Charli out to answer festival conundrum for Henderson and McManus

1.50 Kempton

Betbright Genius Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) | 2m, 4yo | ITV4/RUK

Nicky Henderson steers Charli Parcs along a very familiar path hoping the highly regarded four-year-old can make a compelling case for inclusion in JP McManus's JCB Triumph Hurdle challenge.

The second favourite for the juvenile hurdling crown missed an opportunity to run on trials day at Cheltenham when he was a late withdrawal due to unsuitable ground from a race in which he was declared to take on Triumph Hurdle favourite Defi Du Seuil, who is also in McManus ownership.

In the last ten years Henderson has won the race with future champions Punjabi and Binocular, as well as saddling Soldatino to take the contest en route to winning the Triumph in 2010.

Charli Parcs, bought for €250,000 after winning his sole start in France, showed an impressive turn of foot to win over course and distance in December and eight-length runner-up Master Blueyes, in opposition again, has since got off the mark at Ludlow.

Fine record
The Adonis has a very good pedigree and Soldatino aside has also been won by future Triumph winners Zarkandar and Penzance.

Quietened down
Evening Hush was strongly fancied against Defi Du Seuil in the Finale Hurdle at Chepstow but, even with a 7lb allowance, she was beaten 13 lengths.

What they say

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Charli Parcs and Percy Street
Charli Parcs is a lovely horse. He does everything right, he had done before Kempton, when he did what I hoped he would. I hope he can do it again. Percy Street hasn't done what I expected but I think it was my fault for running him in very soft ground at Sandown last weekend. I'm trying to put that right. He won very well at Taunton on good ground. I think he'll be a different horse on this better ground.

Lizzie Kelly, rider of Flying Tiger
He was an easy winner last time. We've had a few issues with him being keen but have put a lot of work into sort that out. We think he's very good. It's a good race and it will tell us how good he is.

Gary Moore, trainer of East Indies and Templier
I don't think we've seen the best of either yet. I want to find out where I'm going with them. They're both in the Fred Winter but need to go up a bit to get in it. They both want good ground.

Alan King, trainer of Master Blueyes and Fidux
I was thinking of giving Cheltenham a miss with Master Blueyes and keeping him back for Aintree, but he bounced back so well after winning at Ludlow a fortnight ago we've decided to test the water with him here. Fidux won his first two races and wasn't disgraced though beaten next time at Musselburgh.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Bedrock
I don't want to give away his novice status at the end of February as that would be a silly thing to do, so we're starting off in this and will see how he gets on and where it leads us.

Evan Williams, trainer of Evening Hush
Every way I look at her last race she just wasn't good enough to beat Defi Du Seuil, who is a very good horse, and the same is being said about Charli Parcs. This is our Gold Cup and probably more a stepping stone for some of these. She's a very good filly but maybe not a Grade 1 performer against geldings.