‘He’s in the same category as Ballyburn’ – Nicky Henderson is raring to go this season

Nicky Henderson had a turbulent campaign last term but his string is ready to fire this season according to the six-time champion trainer. He provided some very encouraging words about a number of horses in his recent Racing Post stable tour so we’ve selected some dark horses to add to your trackers. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.

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Incisive

The confidence behind this horse apparently comes more from the owner than Henderson himself but the fact that he has shared this information with the public is telling.

Henderson remarked: ‘He’s owned by the one and only Ronnie Bartlett, who assures us he’s in the same category as Simonsig and Ballyburn, so we’ll do our best to keep him unbeaten. He won his only point-to-point in Scotland this spring.’

Jango Baie

More than useful last season, Jango Baie is expected to improve this term and big things are expected over the larger obstacles.

The trainer said: ‘We finished the season with a return to Aintree where he ran another fantastic race and finished another gallant second. It was a very productive campaign and he’s grown incredibly over the summer. All is going to plan for him and he’s working very nicely. We intend to go straight over fences and he should be exciting.’

Jeriko Du Reponet

The yard’s spring form certainly affected this horse and he showed loads of potential before Cheltenham. Chasing is on the agenda for him and expectations are high.

Henderson said: ‘He has enormous potential and won his sole point-to-point in Ireland before joining us last season. He really is the most gorgeous big five-year-old and I think he’ll almost certainly go novice chasing this season where maybe over a bit further than two miles he could and should be top-class.’

Jingko Blue

Another novice chaser to look out for this year and if he has developed as much over the summer as his trainer suggests, he could be very smart.

The trainer added: ‘He’s done so well for the summer break, grown and strengthened. He looks every inch a chaser and has schooled well over fences. I’d think two and a half miles is probably his optimum and he has a very bright future.’

Shanagh Bob

This horse is perhaps a Brown Advisory candidate and he certainly possesses the stamina for it, having won a Grade 2 over three miles last season.

His trainer said: ‘He won a Grade 2 at Cheltenham, giving us all huge dreams, but he was one of the ones who couldn’t go to the festival. He’s grown considerably during the summer and will go novice chasing. He jumps really well and I’d be surprised if he wasn’t near top class in this sphere.’

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