Equinties - reason found

Gm Equinauts

Racing fans are never pleased. There’s always something to moan about and yeh, some of the time is might be warranted, perhaps when the higher powers that be shaft owners or even when a race doesn’t pan out the way it should have.

But to be disgruntled over Nicky Henderson’s transparency when concerning one of racings super stars, CONSTITUTION HILL, is plain stupid.

Yeh, it’s probably pocket talk from those who keep backing the Freak ante-post but even then, how do they realise that what Hendo is providing is utterly brilliant content which, if nothing else, serves to educate you on the difficulties of training an elite athlete.

Ultimately, you’d rather have too much info than none at all, so fair play to both the journalists asking the questions and more, Nick for keep everyone updated - which he doesn’t need to do!

Let’s dive in.

HEADLINE ROUNDUP

REASON FOUND

Yesterdays update was an upbeat piece of communication from Henderson as he said his stable star was feeling much better on Monday morning, which will hopefully mean he can get back on track for the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle.

Furthermore, it was a fascinating insight into understanding the horse. One might even say more trainers need to do it, but let’s be honest, CONSTITUTION HILL is the only horse people care about right now!

An MRI scan revealed that inflammation in his pastern that was touching a nerve, causing a lot of pain. We thought that was so interesting and also, so positive as it means connections might enjoy a very swift recovery if managed correctly.

As for the other bit of Henderson news to talk about, in the race that SIR GINO was going to start his chasing career off, IBERICO LORD won nicely in the green and gold of JP McManus.

The race took a bit of a hit when GIDLEIGH PARK pulled up before the sixth fence and Harry Fry gave an update post-race to confirm that he was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.

From then on, it was a bit easy for IBERICO LORD to put away LEAVE OF ABSENCE who was having his first start for 758 days.

His jumping could do with some polishing, but that warmed up through the race and he didn’t come off the bridle. LEAVE OF ABSENCE was third in a Grade 2 bumper to LOOKAWAY two seasons ago, in fairness.

He’s clearly nice, but he’s no SIR GINO. Or CONSTIUTION HILL for that matter!

KEEP ON KABRAL

As for other Kempton winners yesterday, was there quite a nice performance in the finale?

It was only a conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle, but KABRAL DU MATHAN made light work of his mark of 123 (and his even-money odds) to win under Freddie Gingell.

The jockey change was the pointer really. Feddie was down to ride for his Uncle Joe Tizzard but hopped off for Nicholls’.

Betting’s easy in hindsight, hey!

Right, let’s talk about why this horse winning yesterday is notable.

Firstly, Harry Cobden’s comments last season would suggest they think plenty of this horse.

He said: "He’s another smashing horse to look forward to for next season.

"I’m already thinking about where we can go with him, which says a lot about what kind of esteem we hold him in!"

Secondly, Natalie Parker highlighted him as her horse to follow from Paul Nicholls’ yard at the beginning of the season.

And finally, he is a PASTORIUS half-brother to the Listed-placed EXTREME NOUBA, so he has a nice bit of French breeding on his side.

The second, KING WILLIAM RUFUS, is also a half-decent horse from last year thanks to his form with JERIKO DU REPONET, so he didn’t beat mugs yesterday, and it’s always notable when Nicholls’ handicap horses get well-backed before winning like a good thing.

It’s not a huge stretch to say that he could be competing in Graded race down the line considering he is only four, so he is sure to be a horse to follow in handicaps going forward.

DAN’S PLANS

Dan Skelton caused a good laugh yesterday by continuing to harp on about how LANGER DAN is a summer horse who doesn’t winter well.

He’s getting the excuses in early and let’s move on from LANGER DAN as we know he wins when Dan wants.

More interestingly, in the immediate aftermath of the Betfair Chase on Saturday, Dan Skelton was convinced that GREY DAWNING would be set for a fair bit of time away from the track. The gruelling nature of the race on his first start of the season worried him, and that’s fair enough but Skelton has confirmed that he’s come out of the race well, although not well enough for the King George to be on the agenda.

In the Racing Post, he said: "Immediately afterwards I thought we wouldn't run him again for a good while, but the way he came out of the race gives me a lot more hope we'll perhaps see him sooner than I thought. It doesn't bring any race into question, and I won't be drawn into making any decisions yet.

"I was expecting him to be really tired on Sunday, but he'd eaten all his food and he was as bright as a button. He trotted up sound and he's come out of it better than I thought he was going to. I thought he'd be very tired."

But, in Harry Skelton’s Star Sports column, the races named were the Cotswold Chase and Denman Chase.

Reading between the lines, the comment from Dan Skelton of “we’ll perhaps see him sooner than I thought” might edge him towards a Cotswold Chase on Trials Day which is the race he used to prep PROTEKTORAT for the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Admittedly, he had him massively undercooked that day and he was disappointing, but surely Skelton wouldn’t make the same mistake again?

The 16/1 about him in the King George probably says enough. He’s unlikely for Kempton, but be prepared to see him again in the new year.

Speaking of the King George, Emmet Mullins is targeting the race with CORBETTS CROSS who missed the Betfair Chase on Saturday.

RISK ON

It was good to see our man Norm in the winners enclosure yesterday, getting himself out of LAST place!

Today looks tough, another day of no bets. Apologies to the degenerates who bet every day.

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