Henderson hotpot to chalk up 10th win
He has won all nine of his races over fences and, indeed, hasn’t met defeat since taking third to Al Ferof and Spirit Son in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival over two years ago.
His latest two victories have been awesome.
At Cheltenham, Sprinter Sacre destroyed Sizing Europe in the two-mile Champion Chase and followed by toying with the high-class Cue Card at Aintree. Anything less than a typically smooth success for Nicky Henderson’s star will amount to a major surprise.
Champagne Fever, who showed his true colours at Cheltenham, is the nap choice in a smashing renewal of the Grade 1 Herald Champion Novice Hurdle.
After a mid-season blip, when performing deplorably at Naas in January, the six-year-old came right back to form.
He won at Leopardstown, as a prelude to a career-best effort in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the festival. The grey bounded away in front from the start and found loads for Ruby Walsh pressure to hold My Tent Or Yours by half a length on the run in. My Tent Or Yours boosted the form when subsequently winning in a canter at Aintree.
Jezki was third to Champagne Fever at Cheltenham, beaten two and a three quarter lengths, and might have finished closer but for getting it wrong at the last.
He has to be respected, along with Rule The World, rather surprisingly dropped in distance, after taking second to the ultra-smart The New One in the two miles and five Neptune Management Investment Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Back In Focus, who landed the four-mile National Hunt Chase on unsuitably quick ground at Cheltenham, gets the nod in a tricky Grade 1 Growise Champion Novice Chase.
Gordon Elliott’s winning point-to-point, Very Wood, is highly regarded and can take the Finlay Motor Group Bumper.
