Spirit Son doubtful for Champion Hurdle

Nicky Henderson’s Spirit Son, third favourite for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in most bookmaker’s lists, is doubtful for the race due to a leg injury. The extent of the injury is not yet clear but Henderson has made it clear that he will not be taking any chances with the horse and would rather have him fit and healthy for next season than risk serious damage attempting to get him ready for Cheltenham in March.

Henderson, speaking on Channel 4 racing, voiced his disapproval of the reporting of the exchanges regarding his horses. Spirit Son had drifted out to 25-1 on Friday night and Henderson recalled similar press coverage surrounding Binocular when his participation had been in doubt in 2010. Binocular has undergone a minor operation to assist his breathing since his narrow victory in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and is on course to try and regain his title. Henderson still retains a very strong hand in the Champion Hurdle with Binocular (9-1), Grandouet (6-1) and Oscar Whisky (16-1), although the latter also holds a World Hurdle entry.

Hurricane Fly, the reigning Champion, is set to reappear at Leopardstown on 29th January in the Irish Champion Hurdle. He could face Dermot Weld’s improving mare Unaccompanied along with Binocular and Oscars Well. Trainer Willie Mullins also has Mikael D’Haguenet, So Young, Thousand Stars and Zaidpour entered at Leopardstown but all eyes will be focussed on the champion who is currently 2-1 favourite to retain his crown.

The ante-post market on the Triumph Hurdle was given a further shake up this week after some notable performances from Grumeti, Ranjaan and Balder Success. Alan King’s Grumeti was perhaps the most eye-catching at Newbury. He was full of running when over jumping and coming to grief at the last flight of hurdles and bookmakers reacted by trimming his odds to 8-1 for Cheltenham. King is also responsible for Balder Success who remains unbeaten in three starts after a comfortable victory at Ascot. Although he will have a Cheltenham entry for which he is now as low as 20-1, King is considering aiming him at Aintree or Punchestown instead.

Ranjaan continued his progress over hurdles for champion trainer Paul Nicholls with victory in a competitive looking hurdle at Taunton. Nicholls was sufficiently impressed to nominate the Triumph Hurdle as his more likely objective ahead of the Fred Winter. On the same card he introduced another smart recruit in Pearl Swan, a €90,000 purchase from France, who recorded a 4-length debut victory. He could make up into a more likely contender for the Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival.