Henderson trio may all come unstuck in competitive Grade 1

Solomon Grey
1.20 Kempton
2pts each-wayDanny Whizzbang
1.55 Kempton
2pts winDidero Vallis
2.10 Wetherby
1pt each-wayCh’tibello
2.30 Kempton
2pts each-wayIf there is an advantage to having a murky Champion Hurdle picture it’s that the trials tend to be more competitive than usual and, assuming Fusil Raffles goes off at no shorter than 2-1, he’ll be the longest-priced favourite for the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (2.30) at Kempton for 25 years.

Nicky Henderson seems to have a stranglehold on this as he has the first three in the betting but, as with Pentland Hills in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham a couple of weeks ago, his market leader simply doesn’t deserve his position in the betting on bare form.

Fusil Raffles is undoubtedly the horse with the most potential for improvement, but he’s officially only the sixth best in the race. In a handicap he’d be receiving 10lb from last year’s winner Verdana Blue and, as this is a Grade 1, he has to give her the 7lb sex allowance.