Darlan set for the seasonal debut in the Christmas Hurdle
The champion in 2010 and then the defending champion in 2011, Binocular, is no longer contesting in the Christmas Hurdle. His absence from the line-up initially was uncertain, but now is definite. Representing the Nicky Henderson’s stable now is the five-year-old brown gelding, Darlan.
The trainer can also bring out Punjabi who has been off tracks for nearly 1,000 days now, owing to an injury.
His seasonal break earlier was delayed due to the testing ground conditions of the StanJames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle earlier this month. The race was won by, Countrywide Flame.
Milan’s brown gelding is all set to race in the colours of the owner, JP McManus, in the field of eleven entries.
Darlan drew the curtains on the previous season with the success in the Grade 2 Tangle Teaser Top Novices’ Hurdle on 13th April, 2012 at Aintree race course over two miles and half a furlong.
The race turned out to be one-two for the genius of his profession trainer, Nicky Henderson, as Darlan defeated the stable mate, Captain Conan, by 3 ¾ lengths. With the break at the third position that was taken by the Paul Nicholls’ trained, Prospect Wells, the fourth ranking went to the winning stable through, Oscara Dara.
The eight-year-old bay gelding, Get Me Out Of Here, is trained by, Jonjo O’Neill, but comes under the same owner flagship, JP McManus. There is a possibility that there will be two in the field of eleven racing in his colours.
McManus' racing manager, Frank Berry, said: "Darlan is in good form and we're looking forward to get him out. He'll definitely run at Kempton all going well and we just hope the ground isn't too testing for him."
Of stablemate Binocular, Berry said: "He's fine, but he's just not quite ready yet. Hopefully he'll be ready to start off early in the new year, but we've not made any definite plans at this stage.
Berry said: "Plans are up in the air for him and it depends on the ground."
Darlan did not participate in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, but he will probably face confrontation with the winner, Countrywide Flame, and the runner-up, Cinders And Ashes.
Paul Nicholls will saddle Dodging Bullets and Brampour.
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