Don’t miss Unibet ambassador Nico de Boinville’s latest column as looks ahead to the Grand National and talks weekend rides
IT’S been a quiet week but there was a fair bit of excitement in the village where my wife has her stud.
A film crew descended on our corner of the Cotswolds to film Jane Austin’s Emma. I did think about offering my services to play the leading man but unfortunately my top hat and tail coat are at the cleaners.
There’s often camera crews knocking around the area. I don’t live too far from where the comedy This Country is filmed.
Luckily, I’ve not been asked to be in that, either.
Hopefully, I’ll be playing a starring role at Aintree this week but Altior and Santini won’t be there.
We’ve still got plenty of ammunition.
AINTREE ABSENTEES Cheltenham heroes Altior and Santini both to miss Grand National meeting
Pentland Hills – my Triumph Hurdle winner – will attempt to double up in the Grade 1 for juveniles and Mr Whipped is likely to run in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase. He’s been going well at home and will love the step up to 3m in Friday’s race.
Also on Friday I’ve got O O Seven in the Topham over the Grand National fences. He’ll wear blinkers again after running well in the Ultima Chase at Cheltenham. Over 3m he just got tired turning in.
He’ll be much happier over 2m5f and he schooled very well over the Aintree style fences we’ve got at Lambourn the other day.
It’s going to hot up a lot next week so it’s quite nice to have a quiet few days.
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I’ve just got the one today at Stratford for the boss. Alph (5.25) runs in the bumper so I’ll have the Altior colours on at least once this week.
The ground will suit him, the track will suit him and he did settle a lot better than he had been doing at Huntingdon on his last start. I’m hoping he’s learnt a lot from that.
We’ve always thought he’s got ability but he just needs to show it now.
I’ve got two rides at Ascot tomorrow.
I’m on Bold Reason (2.45) for Ben Pauling in the juvenile handicap hurdle. He’s gone up 6lbs for finishing second at Southwell on his handicap debut but not much went right for him that day.
Ben’s turning him out quite quickly and he should appreciate the ground, big field and the track.
He needs to settle but this race gives him a good chance of doing that.
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I think Josses Hill (4.30) will like Ascot. I know he’s an 11-year-old now and he needs the cheekpieces to help dangle the carrot in front of him a bit but he’s still got that ability.
We’ll probably change the tactics a little bit – ride him more patiently and let him pass horses.
He stayed on well from the rear when fourth behind Charbel in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon so I’m hoping that will keep his interest.
After Ascot is out of the way I’ll be looking forward to Aintree and hopefully Step Back will give me a good spin in the Grand National but I’ll tell you all about that next Saturday.
“Read the thoughts of five-time Champion Trainer Nicky Henderson and stable jockey Nico de Boinville exclusively at Unibet each week throughout the Jump Season. Unibet are an award-winning sports betting and casino operator with over 16 million customers, and proud sponsors of the Unibet Champion Hurdle, The Irish Gold Cup and betting partner of the Investec Derby.”