Somersby set for Sandown

Henrietta Knight has confirmed Somersby as an intended runner in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown on Saturday week.

The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle third made an impeccable start to his chasing career at Warwick but faces a steep step up in class for the Grade Two event.

Knight also has high hopes for another young chaser, Minella Theatre, who won well at Hereford, but has hit out at the programme for such horses.

“Somersby will run next weekend in the Henry VIII at Sandown,” said Knight.

“The two-mile division looks very strong, Sizing Europe looks superb and there are some good horses in this country too.

“There’ll be some good races over two miles this year.

“It is difficult with Minella Theatre to know where to go next after you’ve won a novice chase, you are forced into conditions races or handicaps so I don’t know where he’ll go next.

“There are a shortage of races for horses like him and I think the whole programme needs looking into.

“It is ruining young chasers as they are not coming through, they are going into races with very good horses and they haven’t got the experience.

“Minella Theatre didn’t surprise me because I think he is a very good horse and he was always going to be better over fences,” she told Racing UK.