What the trainers say ahead of Henry VIII Chase
What the trainers are saying ahead of the randoxhealth.com Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown on Saturday.
David Mullins is looking forward to continuing his association with Brain Power in what promises to be a most informative running of the randoxhealth.com Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown on Saturday.
The 2016 Grand National-winning jockey was pleased with six-year-old's successful debut over fences at Kempton last month and the Irish rider makes another trip across the water to team up again with the Michael Buckley-owned gelding.
However, Mullins knows this is a jump in class for Nicky Henderson's charge on just his second start over the larger obstacles.
"I'm really looking forward to it," said Mullins. "He did it well at Kempton, but he'll have to step up again now he's taking on higher company."I imagine they are the best of the English two-mile novices and it's a Grade One, so you'd expect it to be a real test."
Finian's Oscar is unbeaten in two races over fences at around two and a half miles this season, but drops back to two miles.
The dual Grade One-winning novice hurdler had been expected to line up at Cheltenham next week, but trainer Colin Tizzard decided the horse was in such good condition that he may as well strike while the iron is hot.
"It looks a cracking race. There's good prize money and Finian's Oscar is in really good form," said the Dorset handler. "Do we wait a week for Cheltenham or go for this one? We saw no reason why we shouldn't go for this one. That's why we're here."
A sub-plot in this tip-top five-runner heat is the rematch between old rivals North Hill Harvey and Sceau Royal.
When they met at Cheltenham in October, Dan Skelton's North Hill Harvey prevailed by a neck from Alan King's runner, who was conceding 5lb. Both horses have won since and neither can be discounted, despite taking on other talented novices. Skelton believes the course at Sandown will play to North Hill Harvey's strengths.
"As he's got older and stronger he's actually got a bit faster and I think Sandown will really suit him," the trainer told At The Races. "When you ran him against top-class opposition over two miles as a hurdler he looked like he wanted further, then you ran him over further and he looked like he didn't stay.
"Probably as a hurdler he was just sub-Grade One level. As a chaser, going into the weekend, he doesn't appear to be that at all and warrants his position towards the top of the market. You can say he's definitely a better chaser than hurdler and we won't be getting away from two miles until we have to. His attitude counts for a lot as well. He really enjoys it."
King reports Sceau Royal to be at the top of his game following his facile win in a two-horse race at Warwick.
"Sceau Royal only won a 'match' at Warwick last time, but he has come out of that race fresh and well and his confidence is sky-high," the Barbury Castle trainer told www.alankingracing.co.uk. Trying to give 5lb to North Hill Harvey at Cheltenham previously was probably a nigh impossible task, so, though he is again mixing it with the big boys, he is in good order and we just want that rain to stay away."
The talented quintet is completed by the Paul Nicholls-trained Capitaine, who was beaten six lengths by Finian's Oscar in the Tolworth Hurdle at this track in January. He has taken well to chasing, winning both his start over fences, albeit in lesser company.
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