Henderson unleashes Mr Whipped over fences in historically hot novice chase

2.25 Cheltenham
Steel Plate And Sections Novices' Chase | 2m4f, 4yo+ | ITV4/RUK

Whoever wins the Steel Plate and Sections Novices’ Chase will have a hard act to follow, with Denman and Imperial Commander among the illustrious roll of honour.

Even away from those two Gold Cup winners, four future Grade 1-winning chasers in Dynaste, Grands Crus, Taquin Du Seuil and Finian’s Oscar have won this race in the past decade, while Coo Star Sivola became the third horse in that timeframe to achieve Cheltenham Festival handicap glory in the same season as defeat here.

Champion trainer Nicky Henderson is expected to have a big say this time as he unleashes Grade 2-winning hurdler Mr Whipped over fences for the first time, with stablemate Jenkins, who was an easy 1-25 winner on his chasing debut at Stratford, also in the line-up.

Henderson said: “Mr Whipped is in very good form and has schooled very well, but obviously it's his first run over fences. He stays three miles, but I’m always much happier starting a bit shorter than that first time. I don’t like going three miles first time out.

Nicky Henderson is doubly represented with Mr Whipped and JenkinsCredit: Edward Whitaker

“In the long run he’ll probably end up over three miles, whereas Jenkins is the opposite, stepping up from two to two and a half.

"We learned absolutely nothing at Stratford because Jenkins just cantered round on his own. It’s impossible to find the right races to run him in and I wasn’t sure if we wanted to go to two or two and a half miles.

“David Bass thought two and a half would help him around Cheltenham, just to let him find his feet. I just want him to learn a bit more as there are so few novice chases actually around for him.

"You can’t run him in handicaps because he’s rated too high and there are no novice chases, so we’re doing exactly what they [the BHA] want us to do by running two in the same race. You can’t blame the BHA because there’s only ever three runners turning up for these races."

Le Breuil was another to be sent off at long odds-on against just one rival on his chasing debut, winning easily at Huntingdon. He has some smart hurdling performances to his name, but trainer Ben Pauling accepts this will prove a much tougher test.

Pauling said: "He came out of Huntingdon very well and he jumped well. Carrying a penalty won't be easy but I'll be thrilled if he's in the first three."

Jerrysback, a point winner in Ireland and unbeaten in two starts over hurdles, has not run since February 2017 and bids to defy that lengthy absence on his chasing debut for trainer Philip Hobbs.

He said: “He’s been in good form at home and we’ve been very happy with his schooling. It was just because of the yard's health that he missed last season. It’s a very competitive race.”

White Moon, a two-time winner over hurdles, starts his career over fences for Colin Tizzard's in-form stable.

The trainer said:" He was a lovely novice hurdler last season but was always going to make a better chaser. He has had a little wind op over the summer and we hope that will help his cause – with a clear round he will go very close."

Nigel Twiston-Davies's recent Carlisle handicap winner Count Meribel and the Gary Moore-trained Graasten complete the small but select field.

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