Market Man goes back to basics

Nicky Henderson is set to return to his original tactics with The Market Man and allow the flamboyant chestnut to go from the front in Wednesday’s RSA Chase at Cheltenham.

After looking outstanding at Newbury in November, his season suffered a hitch when finishing a distant fourth in the Feltham Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Henderson said: “I thought after Newbury he’d win the Feltham, then straight to the (RSA) and it would be easy-peasy but it just all went a bit pear-shaped at Kempton.

“I think we got lulled into a little false sense of security and, without giving too much away, I think you will find we will be ride him a lot more positively.

“We tried to ride a race on him at Kempton and he didn’t get into a rhythm and never jumped.

“Kempton and Cheltenham are as different as you can possibly get.

“You still have to stay round Kempton but he got in a bit of a muddle.

“Rain would worry me. He’s a very good jumper and on very good ground I think we will be right up there.

“Carruthers would be the horse I personally would love to see win as it would be a fairytale story, but it’s quite wide open and ground is going to be crucial.”