Simonsig has put Nicky Henderson in doubt about the Betfred Novices’ Chase
Perhaps for the first time and hopefully the last, the trainer, Nicky Henderson, has reservations about the potential for his entry, Simonsig, in the Betfred Novices’ Chase at Ascot on Friday. Firstly, the under charge is in for a chasing debut and that too coupled with the most testing ground conditions at the Royal Ascot race course.
The six-year-old grey gelding joined Nicky Henderson’s stable on 12th November, 2011, due to the short racing experience with the team, they are really uncertain about the gelding’s ability to handle the challenging ground that is heavy. His worst to date has been good to soft.
Simonsig has raced under the Nicky Henderson stable supervision five times, initially he brought back the title and then scored second in the closing race of the 2011 season. He has not looked back ever since then.
His last two accomplishments were in graded company. He has struck a great partnership with jockey, Barry Geraghty.
The favourite entry took the winning title of the Grade 1 Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle on 14th March, 2012 at Cheltenham over two miles and five furlongs.
He set the Willie Mullins’ trained, Felix Yonger, into the second slot.
The improving gelding has already managed a 3 to 1 shot for the Arkle Trophy in March.
The popular entry then did not get mellow in the Grade 2 John Smith’s Mersey Novices’ Hurdle on 14th April, 2012 at Aintree race course over two miles and four furlongs.
The grey gelding will be against four rivals in his chasing debut, Act Of Kalanisi, Ashbourne Folly, Dare Me and Sulpius.
"He did travel like a very good horse when he was second to Fingal Bay over hurdles at Sandown last year and it was pretty soft that day, so we just have to hope for the best.”
"It's going to be horrible ground, I'd imagine, but if he hates it he's just going to have to put up with it as I have to get him out. He had a little niggling problem about a month ago, but he has done mountains of work and schooling since then and everything has gone well."
Maybe the trainer is getting all tensed with no good reason and will soon be enjoying the highly unexpected success.
Tags: