Constitution Hill handler Nicky Henderson will be looking for further success at this year’s Cheltenham Festival with star runners Shishkin and Luccia set to feature on Day 3.
With Shishkin going in the Ryanair Chase and Luccia in the Jack De Bromhead Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, there are seven other runners from Henderson’s yard seeking Cheltenham glory on Thursday.
13:30 – Turners Novices’ Chase
- Balco Coastal – 10/1
With star jockey Nico de Boinville in the saddle, there are hopes Balco Coastal could do something special to get Henderson’s yard off to a flying start on Thursday.
Winning a novices handicap at Kempton on his second chase start, Balco Coastal has been earning each-way supporters, with Gordon Elliott’s Mighty Potter a strong favourite at 11/10.
14:10 – Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle
Henderson has three runners going in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle, with Walking On Air the pick of the bunch.
After undergoing surgery having been pulled up at Aintree last April, Walking On Air was back to winning ways last month at Exeter.
If he can continue on his current trajectory, he could be in the thick of the action at the business end, while Captain Morgs and Mill Green will be hoping to cause a shock at Prestbury Park.
14:50 – Ryanair Chase
- Shishkin – 4/5
Already a dual Cheltenham Festival winner with success in the 2020 Supreme and the 2021 Arkle, Shishkin will be looking to return to the winner’s enclosure on Thursday in the Ryanair Chase.
Henderson’s charge did have flops in the Champion Chase last year and the Tingle Creek this season but Shishkin is believed to have overcome the physical issues behind those performances.
Having seen Constitution Hill deliver on Day 1, Henderson will be looking for the same from Shishkin on Day 3.
16:50 – Jack De Bromhead Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
Another favourite on Thursday going into the Jack De Bromhead Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, all eyes will be on Luccia to see if she can deliver.
She was being considered for the Supreme but Luccia, who has four previous wins over this distance, is the one to beat for the 16:50.
Under Control and Ahorsewithnoname also feature for Henderson but they would have to deliver the performance of their careers to come close to their stablemate.
17:30 – Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase
- Emir Sacree – 40/1
Concluding Thursday’s racing for the Seven Barrows handler, 40/1 outsider Emir Sacree goes in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase.
With Mr Tommie M O’Brien in the saddle, Emir Sacree will be hoping to build on an impressive third at Sandown last month.
Share Article
