Captain Conan beats the line-up of the Markel Insurance Henry VIII Novices’ Chase
The weekend could not have been any better for the Nicky Henderson’s stable as they collected quite a few honours, one of them was brought back to the trainer by the five-year-old bay gelding, Captain Conan. The French gelding kept his 2012 unbeaten record intact by bagging the prize money of the Grade 1 Markel Insurance Henry VIII Novices’ Chase on 8th December, 2012 at Sandown race course over two miles.
Nicky Henderson’s market leader was paired up against the stable jockey, Barry Geraghty, they made it all out with a strong start that they maintained for the rest of the trip.
The duo did not wait for long to set the pace of the field and then took mileage over the Paul Nicholls’ trained, Hinterland. Captain Conan cruised by good 3 ½ lengths.
Henderson said: "That was great. He didn't really want to do it on his own but no one was going to help, and Barry let him enjoy himself. That was very good for a big horse and he kept galloping and he was agile and tidy.
"I wouldn't rule out going further at some stage, but on that ground and a stiff track, we might as well as stay at two miles. He's not a slow horse."
Kingsalsa’s bay gelding out of, Lavandou, took off the season with a success in the Grade 2 Racing Post Arkle Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase on 18th November, 2012 at Cheltenham race course over two miles.
With the same team combination, he defeated Sire De Grugy, by two lengths.
The trainer had also won the Grade 1 Sportingbet Tingle Creek on the same card with, Sprinter Sacre, against the Paul Nicholls’ trained, Sanctuaire, who eventually finished third.
The splendid success over the weekend also included the Sportingbet Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) on 8th December, 2012 at Sandown race course over two miles and half a furlong, with Petit Robin.
The trainer said: "This is an amazing comeback as the horse fractured his shoulder in a fall at Ascot. Nine times out of 10 that would be curtains."
Nicky Henderson has truly earned his edge over the arch rival, Paul Nicholls.
Tags: