thought he was in a bit of trouble. I thought he was never going to win, but he came back and showed some class. He’s a tough horse.

“He hates the ground like that and it’s the first time he’s ever won on soft ground. He’s a much better horse on better ground.

“He had a hard enough race at Warwick in the Kingmaker and two weeks between is quick enough, but he toughed it out there and stayed on really strongly which obviously was a doubt.”

Rubaud’s success comes a week after Nicholls’ first Grade One victory of the season with Pic d’Orhy at Ascot and his latest Pendil hero will now be prepared for a shot at the Manifesto Novices’ Chase that opens Aintree’s Grand National meeting on April 3.

Rubaud was brave to win the Pendil
Rubaud was brave to win the Pendil (Nigel French/PA)

“We’ll freshen him up and go to Aintree for the two-and-a-half-mile novice race,” continued Nicholls.

“To do that and stay on strong just opens up some options, but the key to him is good ground. We can get him better than he was today and we’ll move on to Aintree.

“He’s pulled a front shoe off and when he’s done that he’s overreached as well, but it’s superficial.

“I’m delighted and we’ve had some nice winners now – the horses definitely haven’t been right through January, but they’re just getting there now and we’re looking forward to hopefully a nice spring where we’ll be doing the best we can.”

Tripoli Flyer on his way to Dovecote glory
Tripoli Flyer on his way to Dovecote glory (Nigel French/PA)

Tripoli Flyer (5-2) advanced his Festival claims with a straightforward victory in the Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle.

Fergal O’Brien’s charge more than had the measure of favourite Miami Magic as both made a bit of a hash of the final obstacle, with the latter also stumbling on the landing side to scupper any hopes of rallying on the run to the line.

In any case, Tripoli Flyer appeared to have plenty in reserve, as he galloped out a seven-and-a-half-length winner, with Betfair slicing his odds to 16-1 from 40s for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

O’Brien said: “He’s got a huge engine and Johnny (Burke, jockey) said you can put him where you want in a race, he’s got an explosive bit of speed about him. He thought he could have waited a bit longer maybe but he got the job done and we were here to win this.

“I felt very hopeful coming from Musselburgh and it wasn’t nice watching him up there down the back. But when he opened him up turning into the straight he was very good.

“He’s so relaxed and has got a great mind which you need for a good athlete, especially these two-milers. Johnny said coming in that soon as you switch him on and away he goes.

“I think he’s genuinely better going right-handed and he does jump a bit right but if it’s nice ground – and I wouldn’t want him running on soft ground – I do think he’s earned his chance to go to the Supreme. He’s won plenty now and definitely deserves a go.”

Philip Hobbs and Johnson White were out of luck with Imperial Saint in the Pendil, but got on the scoresheet via Saint Anapolino, who could have booked a ticket to the Cheltenham Festival when bringing up a hat-trick in the Ladbrokes ‘Big-Value You Can Bet On’ Handicap Hurdle.

Saint Anapolino (left) on his way to victory
Saint Anapolino (left) on his way to victory (Nigel French/PA)

White said of the 5-1 winner: “He’s kept improving in all his runs and is still reasonably green and not the easiest to settle, but he’s learning with every run he’s had and settled nicely today which he needed to do to get the extra trip.

“He’s got entries at Cheltenham and we’ll get him home and make sure he’s OK and check with the owners what is the best way forward.

“It’s a massive step up from what he’s done so far and he’s definitely progressive and going in the right way.

“I think a Cheltenham handicap would suit him down to the ground, it would be a fast-run race and he stays, while equally he travels, so I think he will be very well suited to it. In time he would get further as well but we’ll stick to this sort of trip for now.



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Mondo tests Triumph claims in Adonis assignment

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Mondo Man will try to capitalise on the absence of Lulamba and Palladium and book his ticket to the JCB Triumph Hurdle in Saturday’s Ladbrokes Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton.

Most of the build-up had been dominated by which of Nicky Henderson’s star juveniles would line up at the Sunbury venue, but the Seven Barrows handler opted to run neither featured in the Grade Two event.

That leaves Gary and Josh Moore’s Mondo Man to head the six runners having chased home Lulamba at Ascot on his first hurdling appearance for new connections.

A high-class Flat performer who was both fifth in the French Derby and also fourth at Royal Ascot last summer, he cost owners John and Yvonne Stone €520,000 in the autumn.

However, he proved much to keen on his first outing over obstacles, with his team hoping a for a more restrained display at Kempton.

“He was too fresh at Ascot, but I hope he will switch off much better this time,” said Josh Moore.

“He finished off well despite how hard he was on himself, but we think it definitely put paid to his chances anyway.

“William Buick had warned us he might be keen, but at home he’s a complete sheep. He was undoubtedly too keen and at Ascot you turn downhill for half a mile after passing the winning line and it’s a long way downhill when keen.

“His fitness has come on and he’s been as good as gold since. He’s been training well and has come on for the run, it has taken a bit of gassiness out of him and that’s what improves him.

“It’s a good opportunity for him and hopefully he can make the most of it, but at the end of the day it’s only his second time over hurdles. He needs to put behind how he behaved the last day and hopefully we see a different horse here.”

Much further down the field behind Lulamba and Mondo Man at Ascot was Toby Lawes’ St Pancras in fifth.

The son of Siyouni was much improved when showing plenty of speed and quality to scoop Listed honours at Musselburgh earlier this month, with his handler feeling there could be more to come up in grade as they meet Mondo Man for a second time.

Lawes said: “He’s a lovely horse and improving all the time and we were delighted with the win at Musselburgh. It was a proper performance and if you check the fractions, he showed some serious pace in the final three or four furlongs.

“I think he showed a speedier side to him than we had seen before and he showed he has plenty of class.

“We do have a penalty for a class one win, but at the same time he is coming forward and it is an interesting race for us to take our chance in.

“I would expect us to close the gap with Mondo Man from Ascot with the experience we’ve gained. He’s a nice horse who is taking his racing well and I don’t think he’s the finished article just yet.”

He added: “If he won on Saturday we could definitely look at going to Aintree or Punchestown, but I do think we still have plenty to find with the Triumph Hurdle favourites and I didn’t want to take him to a Fred Winter.

“There are some interesting avenues we can take and with Lulamba not running, it brought this race much more firmly into play for us.”

Another winner north of the border at Musselburgh during their trials weekend was Fergal O’Brien’s Tripoli Flyer, who now bids for a hat-trick in the Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle on the card.

“I’m looking forward to him running and he was very impressive last time at Musselburgh,” said O’Brien.

“His jumping seems to be getting better and better and what you like to see with young horses is that they are improving. His jumping was a bit shabby to start off with at Musselburgh but when it mattered, he really put in some good leaps over the last three and we were delighted with him.”

Stuart Edmunds’ Miami Magic sets the standard judged on his Aintree Grade One second on Boxing Day, but Celtic Dino was not disgraced when fourth in the same Formby Novices’ Hurdle and attempts to provide his trainer Sam Thomas with back-to-back victories in this Grade Two contest.

“He’s a stone better on good or quick ground and although we got beat at Aintree, it only just confirms to us what we sort of thought anyway, that we won’t be going anywhere near any racetrack that has soft in the description,” Thomas said.

“He’s such a good, strong travelling, good moving horse; he was devastating at Wincanton when the ground was quick at the start of the season and that’s the ground he needs. I’m expecting a big run on Saturday if we get the ground.”

Ben Pauling had to settle for second with Fiercely Proud 12 months ago, but now looks to go one better with his Uttoxeter winner Roysse.

Pauling said: “I’m looking forward to seeing him, I really am. I think the quick pace and the track will suit, he’s in very good order and it will give us an indication as to where we’re going with him.

“He’s a horse I’ve always thought has got a huge engine, which he has. We’ve done so much work with his jumping and hopefully it will pay dividends in the race.”



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Hyland fling at Kempton seen as ideal stop on way to Aintree

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A bold showing in Saturday’s Ladbrokes Trophy could see Hyland bid to provide Nicky Henderson with a long-awaited first victory in the Randox Grand National.

The Seven Barrows handler may have been at the top of his profession for over 40 years, with six British trainers’ titles and 73 Cheltenham Festival wins on his glittering CV, but success in the world’s most famous steeplechase has so far proved elusive.

Henderson must have thought it was a matter of time after his very first runner, Zongalero, finished best of the rest behind Rubstic in 1979, while the The Tsarevich occupied the same spot in Maori Venture’s National year in 1987.

The 74-year-old has yet to better those results despite several subsequent attempts, and 43 in total – but in promising novice Hyland he hopes he has unearthed a genuine contender.

Nicky Henderson at Seven Barrows on Monday
Nicky Henderson at Seven Barrows on Monday (Adam Davy/PA)

The eight-year-old has won three of his five starts over fences to date and did not do much wrong when filling the runner-up spot behind The Jukebox Man in the Grade One Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Hyland is prominent in the market for the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham next month, but Henderson has decided to instead target this weekend’s £150,000 feature at Kempton before keeping his powder dry for Aintree in six weeks’ time.

“We’re doing something different – he’ll run at Kempton on Saturday and then hopefully go for the Grand National, that’s the plan,” said the veteran trainer.

“We’re going this route because we don’t want to go to Cheltenham and we do want to go to Aintree. That’s the gist of it.”

Sam Thomas saddles the 2023 winner of this race, Our Power, as well as Katate Dori.

Our Power returns in fine fettle after finishing second in two competitive handicaps at Cheltenham since returning from a year off the track, while Katate Dori was last seen filling the runner-up spot when bidding to complete a hat-trick over fences at Wincanton last month.

Thomas said: “Our Power has had a little freshen up since running at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day and he loves Kempton, albeit he might find it a little bit quick in the middle of the race when he seems to be a bit flat-footed.

“But he’s obviously won the race and finished third in it so we go there with full of hope. I think he’s in a really good place. I’m looking forward to it.

“Katate Dori is probably wanting further more than the bare three miles to be honest and it’s a tough ask for a novice going into this race, but he is one that I think will certainly, if he keeps himself out of trouble and gets into some sort of rhythm and isn’t too outpaced, come home strong.

“We are taking it as it comes with him because at the start of the season we were only racing at 110 – he’s taken a big step up.”

Lowry’s Bar in action at Windsor
Lowry’s Bar in action at Windsor (Adam Davy/PA)

Lowry’s Bar is a major contender for the training partnership of Philip Hobbs and Johnson White, having been rerouted to Kempton after missing the Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot last weekend.

“The original plan was to run in the Reynoldstown but very frustratingly he pulled up lame on Friday afternoon just with a bit of bruising in his toe. He was absolutely sound by Sunday morning which was good news, but obviously it was frustrating that the one day he was lame he missed Ascot,” said White.

“I thought the extra stamina test Ascot would have provided him would have suited him as he stayed on very well round Windsor last time and would have gone very close but for a mistake three out. He was coming back at the winner towards the line and I don’t think a flatter track will hinder him anyway.

“I think he’s got a very nice profile for a race like this and is very much on the upgrade. He’s less exposed than others in the field and we very much hope he’s progressing which is what you need to be in a race of this calibre.”

Course and distance winner Beachcomber (Jonjo and AJ O’Neill), Golden Son (Paul Nicholls) and Heltenham (Dan Skelton) also feature in a competitive contest.



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Conditions key to Rubaud’s Pendil potential

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Good ground could prove crucial as course specialist Rubaud attempts to enhance Paul Nicholls’ stellar record in Saturday’s Ladbrokes Pendil Novices’ Chase at Kempton.

The 14-time champion trainer has won the Grade Two event a record 13 times, with Ditcheat stars Frodon (2017), Cyrname (2018) and Pic d’Orhy (2022) just three to shine in the event as novices before marching on to bigger and better things.

Having missed out on the first prize with Tahmuras 12 months ago, Nicholls once again has a leading player in Rubaud as he seeks to get his hands back on the trophy.

Trainer Paul Nicholls has won the Pendil Novices' Chase 13 times
Trainer Paul Nicholls has won the Pendil Novices’ Chase 13 times (Steven Paston for the Jockey Club/PA)

The seven-year-old has won three times at the course over hurdles and although a faller here on his chasing debut, now steps up in trip having given a respectable account when second in the Kingmaker at Warwick earlier this month.

“He’s fit and well and will love the ground,” said Nicholls.

“He likes Kempton and we’ve had plenty of success in that race, so it would be nice to have another winner.

“We’ll go there and give it our best shot and he’s in good shape, but the key to him is good ground and hopefully the ground stays that way.”

Standing in Rubaud’s way is Imperial Saint, who has excelled for Philip Hobbs and Johnson White at Aintree this term and put up a fine effort in defeat when placed in handicap company at Cheltenham on Festival Trials day.

White said: “I was delighted with the way he ran at Cheltenham and a few people mentioned that maybe a flat track was key for him which we never actually thought was necessary, it was just the way the races had panned out that he’s ended up on a flat track.

Imperial Saint in action at Aintree earlier this season
Imperial Saint in action at Aintree earlier this season (Nigel French/PA)

“The step up in trip has brought improvement from him and I think he will step up further again in time. But there is no rush on that for now and we will see what happens on Saturday before making a plan for the future.

“He’s a horse very much on the upgrade and there is no reason to think that is going to stop at this time.”

Irish raider Ashdale Bob got off the mark over fences last summer and the 10-year-old, who brings plenty of back class to the table, has been kept fresh since winning at Galway last August.

Dan Skelton’s Boombawn is already a winner at this level having bagged the Rising Stars Novices’ Chase at Wincanton in the autumn, while Gary and Josh Moore’s Noel Novices’ Chase scorer Mark Of Gold is also a previous Grade Two victor.

Nicky Henderson’s Bhaloo completes the field of six.



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Kempton rain would be appreciated by Lowry’s Bar team

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Johnson White is anxiously waiting for rain to hit Kempton so Lowry’s Bar can play a leading role in Saturday’s Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase.

The improving seven-year-old is the 5-1 second-favourite with the sponsors behind Nicky Henderson’s Hyland for the £150,000 contest, having shown exceptional chasing form in the early stages of his fences career.

However, the Sandhill training team are keeping a close eye on the weather forecasts, with the option of heading straight to the Cheltenham Festival for the Ultima standing in reserve.

“It would be a concern if the rain doesn’t arrive and I’m very much hoping the weather forecasters are right and that there will be rain around Friday and Friday night,” said White, who shares the licence in Minehead with Philip Hobbs.

“It’s one of the later races in the day and we can see how things pan out, but we do have the intention to run at the moment.

“There is potential we could pull him out if the rain doesn’t arrive and I wouldn’t want him running on quicker ground. But I’ve got the advantage of Micheal Nolan riding two horses before Lowry’s Bar and he knows the horse and can feed back to me after he’s ridden the track.

“If he didn’t run on Saturday for whatever reason then he would go straight to Cheltenham for the Ultima.

“There is the potential he could still go to the Ultima after this anyway and he has always taken his racing particularly well. I wouldn’t rule it out but we would have a better idea this time next week.”

Yet to finish outside the front two in four chasing appearances, Lowry’s Bar was last seen chasing home the Henderson-trained Jingko Blue in the rearranged Hampton Novices’ Chase at Windsor, with an untimely error three from home ultimately putting paid to his chances.

Lowry's Bar in action at Bangor earlier in the season
Lowry’s Bar in action at Bangor earlier in the season (Martin Rickett/PA)

He was due to rematch that rival in the Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot last week only to be a late withdrawal due to lameness.

He now has another Seven Barrows inmate in his sights in this valuable “back-up” option, a race Hobbs has won a joint-record four times.

“He’s rated 148 and I hope he improves further to be rated higher than that, so I think he compares favourably with past winners and I’m looking forward to him taking his chance,” continued White.

“It was an early-closing race and this has always been on the radar, but the Reyonoldstown was just the marginal preference because of the track layout and as the race panned out it was seemingly the easier option, but I have no problem with going to Kempton that’s for sure.

“It’s a nice back-up plan if you want to call it that and there is serious prize-money on offer and it’s great for the owners and the yard to be having a runner in these types of races.”

Imperial Saint has some smart chasing form
Imperial Saint has some smart chasing form (Nigel French/PA)

While it could be rain dances required for Lowry’s Bar, there are no such concerns for White and Hobbs’ other high-class entrant on the Kempton card, with hopes high Imperial Saint can make his mark in the Grade Two Ladbrokes Pendil Novices’ Chase.

Connections are respectful of the challenge presented by Paul Nicholls’ likely favourite Rubaud, but were breathing a sigh of relief when old enemy Jingko Blue was not declared on Thursday morning.

White said: “Imperial Saint won’t be hindered by the ground at all, but equally if the weather does arrive he can go on that as well – he’s fairly straightforward when it comes to what conditions he wants or needs.

“I think because he has done so well at Aintree and he’s run at Newbury, people think that I’ve been looking to keep him to flat left-handed tracks but it isn’t the case and I have no worries about him going right-handed.

“We were pleased to see no Jingko Blue as he has been a thorn in our side recently. He beat Lowry’s Bar at Windsor and then unseated in the Reynoldstown when Lowry’s Bar should have been running. I’m pleased he’s not going to be there to try to beat Imperial Saint as well.

“Rubaud looks the one to beat, but obviously he hasn’t raced over two and a half before whereas we are proven at this distance. Rubaud has won over a mile and seven furlongs on the Flat though, so I wouldn’t think staying would be a problem for him.”

Imperial Saint has twice won at Aintree this season and it is likely that is where he will return in the spring after his Pendil outing.

The seven-year-old also provides a brilliant way for the training team to continue their long association with former champion jockey Richard Johnson who runs the syndicate which owns the improving novice chaser.

White added: “We just felt that having had such a good season at Aintree it would be unnecessary to go to Cheltenham and with the proximity of Aintree to Cheltenham this year, we thought it may prove best to come here then keep him fresh for Aintree.

“He’s always a horse who has run well fresh and has an excellent record at Aintree.”

He went on: “We’ve been involved with Dicky (Richard Johnson) for a number of years as everyone knows. He was actually down at the yard this morning to see some of the horses he’s involved in.

“He is very easy to work with and deal with and he’s got a very enthusiastic syndicate of owners who are excited about his prospects on Saturday and throughout his career so far.”



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Nicholls considering Newbury for Kandoo Kid after ground rules out Kempton

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Kandoo Kid could divert to Newbury after Paul Nicholls elected not to run his Randox Grand National hope at Kempton Park on Saturday.

A brilliant winner of the Coral Gold Cup earlier in the season, he is a general 25-1 shot to give the 14-time champion trainer his second victory in the Aintree showpiece and was pencilled in to tune up for National duty in the prestigious Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase.

He was as short as 8-1 with the sponsors after Monday’s confirmations, but with the ground given as good all over at the Sunbury venue and no guarantee the forecast rain will hit, Nicholls made the call to skip the three-mile event with Michael Geoghegan’s unexposed stayer.

The nine-year-old could now return to the scene of his finest hour, with Kandoo Kid set to receive an entry for Newbury’s BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup on March 1.

However, the Ditcheat handler would also have no concerns about heading straight to Merseyside in early April if conditions at the Berkshire track are not suitable.

“There just wasn’t quite enough rain around for him to run, but he’s absolutely fine,” explained Nicholls.

Kandoo Kid storming to Coral Gold Cup glory earlier this season
Kandoo Kid storming to Coral Gold Cup glory earlier this season (David Davies/PA)

“I could look at Newbury next weekend or I could go straight to Aintree. I just didn’t want to run him on ground that was too quick at Kempton, so I decided to wait.

“Newbury is only over two and a half miles and it would want to be on the soft side, but he will definitely be entered anyway. If he doesn’t go there I would be happy to go straight to Aintree.”



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Thomas readying Celtic Dino for Dovecote challenge at the weekend

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Sam Thomas believes Celtic Dino is set for a big run in the Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday, should he get his preferred ground conditions.

The six-year-old began the campaign with a 14-length triumph at Wincanton in October, before stepping up in class to score at Ascot a month later. Those performances saw him line up in the Grade One Formby Novices’ Hurdle at a very foggy Aintree on Boxing Day, where he was fourth of seven runners over two miles and a furlong on soft ground.

Despite being 11 and a half lengths behind winner Potters Charm, it was a respectable performance from a horse who “literally can’t walk on anything on soft”, according to his handler.

With Kempton seemingly set for quicker ground this weekend for the two-mile Grade Two, Thomas is hopeful Celtic Dino can improve on his Merseyside display.

“I’ve never really experienced this with many horses before, but he literally can’t walk on anything on soft or heavy ground or anything like that,” he said.

“He’s exciting, he’s needs to be a Betfair Hurdle horse next year, but he’s very much ground-dependent and you can upgrade the performance you saw at Aintree if you get the right conditions.

“If it all goes well we are going to target the Scottish Champion Hurdle, that will be plan. He’s in the Supreme and if he was to absolutely bolt up then we have that option as well.

“Ground-wise, he is so good on the ground. I think that will be the perfect race for him up there in April.”

Thomas has two runners in the Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase, including 2023 winner Our Power.

The 10-year-old came home in second place on two occasions at Cheltenham this winter and another strong showing in the race – he had also finished third in 2022 – should aid his plans for the Scottish Grand National at Ayr on April 12.

“It’s great to get him back this season and he’s had a couple of nice runs at Cheltenham,” Thomas said.

“He was mad fresh the first time and ran a super race to finish second and then we obviously went back there and Nicky Henderson’s horse (Chantry House) was on a going that day, unfortunately.

“The Scottish National will be the grand plan really. Handicap-wise we are pretty exposed – he’s 10, but he feels as well as he’s ever felt and he feels enthusiastic as he’s ever done, so I don’t see that (age) as a negative in any way at all.”

Katate Dori has been Thomas’ surprise package this season and recent form has earned him his place alongside Our Power.

Quickfire wide-margin victories at Exeter and Chepstow followed by a second at Wincanton inside 15 days has seen his mark shoot up from 110 to 125 and despite being a horse for the future, Thomas has rolled the dice on the seven-year-old, who could also be Cheltenham-bound.

“If you said he would be running in this at the start of the season I wouldn’t have believed you,” Thomas admitted. “He’s really taken to jumping fences. The way he’s shaping up, he’s going to be a good, fun staying chaser for next season and beyond.

“We’ve stuck him in the Ultima and stuck him in the National Hunt Chase so it will depend how we get on.

“He’s come on leaps and bounds for us so hopefully if he can improve again for another season of summer’s grass, he should be a good solid horse for us going forward.”



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Edmunds hoping Miami can light up Kempton

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Stuart Edmunds’ promising Miami Magic will take aim at the Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday.

The chestnut made an instant impression on his hurdling debut at Fakenham in October, winning by 10 lengths before going on to score by an even bigger margin at Kempton the following month, after which he stepped sharply up in class to contest the Grade One Formby Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree on Boxing Day.

Visibility was greatly reduced by heavy fog on that occasion, but when the field did come into sight Miami Magic was chasing home the evens-favourite Potters Charm to finish second by two and a quarter lengths.

“He’s in good form, we intend to go to Kempton at the weekend,” said Edmunds.

“We think he’s quite nice so we’ve just looked after him a bit, the Dovecote works well and we’re looking forward to it.”

Miami Magic holds an entry for the Supreme at the Cheltenham Festival, but Edmunds is more inclined to wait for Aintree and could step the gelding up in trip there.

“He’s still entered so we’ll see, but we’ll go to Aintree either way,” he said regarding the Festival.

“I wouldn’t rule Cheltenham out completely, but I’d say we’re 80 per cent sure he won’t go as Aintree is the bigger aim.

“He might step up in trip there, we’ll just how Saturday goes first.”



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Lulamba enters Adonis equation

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Nicky Henderson is giving serious consideration to running JCB Triumph Hurdle favourite Lulamba, rather than his stablemate Palladium, in Saturday’s Ladbrokes Adonis Juvenile at Kempton.

The Seven Barrows handler was initially minded to wait until the Cheltenham Festival with Lulamba following his scintillating British debut at Ascot in mid-January.

A few days later German Derby winner Palladium, an expensive purchase by the Bamford family who sponsor the Triumph Hurdle through their company JCB, made a winning hurdling bow for the yard at Huntingdon.

Palladium, who is still a colt, looked set to be the stable’s representative in this weekend’s Grade Two in Sunbury, but speaking at a Jockey Club press morning at his yard on Monday, Henderson revealed he may yet send Lulamba into battle instead.

He said: “I thought we weren’t going to run Lulamba but he’s terribly well, he’d have to have a racecourse gallop anyway and the other fellow (Palladium) is good at what he does.

“Lulamba has only had two runs in his whole life. I don’t know, we’ll see, they are both going to work tomorrow and then we’ll decide.”

German Derby winner Palladium made a winning start over hurdles at Huntingdon
German Derby winner Palladium made a winning start over hurdles at Huntingdon (Joe Giddens/PA)

Palladium was a two-length victor at Huntingdon and the Seven Barrows handler has taken a positive view of the form.

“There are two things about Palladium’s Huntingdon race, the form has already turned out to be red-hot and secondly the time was fantastic,” he added.

“He was six seconds faster than the other division on the same card and the second and fourth have come out and won since.

“We’re thinking Royal Ascot and Melbourne Cup. I tend to take notice of the times only when it’s in our favour, if you’re in the slower division we tend not to read that one!

“Lulamba did look incredibly good (at Ascot). He’s very laid back and has a lovely attitude to it, but he has only had two runs in his life.

“It just occurs the way the other horse has been working and schooling, does he really need to run? He’s done a mountain of racing. I think he might be better where he is, I don’t know, we’ll just see after they’ve worked tomorrow.

“Palladium doesn’t need the experience of a big race day, he’s had plenty on the Flat, so it’s possible we might switch it around, we’ll see.”

Jingko Blue could make a swift return to action at Kempton
Jingko Blue could make a swift return to action at Kempton (Adam Davy/PA)

The meeting could also be the next port of call for Jingko Blue, who until last weekend was progressing very nicely in his novice chasing career.

The six-year-old won on his debut over fences by nine and a half lengths and was then a Grade Two winner in the Hampton Novices’ Chase, but his Reynoldstown run at the weekend ended prematurely when he unseated his rider at the third fence.

He holds an entry for the Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham Festival, but the mishap has left Henderson wanting to run him once more beforehand and the Pendil Novices’ Chase looks to be the answer.

He said: “We’re going to put him in the Pendil at the weekend, you wouldn’t want to go to the Brown Advisory off the back of what happened there (Ascot).

“It’s only two and a half miles, though I wanted to go three with him to see where his stamina was to be fair.”



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Iroko and Kandoo Kid lead Kempton Trophy contenders

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Grand National hopefuls Iroko and Kandoo Kid are prominent in the betting for Saturday’s Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase at Kempton.

The £150,000 feature has a rich history and Grand National legends such as Crisp, Rhyme N’ Reason and Rough Quest have their names on the roll of honour.

Other National Hunt stalwarts like Desert Orchid, Docklands Express and Pendil, who has a race named in his honour on the card, were also previous winners.

Iroko, owned by JP McManus and trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, heads the betting with Coral at 3-1 with Paul Nicholls’ Kandoo Kid, winner of the Coral Gold Cup first time out this season, available at 8-1.

Iroko was a Cheltenham Festival winner over hurdles
Iroko was a Cheltenham Festival winner over hurdles (David Davies/PA)

Nicholls ended a 12-month Grade One drought at Ascot on Saturday when Pic D’Orhy repeated his victory in the Ascot Chase, but he is still not completely convinced all his horses are running true to form.

“The idea is to give Kandoo Kid a run on Saturday,” he told his Betfair Ditcheat Diary.

“It’s six weeks from Aintree, the ground is good and that will do him the world of good towards his prep for the National, we’re very happy with him.

“As I’ve said, some of the horses aren’t right so everything is going to be tested, trach-washed before they run. We want to get it right and know where we are.

“I think over the next fortnight things will start turning around a little bit, so really looking forward to this weekend.”

Beachcomber, Charlie Uberalles, Hyland and Lowry’s Bar are also among the 18 confirmed entries.

Lulamba created a huge impression on his debut at Ascot
Lulamba created a huge impression on his debut at Ascot (Steven Paston/PA)

Nicky Henderson has both Lulamba and Palladium in the Ladbrokes Adonis Juvenile Hurdle.

The Seven Barrows handler had been intending to run his €1.4million purchase Palladium having initially thought Lulamba did not need any more experience, but he has given himself the option of running.

There are eight entries in the Ladbrokes Pendil Novices’ Chase, headed by Henderson’s Jingko Blue, who unseated his rider at Ascot on Saturday.

Jessica Harrington’s Ashdale Bob could make the journey from Ireland, Nicholls has Rubaud with smart handicapper Imperial Saint another possible.

In the Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle, the Stuart Edmonds-trained Miami Magic sets the standard based on his second at Aintree on Boxing Day in the Formby Novices’ Hurdle.

Improvers like Starcrossed Lovers, Tripoli Flyer and Roysse add further interest to the contest.



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