Henderson: Darlan has class
Trainer Nicky Henderson expects Darlan to put the fall he had at Newbury behind him when he lines-up for the William Hill Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham tomorrow.
The JP McManus-owned five-year-old was travelling as well as anything when he came down at the second-last flight in the Betfair Hurdle won by Champion Hurdle hope Zarkandar.
He had been unbeaten up to that point, and connections are full of hope Darlan can put the record straight in the Festival curtain-raiser.
“How Darlan took that fall I’ve no idea as he schooled well after Newbury,” said Henderson.
“I do think Darlan has that touch of class. Tetlami, our other runner in the Supreme, you’d call a good horse but Darlan might be a touch better.”
Darlan will be ridden by Tony McCoy, who admits he would not change mounts for anything else in the race.
“Darlan was going very well but it was a long way out at Newbury. Who knows what would have happened, but I wouldn’t swap him,” said the champion jockey.
“Steps To Freedom is a fair horse and apparently he’s flying but I hope Darlan has got a very good chance.”
Steps To Freedom’s trainer Jessica Harrington reports everything has gone to plan since he beat Prospect Wells on this course in November.
“He is in flying form I could not be happier, he has done everything I have asked of him on the run up to this week,” she told her website, www.jessicaharringtonracing.com.
“People question why I haven’t run him since November but that was always the plan.
“I am really looking forward to him hopefully showing his true colours and to get the Irish off to a winner in the first.”
Jockey Robbie Power is looking forward to a decent show from Steps To Freedom.
“The plan’s gone perfectly well with him, and he won over course and distance around there in November, which at Cheltenham is a major help,” he said.
“We know he handles the track and he has been going well at home.
“For every race at Cheltenham you need a little bit of good luck, he’s a tough horse off the Flat and had plenty of hustle and bustle in the bumper at Aintree last year.”
