Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Old Park Star is an intended runner against Kabral Du Mathan and co at Cheltenham on Saturday, providing the ground is deemed suitable.
Nicky Henderson has Old Park Star ready to roll for his chasing debut but is keen to monitor the ground conditions at Cheltenham.
The six-year-old Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner holds an entry in Saturday’s Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase over two miles, where he could meet the likes of Dan Skelton’s impressive recent Perth winner, but Henderson also has an alternative engagement in mind for Old Park Star should conditions prove unsuitably fast.
Wednesday’s beginners’ chase at Ffos Las is considered the back-up plan as things stand, with the Seven Barrows trainer delighted with what he’s seen from his star novice hurdler from last season.
Speaking on a Wednesday lunchtime press call organised by The Jockey Club, Henderson said: “We’ve been very happy. He’s had a racecourse gallop and his schooling has been very good.
“I’ve always said I’m not mad about novices having their first runs around Cheltenham – and Ascot probably – they are difficult tracks and it’s not as simple as let’s say a Newbury.
“The plan was actually to go to Exeter next week but that doesn’t exist (abandoned due to fast ground), but they have put on a novice chase, very kindly, at Ffos Las next week which would probably be the most sensible thing… but he’s in very good form.
“I realise what we’re taking on, Kabral Du Mathan in particular but there are plenty in there.
“The intention is there. The most important thing is going to be the ground, we will look and see what they say the ground is like on Friday. And if Nico’s happy on Friday, then it’s all systems go.
“I look forward to it with a certain amount of trepidation. He was unbeaten last season, he’s the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner and his life is in front of him still. Fences are very much part of it. It won’t be easy but I think he’s up for it.”
Regarding Old Park Star’s schooling work to this point, the trainer said: “His jumping has been good to be fair. He was a very, very good jumper of a hurdle. But we’d ask ourselves the question ‘could we win a Champion Hurdle?’. In days done by we’ve crossed that bridge. Altior could have won a Champion Hurdle but we never tried it. Constitution Hill never went chasing.
“With this horse I think it was more with his jumping style, he wasn’t like a hurdler. From See You Then to Binocular to Buveur D’air… their one weapon was to cross a hurdle very quickly – low and fast.
“This fella jumps more than he hurdles and I think that told us a bit and after his first schooling over fences we made our mind up straight away.”
Could frost be an issue at Cheltenham?
Ground conditions are described as 'Good, Good to Soft in places' at Cheltenham following 6mm of rain on Tuesday evening into Wednesday and, with the forecast now largely dry for the three-day meeting, officials will continue to irrigate the course.
However, there is another possible stumbling block facing the Prestbury Park team.
Clerk of the Course Jon Pullin explained: "We'll continue watering so we get as much moisture in the track as we can ahead of Friday. But the overnight temperatures on Friday and Saturday are less than helpful - we could see temperatures down below zero - so it does impact our ability to irrigate between days. Hence the continuing to water now, to get as much moisture in as we can.
"Then we'll just see where we are on Friday and Saturday. Saturday's overnight forecast is slightly better (milder), temperatures should stay above freezing, so there may be a window to irrigate if necessary Saturday into Sunday, because the forecast from now is dry."
More from Sporting Life
- Free bets
- Racecards
- Fast results
- Full results & free video replays
- Horse racing news
- Horse racing tips
- Horse racing features
- Download our free iOS & Android app
- Football & other sports tips
- Podcasts & video content
Safer gambling
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.
