Henderson: very soft ground not ideal for chase debutant Mister Fisher

2.10 Warwick
Highflyer Bloodstock Novices' Chase | 2m, 4yo+ | RTV

Mister Fisher, a horse who Nicky Henderson hopes can reach the top, makes his debut over fences at Warwick on Wednesday.

Winner of Haydock’s Grade 2 Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle in January, Mister Fisher went on to finish eighth behind Klassical Dream in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Henderson, who won the race 12 months ago with 1-2 favourite Pacific De Baune, believes Mister Fisher will show significant improvement this season for tackling fences, and reports that he has schooled well.

“I’ve always regarded him highly,” he said. "He jumps well at home. I had to split three of my novices in this race with Angels Breath and Birchdale going to Ascot instead on Friday.

"It's going to be very soft ground which is not ideal."

The five-year-old faces no straightforward introduction as Lisp and Torpillo are rated 1lb superior to him over hurdles.

Alan King: looking forward to running LispCredit: Julian Herbert

Lisp contested some fiercely contested handicaps last term, including when fifth to Ch’tibello in Cheltenham’s County Hurdle.

Trainer Alan King said: “I think he could be quite exciting. Since the day we first schooled him over fences in the spring he’s always been good, and he delighted me last week.

“I’m quite happy to stick to two miles with him and he’s one I’m really looking forward to.”

Torpillo graduates to fences after showing improved form over hurdles this autumn, and is sure to enjoy the testing ground.

The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained four-year-old gets 7lb from his four rivals which will make him an interesting proposition for punters.

Impressive five-length winner of a Class 2 handicap hurdle at Chepstow last month off a mark of 137, he lost nothing in defeat when third to Quel Destin at Cheltenham most recently. Sam Twiston-Davies rides him for the first time.

Dan Skelton’s Not That Fuisse, runner-up to Al Dancer last time out at Cheltenham, and the Sarah-Jayne Davis-trained Geneva Barracks complete the field.

Read exclusive previews from 6pm daily on racingpost.com and the Racing Post mobile app