Darlan to be a major player in the Racing Post Hurdle with the Champion Hurdle in mind
Despite the threesome entries of the top-class trainer, Paul Nicholls, in the Racing Post Hurdle, Nicky Henderson trained, Darlan, tops the chart for the favourites of the first big Champion Hurdle Trial race of the National Hunt season. Taking his chance at the hurdle will require him to carry top-weight. The trainer can also be represented by, Cash And Go.
His hopefuls for the race will collide with Prospect Wells, Dark Lover and Ted Spread, conditioned by, Paul Nicholls.
With the Champion Hurdle in mind, Darlan is expected shoot off his season with the Racing Post Hurdle success. The race was formerly known as the Greatwood, and has been won by many incredible racing icons.
In 2002, Rooster Booster was the highly impressive winner of the race, and later on he got the credit of putting the Champion Hurdle success right beside his name.
Sizing Europe is another winner of this race who later went on to add to his experience levels much more challenging and refined.
Darlan’s most threatening opponent in the race was, Raya Star, who now has been scratched from the line-up, leaving the five-year-old brown gelding to rule over the track.
The Nicky Henderson trained, Darlan, has been successful in two out of the four seasonal attempts that he undertook.
Milan’s gelding was the favourite entry for the Southwest-Racing.co.uk Novices’ Hurdle on 9th January, 2012 at Taunton over two miles and a furlong.
He defeated the Paul Nicholls entry, Jump City, by just half-length while he was onboard jockey, Ruby Walsh.
The five-year-old then qualified as the runner-up of the Grade 1 William Hill Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on 13th March, 2012 at Cheltenham. He missed the chance by 1 ¼ lengths with jockey, A. P. McCoy onboard.
The struggle for better gave him wings in the Grade 2Tangle Teaser Top Novices’ Hurdle in April at Aintree.
Paul Nicholls has been on the high end ever since the hurdle and chase season took off so his entries in the Racing Post Hurdle should not be taken lightly specially when one of them, Prospect Wells, just ended as the runner-up of the Elite Hurdle, which was won by his stable mate.
Tags: