Tag Archive for: Nico De Boinville

Henderson has Triumph target after winning start for Palladium

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A tilt at the JCB Triumph Hurdle remains on the agenda for Palladium, with trainer Nicky Henderson perfectly satisfied with the German Derby hero’s successful jumping debut at Huntingdon.

The colt son of Gleneagles became the most expensive jumps horse ever bought in October after being knocked down to Highflyer Bloodstock on behalf of owner Lady Bamford for €1.4million at the Arqana Arc Sale.

The four-year-old won twice on the Flat in Germany, including his Classic triumph in the Deutsches Derby at Hamburg in the summer, while he was last seen finishing last of six behind Charlie Appleby’s globetrotting star Rebel’s Romance in the Preis von Europa in September.

Palladium was an easy-to-back 8-15 favourite under Nico de Boinville for division two of the Pertemps Network Maiden Hurdle, jumping well throughout behind the pacesetting pair of Taxus Baccata and Jack Hyde before he was allowed to stride on leaving the back straight and looked set to win comfortably after pulling clear of the chasing pack.

Nico de Boinville returns victorious with Palladium
Nico de Boinville returns victorious with Palladium (Joe Giddens/PA)

Unconsidered 50-1 shot Wolf Moon emerged as the biggest threat after the home turn and De Boinville had to get a little serious after the final flight, but Palladium found enough when asked to score by two lengths.

Henderson said: “There was pressure because the whole world was going to sit down and watch and probably laugh at us if we had taken him to Huntingdon for a novice (maiden) hurdle and got him stuffed. He thoroughly enjoyed himself and has come on tons. He will be going Flat racing and he is a potential stallion, we’re just having a bit of fun.

“The first thing was did he enjoy it and he did, and he’s got a fantastic temperament. Not every colt is going to take to this game, but he’s lovely and I thought he jumped beautifully – he was big and bold. Nico said he put him in the bottom of a couple just to make him do it that way and he’s won cosily.

“There is a certain amount of relief and you couldn’t find a nicer colt in the world, he has a great attitude to life, which makes a big difference.”

While Palladium’s performance was undoubtedly more workmanlike than spectacular, Henderson is confident improvement will be forthcoming, adding: “He will come on a lot and Nico said he was quite stuffy and I can accept that as he hasn’t done a lot of galloping and these colts do want plenty of work – he’s got a long summer ahead of him.

“He’s the only colt I have and they take a lot more work than a gelding, and I was just a little bit nervous that he might need it. We’ve done lots of schooling but very little galloping and he’s had a good blow. He will have learnt a lot today.

“He can have a 10 out of 10 from me, you couldn’t wish for much more and he’s raced professionally. He was out in front, in behind and has jumped well from beginning to end and took a good blow as well.

“We’re mindful of what’s ahead and he hasn’t had many wind-ups yet.”

Paddy Power eased Palladium’s odds for the Triumph Hurdle – which Lady Bamford’s family sponsors – at the Cheltenham Festival to 16-1 from 12-1, while Coral took the opposite view, going 12-1 from 16s.

His stablemate Lulamba heads the Triumph Hurdle betting at 6-4 with both firms, but Henderson intriguingly raised the possibility of splitting his aces by allowing the hugely-impressive Ascot winner to take on his elders in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

“Lulamba looked very good, but so did he (Palladium) and I think having got this far we might as well have a look at the Triumph,” Henderson continued.

“Our first take is another run would do him good and it almost means Kempton and the Adonis is the obvious place to go, I would think.

“If they have to run against each other in the Triumph then they have to, but we will keep options open.

“I put Lulamba in the Supreme as well and they are two different courses as well, which might be in that horse’s favour, you never know.”

Palladium has major plans beyond Cheltenham, with a Flat campaign that could even include a shot at Melbourne Cup glory in the offing.

Henderson said: “I think he wants to get his toe in the ground to a degree and he doesn’t want it very quick – we will have to think about that when it comes to Flat racing in the summer.

“I’ve trained lots of colts but nothing as high-class as this. The Hardwicke (at Royal Ascot) or something like that is what you might be thinking about for the Flat and I may as well swap these winter woollies, Barbours and flat caps for a tailcoat and a top hat!

“The underbidders were looking at the Melbourne Cup and that might be an option – I wouldn’t mind being out there right now!”



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Palladium makes workmanlike start with victory at Huntingdon

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German Derby hero Palladium made a successful start to his career over hurdles with a workmanlike victory at Huntingdon.

Nicky Henderson’s charge became the most expensive jumps horse ever bought in October after being knocked down to Highflyer Bloodstock on behalf of owner Lady Bamford for the sum of €1.4million at the Arqana Arc Sale.

The four-year-old won twice on the Flat in Germany, including his Classic triumph in the Deutsches Derby at Hamburg in the summer, while he was last seen finishing last of six behind Charlie Appleby’s globetrotting start Rebel’s Romance in the Preis von Europa in September.

All eyes were on the colt son of Gleneagles ahead of his highly-anticipated switch to jumping and he was an easy-to-back 8-15 favourite under Nico de Boinville for division two of the Pertemps Network Maiden Hurdle.

Nico de Boinville returns victorious with Palladium
Nico de Boinville returns victorious with Palladium (Joe Giddens/PA)

Having jumped well throughout behind the pacesetting pair of Taxus Baccata and Jack Hyde, Palladium was allowed to stride on leaving the back straight and looked set to win comfortably after pulling clear of the chasing pack.

Unconsidered 50-1 shot Wolf Moon came from out of the pack to emerge as the biggest threat after the home turn and De Boinville had to get a little serious after the final flight, but Palladium found enough for pressure to score by two lengths.

Paddy Power eased the winner’s odds for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival to 16-1 from 12-1, with his stablemate Lulamba heading the market at 6-4. Coral took the opposite view, going 12-1 from 16s for the Triumph.

Henderson said: “There was pressure because the whole world was going to sit down and watch and probably laugh at us if we have taken him to Huntingdon for a novice hurdle and got him stuffed. He thoroughly enjoyed himself and has come on tons. He will be going Flat racing and he is a potential stallion, we’re just having a bit of fun.

“The first thing was did he enjoy it and he did, and he’s got a fantastic temperament. Not every colt is going to take to this game, but he’s lovely and I thought he jumped beautifully – he was big and bold. Nico said he put him in the bottom of a couple just to make him do it that way and he’s won cosily.

“He will come on a lot and Nico said he was quite stuffy and I can accept that as he hasn’t done a lot of galloping and these colts do want plenty of work – he’s got a long summer ahead of him.

“He can have a 10 out of 10 from me and you couldn’t wish for much more and he’s raced professionally. He was out in front, in behind and has jumped well from beginning to end and took a good blow as well.

“We’re mindful of what’s ahead and he hasn’t had many wind-ups yet.”



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Secret Squirrel reigns in Sovereign success

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Secret Squirrel secured the major prize he has long promised in the Fitzdares Sovereign Handicap Hurdle at Windsor.

Hughie Morrison’s charge stands out from the crowd being a flaxen chestnut, meaning his mane is virtually blonde.

The six-year-old has plenty of ability too, as evidenced by four previous wins and a number of fine efforts in defeat in good company.

Having kicked off his campaign by finishing third at Ascot, Secret Squirrel was well fancied for the valuable Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle at the Berkshire circuit’s pre-Christmas meeting and was still in contention when falling two flights from home.

He was an 11-4 favourite to bounce back in this £110,000 handicap and after travelling strongly under Nico de Boinville, Morrison’s runner quickened up despite looking ungainly on the run-in to score by two lengths from Kabral Du Mathan, who narrowly beat Knickerbockerglory to the runner-up spot.

Morrison told ITV Racing: “He’s an extremely attractive horse and his grandfather is Double Trigger. He’s a very good horse.

“The day he was born he’d walk up to you and knock you over. We broke him in almost as a yearling as he was such a pain at home.

“We usually do well here on the Flat but we don’t often run for £58,000! They should get rid of the Flat and just have jumping as you’ll get a good crowd.”

Secret Squirrel (centre) left jumps the final flight
Secret Squirrel (centre) left jumps the final flight (Bradley Collyer/PA)

De Boinville, partnering Secret Squirrel for the first time, told Sky Sports Racing: “David Bass has ridden him in the past and he has given me a few pointers. He’s a hardy horse who knew what he was doing, handled the ground and travelled, which was the main thing.

“He’s got his own mind and it’s just a case of working with him rather than against him. I thought he jumped great and I’m just very lucky to come in for the ride.”

Coral make Secret Squirrel their 6-1 favourite from 16-1 for the newly-named William Hill Hurdle at Newbury on February 8.



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Townend and De Boinville ready for another Ascot blockbuster

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Paul Townend and Nico de Boinville are relishing another big-race clash in the BetMGM Clarence House Chase at Ascot on Saturday.

It is three years since the leading riders went head-to-head in a highly-anticipated renewal of the Grade One contest, with De Boinville and Shishkin narrowly outpointing the Townend-ridden Energumene in a race that lived up to its billing and then some.

Dual Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Energumene has suffered only two defeats in 13 starts over fences and both have come in the Clarence House, having also finished a disappointing third behind Editeur Du Gite and Edwardstone in a rearranged running at Cheltenham in 2023.

The Willie Mullins-trained 11-year-year-old missed the entirety of last season through injury, but proved the fire still burns brightly on his return in last month’s Hilly Way at Cork and Townend is hopeful he can make it third time lucky in this weekend’s feature event.

“He came out of Cork well and I’m looking forward to another crack at Nico and hopefully we’ll get the better of him,” said Townend, speaking at Clonmel on Wednesday.

“Every day you get to ride him is a good day and he seems to be fine since Cork.”

On the same card the six-time champion jockey is set to partner the returning Kargese in the Grade Two BetMGM Mares’ Hurdle.

Kargese and Paul Townend after winning at last season's Punchestown
Kargese and Paul Townend after winning at last season’s Punchestown (Brian Lawless/PA)

The five-year-old will be a warm order on her first competitive appearance since winning the juvenile Grade One at the Punchestown Festival in May last year.

“Travelling for her first run of the season isn’t ideal, as Willie always says, but she’s strengthened up massively and is ready to go,” Townend added.

De Boinville has two Clarence House Chase victories on his illustrious CV, with Shishkin’s triumph preceded by the dominant success of the brilliant Altior in 2019.

This weekend he will be on board another Nicky Henderson star in Jonbon, who is fresh from making it back-to-back wins in the Tingle Creek at Sandown and is gunning for a ninth top-level victory.

Nico de Boinville celebrates after winning the Tingle Creek with Jonbon
Nico de Boinville celebrates after winning the Tingle Creek with Jonbon (David Davies for The Jockey Club)

Speaking before racing at Newbury, De Boinville told Sky Sports Racing: “We take on Energumene and all the other old characters that seem to be turning up in these races. Hopefully it will be a good contest and it should put a few bums on seats as well.

“You don’t know which Energumene is going to turn up. He’s getting on as well, not that Jonbon is – we’re taking him on with a younger rival.

“It was a great day back then (with Shishkin), but Saturday is another race and we’ll take it as such.

“I think Jonbon is a horse that thrives on his racing and he’s come out of Sandown really well. This has always been the plan and sets us up nicely.”



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Sir Gino accounts for Ballyburn with the minimum of fuss

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Sir Gino put up a scintillating display to see off Ballyburn in a much-anticipated clash for the Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park.

For the second time in two days, the Grade Two contest threw up a mouthwatering clash between two superstars from the powerhouse yards of Nicky Henderson and Willie Mullins.

And as was the case in the Christmas Hurdle, in which Constitution Hill saw off Lossiemouth, top honours went to Seven Barrows – and in some style, too.

Sir Gino, so impressive when deputising for Constitution Hill in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on his seasonal reappearance, was the well-backed 8-13 favourite to make a winning debut over the larger obstacles under Nico de Boinville.

Ballyburn, a triple Grade One-winning novice hurdler last season and close to foot-perfect on his chasing debut at Punchestown last month, was a 7-4 chance in the hands of Paul Townend.

The big two dominated for much of the two-mile contest, with Ballyburn initially holding sway before De Boinville gave Sir Gino his head and allowed him to stride on racing down the back straight.

Ballyburn did his best to stay in the race, but Sir Gino kept coming out on top in the jumping stakes and found a gear Ballyburn simply could not live with shortly after the home turn.

Sir Gino had the race in safe-keeping provided he safely negotiated the final fence and he did just that to seal a hugely impressive seven-and-a-half-length verdict.

De Boinville said: “He was a bit sketchy over the first, but in fairness by the time we turned down the side towards the open ditch, it all clicked.

“He’s so quick back on the ground after taking off that he’s just taking lengths in the air. We knew he had the engine, it was just a case of whether he could put it all together.

“He’s got an enormous engine, but it’s amazing round here as the fences come up really fast and you have to stay and you have to be able to jump at speed and think quickly.

“I’d say he’s exceeded my expectations and I’d say he’s progressed for a fence as well.”

Nicky Henderson debriefs the media after Sir Gino's win
Nicky Henderson debriefs the media after Sir Gino’s win (Zac Goodwin/PA)

While Sir Gino would have been entitled to head down the Champion Hurdle route following his Fighting Fifth success, Henderson always appeared keen to pursue a chasing career.

He told Racing TV: “I must admit, a couple of months ago Charlie Morlock (assistant trainer) and myself and Nico took him out rather early one morning to have a little look of him over fences. It was in the dark and we thought we’d do it just so everybody didn’t see it, but I promise you by the time we got back, everybody had backed him for the Arkle and they hadn’t even seen it!

“He was very good, so we knew we had the option to switch, and then it became necessary to bring him into the Fighting Fifth because we weren’t ready with the boy from yesterday (Constitution Hill). He came in not as the sub, because he’s a very good horse in his own right, but if they were going to both make it down the Champion Hurdle road, one of them had to beat the other in simple terms.

“We schooled Sir Gino again over fences and he was just the same – he has so much scope. It just seemed the natural thing to do with the (four-year-old) allowance and he’s a genuine two-miler.

“If you remember his first run over hurdles here, he broke six of them! That was my fault because I hadn’t really schooled him properly, I just assumed because he’d come from France over those Auteuil hurdles, he’d jump English ones. It never occurred to me he wouldn’t know what these were and he was terrible, but we schooled him a couple of times after that and he was great.”

Betfair and Paddy Power slashed Sir Gino’s odds for the Arkle at Cheltenham to evens from 11-4 and Henderson plans to give him more match practice between now and the Festival.

He added: “He’s always had a huge amount of talent and this sort of track suits him really well because he’s got a lot of speed.

“I think he has to have another run. You could say ‘what can you teach him?’. Probably not a lot, but you’ve just got to be respecting these things because it is all a little bit too easy for him today.

“This is a lovely place to learn without getting the big tests, which you’re going to get at Sandowns, Ascots and Cheltenhams. They’re different tests and you’ve just got to have your wits about you a little bit more than you need to round here, but this is a great place to start.

“We’ve been very lucky (with two-mile chasers). Altior was brilliant, Sprinter Sacre was just phenomenal and Remittance Man in the good old days was pretty spectacular too.”



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Holloway Queen enhances reputation with Haydock win

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Holloway Queen maintained her unbeaten record under rules with an ultimately smooth victory in the Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Haydock.

Second in her only point-to-point before joining Nicky Henderson for £180,000, she beat a dual bumper winner in Jasmine Bliss on her hurdling debut.

Sent off the 4-5 favourite raised in class to Listed grade on Merseyside, Nico de Boinville, on his only mount of the day, was content to take a lead from Kelya Wood until the pace picked up at the third last.

However, while the leader flew it, the favourite made a bit of a mess of that obstacle and was suddenly facing an uphill task.

It speaks volumes for her ability, though, that within a matter of strides, De Boinville was back on the bridle upsides Kelya Wood and seemingly going the better.

She put the race to bed on the run to the last, although Fromheretoeternity was beginning to stay on strongly when coming down at the last flight, which left Kelya Wood a 15-length second.

The winner was given a 25-1 quote for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham by Paddy Power.

De Boinville told Racing TV: “We met the third last all wrong but she seems to be able to quicken up nicely in this ground. It’s hard work but she seems to like it.

“The idea early doors was I didn’t want to let the one in front get too far ahead of us and it worked out nicely in the end.

“She’s got a bit of character. Jerry McGrath bought her and he’s done well, she’s a good find.”

Asked if the Jane Seymour Hurdle at Sandown could now be a target, the jockey added: “I don’t know where we are going to go but that sounds like the right sort of programme.”

Henderson said: “She was very, very good. Especially as ground like that is not usually my cup of tea.

“She’s an amazing mare, as she shows you nothing at home, but Nico says she just lobs along and today she changed gear three times, which in that ground is quite extraordinary.

“That mistake she made, in that, would stop most horses, but she was back on the bridle in no time.

“I’d have thought the Jane Seymour looks the obvious place, it will be slow ground and she looks a stayer to me. I think it might be a case of running her while the ground is how she likes it, what happens in the spring on good ground, I don’t know.

“I think we should stick to what we know for now.”



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De Boinville taking nothing for granted with Jonbon

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Big-race jockey Nico de Boinville still feels Jonbon will need to be on his “A-game” to make a winning return in Friday’s Shloer Chase at Cheltenham, despite what will be his prohibitive starting price.

The eight-year-old has won nine of his 11 races over fences – and 14 from 17 career starts overall under rules – and added a first Cheltenham win to his CV in this race 12 months ago, beating Edwardstone by almost 10 lengths.

He was beaten on his return to the Cotswolds in the rearranged Clarence House Chase and missed the Queen Mother at the Festival due to Nicky Henderson’s well-documented problems with his string at the time. He did, however, end the campaign in scintillating fashion, winning at Aintree and Sandown where he had El Fabiolo, his Arkle conqueror, behind him.

Only three take him on, with old rival Edwardstone (Alan King) joined by Boothill (Harry Fry) and Grand Annual winner Unexpected Party Dan Skelton).

“We’ve locked horns with Edwardstone a few times and have come out on top on each occasion, including in this race last season,” De Boinville told Unibet.

“You obviously have to respect Alan’s horse, and Boothill is a class act in his own right, but we are very happy with our horse at home. But Edwardstone is a three-time Grade One winner, so we have to be on our A-game if he is on his.”

Frank Berry, owner JP McManus’ racing manager, said: “We’re looking forward to getting him out, Nicky is happy with him and hopefully they’ll have a nice job done on the ground.

“He finished off having a great year last season and it will be nice to see him back.”

Edwardstone was good in winning the Game Spirit last year
Edwardstone was good in winning the Game Spirit last year (Adam Davy/PA)

Edwardstone will turn 11 soon and was unable to take advantage of Jonbon not running and El Fabiolo disappointing in the Champion Chase when he took a tired fall two out when beaten. His rider Tom Cannon is hoping better ground will suit.

“Him and Jonbon are old rivals now. I’ve had a sit on him and he’s very fresh and very well,” he told Sky Sports Racing.

“We couldn’t do any more with him at home at this stage. It’s 3-0 to Jonbon at the moment, but hopefully better ground might suit us.

“It’s his first run of the season so you never really know where they are, and Jonbon could be in that category as well.”

He went on: “I’ve always thought he’s probably a marginally better horse on better ground. If it was too quick at this stage of the season no one really wants to take the risk but if they’ve put enough water on, good ground is definitely in our favour.

“Having said all that, it is probably in Jonbon’s favour as well! So we’re going their with conditions in our favour, but there’s no reason it won’t suit Jonbon as well.

“You don’t want any misfortune to happen anywhere, but if they don’t quite fire on the day and we do – there’s only fine margins in those sort of races and that is all it takes. If we perform to our level and he slightly underperforms, or vice versa, a lot can be different each time.

“If they both get there and perform to their best it should be a good race.”

Fry is well aware of the task facing Boothill but believes he deserves his place in the field.

He said: “We know on ratings we have a bit to find with Jonbon and then Edwardstone, but we get a couple of pounds from both which is a help.

“He was last seen finishing fourth behind them both in the Celebration Chase and he deserves to take his chance. They all have to turn up and perform on the day and you never know what will happen, but he’s definitely good enough to be there and we’re looking forward to getting his season under way.”



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Nico de Boinville says Constitution Hill ‘feeling a bit sorry for himself’

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Nico de Boinville paid Constitution Hill a visit on Tuesday and said the former champion hurdler is feeling “a bit sorry for himself”.

Nicky Henderson’s stable star has had no end of health trouble this season, scoping dirty in January and then being laid low with an infection which ruled him out of the defence of his Champion Hurdle title.

Just when connections had hoped for some light at the end of the tunnel and a possible run at Punchestown, he was then struck down by suspected colic and spent a few nights at the vets.

It was a relieved Henderson that informed everyone on Monday he was now back at Seven Barrows and De Boinville was keen to check in on him.

“Everyone has been kept in the loop. I went to see him this morning and hopefully he picks up in the next couple of weeks,” he told Racing TV.

“He’s certainly feeling a bit sorry for himself and I can see why.”



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Constitution speed leaves De Boinville ‘no margin for error’

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Nico de Boinville knows Constitution Hill’s electrifying jumping leaves “no margin for error” – particularly in the white-hot cauldron of the Unibet Champion Hurdle.

Nicky Henderson’s star is chasing a second successive win in the race having demolished State Man by nine lengths last year.

There are those who feel State Man has enjoyed a better preparation this term, and he has won four Grade Ones since that reverse while Constitution Hill has only been seen once since April.

However, De Boinville has full faith that Henderson is the right man for getting a horse to peak on the big day.

“I couldn’t have been happier with him at Kempton. State Man has gone and done what he does on that side of the Irish Sea, but there are still four weeks to go and you are just keeping all fingers crossed,” De Boinville told talkSPORT2.

“I’ve been going there before with the likes of Altior and at the last minute things go wrong, so you are just hoping everything goes right and we have a very good prep.”

Regarding his mount’s incredible jumping technique he went on: “You really do feel like there’s no margin for error because you are going so fast, you are literally just clipping the top bar. You are going very, very quick and there will be no exception in the Champion Hurdle, it’s going to be run at a very good pace and hopefully the right horse wins.

“He’s (Henderson) definitely not one to doubt. If the weather hadn’t stopped us, he would have had two runs and no one would be saying anything as he’d have gone to the Fighting Fifth and Christmas Hurdle, so ultimately we were stopped because of the weather.

“Hopefully he’ll be busy enough in the spring, you can go to Aintree and Punchestown after Cheltenham if he comes through it well.”

Shishkin got back to winning ways at the weekend
Shishkin got back to winning ways at the weekend (Adam Davy/PA)

Henderson and De Boinville enjoyed a good day at Newbury on Saturday when Iberico Lord won the feature Betfair Hurdle, but perhaps more importantly Shishkin booked his Gold Cup ticket with a straightforward win after an interrupted season.

De Boinville said: “It was very encouraging. I heard someone refer to him as an inconsistent horse, but I tend to disagree with that. Once he sets off he tends to put up really good runs and more often than not he’s somewhere near the winner’s enclosure.

“I had no doubts on Saturday, from the point I got on him in the paddock he was raring to go and wanted to get on with it. As soon as I lined up he was happy, the tapes went up and away he went.

“I was happy with him, he took a good blow as well so it was a really good prep race for him going towards the Gold Cup.

“One thing that Shishkin does do is finish strong, over three miles or two. He’s quirky in a sense that he can race behind the bridle, race lazily and the suddenly pick it up again, you just have to keep encouraging him forward.

“I think he’s best of the British. I’m looking forward to seeing what L’Homme Presse does at Ascot, but Galopin Des Champs definitely sets the standard, I’d like to think we’d definitely serve it up to him.”



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Shishkin sparkles as De Boinville gathers momentum

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Nico de Boinville was left purring at the thought of a Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup bid with Shishkin after picking the perfect time to make his return to the winner’s enclosure.

Nicky Henderson’s stable number one broke his collarbone in a fall at Doncaster over the Christmas period and after an initial quick-fire return to the saddle was halted in mid-January, he is now back amongst the riding ranks after a second comeback at Ludlow on Wednesday.

He was out of luck in his first forays back in the saddle, finishing second in the bumper at Kempton on Friday and also in the Newbury opener on Saturday.

However, his fortunes changed on the mount that mattered most on Saturday afternoon, as Shishkin passed his Betfair Denman Chase assignment to firmly enter the Gold Cup picture.

“I’m delighted to be back and it’s our local track. It’s great to be back in the plate and doing my job,” said De Boinville.

“Shishkin was probably going half a stride slower than he ideally wants and on better ground I think we will see an improvement. That will bring him on as well, so we’re looking forward to the Gold Cup – he’s a dual winner round Cheltenham (at the Festival).

“He always finishes strongly and that is why I was convinced in the King George that we were always going to maintain that pace – he keeps finding.

“He’s in there with a solid each-way chance and if he runs there to his best I think we’re right in the mix. I think it’s a very open Gold Cup if you take out Galopin Des Champs, so we will see what we can do.”

Shishkin impressed Nico de Boinville at Newbury
Shishkin impressed Nico de Boinville at Newbury (Adam Davy/PA)

De Boinville has endured a somewhat luckless season aboard Shishkin to date, with the 10-year-old refusing to start in his scheduled comeback at Ascot and then unseating the 34-year-old in cruel fashion with the King George at his mercy.

However, the Shishkin that had dazzled in his novice days was back on display at Newbury and De Boinville thought he was never likely to repeat his Ascot antics at the start.

“He was fantastic and in such good humour today. He was never going to think about not starting,” he said.

“I was just trying to keep him sweet and happy, but he was wanting to go forward and jump into the bridle.

“He couldn’t wait to get out there and down to the start and has been in really good order at home. He’s none the worse for Kempton anyway.”

Iberico Lord finished with a flourish in the Betfair Hurdle
Iberico Lord finished with a flourish in the Betfair Hurdle (Adam Davy/PA)

Meanwhile, Henderson was full of praise for his loyal Seven Barrows pilot after the duo’s day got even better with Iberico Lord’s thrilling Betfair Hurdle success.

De Boinville has always been someone Henderson can depend on when the big occasion comes along and he was at his ice-cool best when delivering JP McManus’ Greatwood Hurdle winner to perfection to pick up their second big success of the season over the smaller obstacles.

“It’s great to have Nico back and him and James (Bowen) are a good team,” said Henderson.

“He has been off a while and he tried to come back and it didn’t work, now he’s come back and won the two races we needed to win today.

“One we had to win and one we wanted to win. We had to win the first one, whereas the Betfair Hurdle is a very special race at Newbury.”



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Gold-en ticket awaits Shishkin if all goes to plan at Newbury

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Nicky Henderson has admitted it is “guesswork” as to whether Shishkin will stay the Cheltenham Gold Cup trip – but that will be where he heads if successfully navigating his Betfair Denman Chase assignment at Newbury on Saturday.

The 10-year-old proved he has the capacity to stay three miles when winning the Aintree Bowl last spring, while he was in the process of running a huge race in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day before unseating Nico de Boinville two from home.

However, the extra quarter-mile the cream of the staying division have to master in the blue riband has caught many a top chaser out down the years. And the Seven Barrows handler concedes it is a question that will only be answered on the day itself, despite feeling confident it will be within Shishkin’s compass.

Trainer Nicky Henderson and Shishkin at Seven Barrows
Trainer Nicky Henderson and Shishkin at Seven Barrows (David Davies/PA)

Henderson said: “It’s going to be guesswork because he’s not been that far. He’s not even in the Ryanair, so I assume we think he must stay something otherwise he won’t be going anywhere.

“I would be pretty confident about that and I know it is difficult to say. I know if you get three miles round Kempton it doesn’t mean anything, but what do you do. There’s a good race at Aintree yes, but if he gets home at Newbury and he does well then you have to go (to the Gold Cup), don’t you.”

The dual Cheltenham Festival winner has spent the majority of his career campaigning over two miles, winning both the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Arkle at that distance in the Cotswolds.

Connections explored stepping up in trip following a lacklustre display in the 2022 Tingle Creek and after roaring back to his very best in the Ascot Chase, he finished second in the Ryanair at the Festival before proving successful at Aintree when downing Ahoy Senor.

It is a move that has somewhat caught Henderson by surprise and he said: “No you didn’t really dream (of Shishkin being a Gold Cup horse), because not surprisingly, after Supremes and Arkles you think he is a two-miler.

“Then we went two and a half and two-mile-five when he won at Ascot which was his first time over a trip and it became very obvious he is a stayer.

“He ran in the Ryanair which wasn’t very good, but he came back and ran in the three-miler at Aintree which was very good and I think he proved he stayed there.

“Since then we have continued down that road and the beginning of this season was always going to be all about the King George.”

He went on: “Where things went a bit wrong was the Ascot fiasco when he didn’t want to jump off, so consequently he had to go into the King George without having his prep race, which always frightened me.

“To be fair it didn’t make a great difference and he ran a great race no matter what the result might have been.

“It was just one of those incidents, it’s not as if he did anything wrong and he jumped beautifully all the way.”

Shishkin has been partnered in all 19 starts under rules by De Boinville who he unceremoniously unshipped with the King George at his mercy on Boxing Day.

Nico de Boinville is the only man to ride Shishkin under rules
Nico de Boinville is the only man to ride Shishkin under rules (Mike Egerton/PA)

A further spill at Doncaster over the Christmas period saw the 34-year-old sidelined with a broken collarbone and after a return to the injury list following a premature comeback, Henderson hopes to have his number one back to full fitness to be aboard Shishkin once again.

He said: “We had a little comeback about 10 days ago and he wasn’t quite ready, but he has been riding out since Saturday – he came in and work on Shishkin then – and has been in every day and schooled a few times.

“He’s in good form, I just want him to have a couple of rides to be ready for Saturday, I hope.”



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Bowen looking forward to Jonbon opportunity

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James Bowen is relishing the opportunity to ride Jonbon after injury has ruled out Seven Barrows stable jockey Nico de Boinville.

De Boinville broke his collarbone in a fall at Doncaster last month and returned to action at Lingfield on Sunday after a spell on the sidelines.

He took up a total of 11 rides, including a winner at Warwick on Monday, but after his narrow loss aboard Ilfu Un Mome at Chepstow on Wednesday, the rider decided to rule himself out of the weekend’s action.

“Nico was sore after yesterday, so he won’t be riding this weekend,” said De Boinville’s agent Sam Stronge.

“We’ll just take it day by day and see how it is next week. It’s unfortunate, we obviously tried to do our best as quickly as we could, and after riding for a couple of days he obviously wasn’t quite right.

Nico de Boinville and Jonbon after winning the Shloer Chase
Nico de Boinville and Jonbon after winning the Shloer Chase (Nigel French/PA)

“The sensible thing to do when you’ve got big rides like that (Jonbon) is to not let everybody down. It’s a very difficult decision, but we’ll take it day by day and hopefully he’ll be back next week.”

In De Boinville’s absence, the ride on Jonbon in Saturday’s rescheduled My Pension Expert Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham will go to Bowen, often the deputy for trainer Nicky Henderson.

“I’m really lucky to get on him and I can’t wait to ride him. Fingers crossed, he can get the job done,” said the jockey.

“I was thinking I might get on him last weekend, but Nico got back and then it was called off.

“He is the best horse in the race and odds-on shots are the ones you want to be riding. You just need the right horse to ride in these Grade One races and hopefully I can get the job done, but it is also up to him as well.

“I think it gives you great confidence when the owner and trainer are willing to put you on a horse like Jonbon. If they are happy enough for you to ride, that is what gives you the most confidence going out there.”



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Nico De Boinville misses Jonbon ride at Cheltenham

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Nico de Boinville will miss Friday’s action at Sandown and the plum ride on Jonbon at Cheltenham on Saturday to give himself more time to fully recover from the broken collarbone he suffered in a fall at Doncaster last month.

The leading jockey returned from nearly a month on the sidelines at Lingfield last Sunday and has since taken up a total of 11 rides, including a winner at Warwick on Monday.

However, having suffered a narrow defeat aboard 11-8 favourite Ilfu Un Mome at Chepstow on Wednesday – his only ride on the card – De Boinville has made the difficult decision to withdraw from the upcoming action, meaning James Bowen will take over aboard Jonbon in Saturday’s Clarence House Chase.

“Nico was sore after yesterday, so he won’t be riding this weekend,” said De Boinville’s agent Sam Stronge.

“We’ll just take it day by day and see how it is next week. It’s unfortunate, we obviously tried to do our best as quickly as we could, and after riding for a couple of days he obviously wasn’t quite right.

“The sensible thing to do when you’ve got big rides like that (Jonbon) is to not let everybody down. It’s a very difficult decision, but we’ll take it day by day and hopefully he’ll be back next week.”



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De Boinville lining up return to the saddle at Market Rasen on Friday

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Nico de Boinville is poised to make his return from a broken collar bone at Market Rasen on Friday.

The rider was injured in a fall at Doncaster on December 29 but should he pass the doctor on Thursday, De Boinville will make his comeback on two mounts for his boss, Nicky Henderson, at the Lincolnshire track.

However, not only does De Boinville need to get medical permission to resume riding, he also needs the meeting to pass a precautionary inspection at noon on Thursday due to the current cold spell.

De Boinville does appear to have won his race against time to take the plum mount on Jonbon in Saturday’s BetMGM Clarence House Chase at Ascot – although that meeting is also subject to the weather. He would clearly be in pole position to ride should the meeting be moved to Cheltenham the following week, as happened last year.

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

The situation neatly sums up the life of a National Hunt jockey as De Boinville has only taken the reins on Jonbon this season as regular partner Aidan Coleman remains sidelined himself.

Henderson said: “He’s got to pass his medical tomorrow and if he passes that then he’s fine to ride.

“Obviously James (Bowen) has stepped up brilliantly in his absence but Nico has been riding out since last weekend.

“Nico knows them all inside out but James is in here everyday as well, he knows them all too.”

De Boinville is scheduled to ride Jemura in the Read Nicky Henderson’s Exclusive Unibet Blog Handicap Hurdle and Kutaiba in the Listed  Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Alan Swinbank Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race.

Jonbon and Nico de Boinville on their way to winning the Tingle Creek
Jonbon and Nico de Boinville on their way to winning the Tingle Creek (John Walton/PA)

Looking ahead to Ascot, Henderson said: “It’s such a pain with the weather as everyone is really looking forward to it. We hope it will be all right.

“I don’t see why we wouldn’t go to Cheltenham next week if that is what happens. I’ve seen they’ve said El Fabiolo probably won’t travel twice, but it is pointless me speculating what they might or might not do.

“All I know is we are very happy with Jonbon, we couldn’t be happier and we were really looking forward to the race, I’m sure a lot of people were, and hopefully it will still take place with both of them running.

“We haven’t been held up by the weather, the only thing we can’t do is school on grass but we’ve got an all-weather schooling strip as well and an indoor school, so otherwise everything is fine.

“I’m trying to be an optimist, but I’m finding it quite hard.”



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De Boinville sidelined by collarbone injury

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Nico de Boinville is set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering a broken collarbone in a fall at Doncaster on Friday.

The leading rider was partnering 13-8 favourite The Therapist for his boss Nicky Henderson on Town Moor when he and his mount crashed out two flights from the finish.

De Boinville sat out the rest of the card and also missed out on a couple of winners at Newbury on Saturday, including the hugely exciting Jeriko Du Reponet.

Confirming his injury in his Unibet blog, the jockey said: “Unfortunately, I took a crunching fall on Therapist at Doncaster on Friday, and I will be out for a while.

“I pretty much knew that it wasn’t a routine departure soon after I hit the deck, and an X-ray this morning confirmed that I had broken my clavicle.

“It’s obviously annoying, with so many of our good horses looking to prove themselves in better races at this time of the year, as at Newbury today, but it’s only a small-scale setback in the grand scheme of things.

“I don’t know exactly how long I will be out for at the moment, but I’ll just have to get my head down and concentrate on the recovery.

“Others are in a far worse spot than me, so I won’t be feeling sorry for myself.”



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