Ed Chamberlin reflects on Saturday's big-race action at Sandown
Ed Chamberlin reflects on Saturday's big-race action, including Laurina's smooth comeback success at Sandown.
It was great to have Laurina back in action at Sandown today and it was fantastic that we were able to see her live on ITV - a decision to reschedule the card that I was fully behind and one I feel was fully justified.
Thank you to the sponsors and to Sandown for making it possible and though there will be many people who will say we haven't learnt anything new about Laurina, today has left us all, including me, with a few things to consider before Cheltenham.
I said a long time ago that Laurina was my idea of this season's Champion Hurdle winner and she is obviously very good but we keep talking about her as a stayer - Mick [Fitzgerland] and Luke [Harvery] mentioned it a few times on air today - and I just worry about whether she'll have the speed for a Champion Hurdle when they turn the taps on coming down the hill.
My other concern is her jumping. She made a couple of slight mistakes today which can be excused because it was a two-runner race and they weren't going a great gallop but I have a nagging doubt about whether she'll jump well enough to win a Champion Hurdle when they are going hell for leather.
Buveur D'Air, on the other hand, is as slick as they come over his hurdles and Laurina is still so inexperienced. You'd hope they might be able to get another run into her before Cheltenham.
I'm her biggest fan and I put her up at the start of the season as my horse to follow but today has just left me a little bit concerned about those two things.
Laurina beats Sensulano to win the Unibet Mares' Hurdle
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) January 5, 2019
Thoughts on the way she travelled? pic.twitter.com/oTifvXAB1X
We need her to breathe life into the Champion Hurdle division because it is a bare cupboard at the moment but the fact Willie Mullins has come out said that Ruby [Walsh] will definitely ride her in March, despite the stable also having the likes of Sharjah in line for the race, tells you a lot about how highly they rate her at home.
The Tolworth was a fascinating race and I wouldn't be giving up on Rathhill. I think he'll win good races down the line, probably on good ground, and I just think today was too much for him at this stage of his development.
Mick said beforehand that he was still a baby and I agree but I wouldn't be giving up on him.
The winner is a really nice horse. He's another smashing grey for Terry Warner to look forward to but whether he's a Sky Bet Supreme winner I'm not sure.
That said, I was doubting Summerville Boy and Kalashnikov this time last year and look how that turned out!
As for those in behind, there are a few in there who might just be short of top class but they remain good prospects and don't be surprised if there is a future big handicap winner lurking amongst them.
The Veterans' Race is such a wonderful race and a wonderful concept. All our old friends on show - I've probably backed most of them over the years - and it's just amazing to see them strutting their stuff.
I felt so sorry for old Buywise who didn't deserve that as he came to potentially challenge the winner Houblon Des Obeaux who has run in just about everything going - Grand Nationals, Gold Cups, bet365 Gold Cups, Denman Chases, Ladbrokes Trophies and a Midlands National.
He is just fantastic. 61 races now, his 10th win today, and he represents a trainer in Venetia Williams who can do no wrong at present and who has her string in brilliant form.
Houblon Des Obeaux wins Unibet Veterans' Handicap Chase @Sandownpark! pic.twitter.com/9zYJDAIwFZ
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) January 5, 2019
She's just a superb trainer and I think we can put to bed the theory that she can only train winners on soft ground. Good ground, soft ground, she trains winners all over the place and Houblon Des Obeaux epitomises everything that is good about this sport; toughness, longevity and a big heart.
He is a fantastic racehorse.
It was lovely to see Jane Williams and daughter Lizzie Kelly celebrating success in the finale after Monsieur Lecoq won in really good style.
He was deeply impressive and was led in by Susie Young whose face summed up the very best of the job for grooms up and down the country,
We've tried over our first two years on ITV Racing to bring both owners and stable staff to the forefront of the coverage because without them there would be no racing. That is a fact.
As was highlighted on the Opening Show this morning, there are major stable staff issues to address in the sport but for everyone watching, the joy on various grooms' faces today tells you what a wonderful job it is.
I just hope it's a career that young and old want to get involved in.
Nicky Henderson spoke passionately on the Opening Show this morning about this and I can tell you that along with mental health, this is an issue we will be covering strongly in the coming months.
"The industry is in crisis"
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) January 5, 2019
Nicky Henderson on the stable staff shortage: pic.twitter.com/vXF87u8gWJ
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