Henderson's top prospect Dusart 'doing everything right' ahead of chasing debut
Wednesday: 1.50 Leicester
Pertemps Network Novices' Chase | 2m6½f | 5yo+ | RTV
Nicky Henderson has already proved his strength in the novice hurdling department but on Wednesday Dusart will look to put his name among the likes of Jonbon and Constitution Hill as top young prospects in the Seven Barrows ranks.
A half-brother to the brilliant Simonsig, he showed a high level of talent in his own right when bolting up on debut at Newbury, beating Soaring Glory, who went on to win the Betfair Hurdle at the track a few months later.
Dusart was then thrown into Grade 1 company and sent off favourite for the Top Novices' Hurdle at Aintree. He finished a respectable third but left the impression he would improve over a longer trip and for the switch to chasing.
Henderson believes the three-runner 2m6½f novice chase is the right race for Dusart, whose price for the Turners Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival is as low as 14-1.
"It'll be good to see him back again and we're hoping for the best," Henderson said. "We always said we'd go chasing, so we thought we'd get on with it.
"He's up in trip but on reflection we should've run over two and a half miles at Aintree. The two miles was blatantly far too sharp for him.
"This is a new race that they put on and with the decent ground too the conditions should suit him. We need to get him out and it'll be a good experience. He's done everything right so far."
Dusart is 6lb better than his two rivals, Sail Away for Dan Skelton and the David Bridgwater-trained Barnaviddaun.
New Sky Bet customers can get £20 in free bets. New customers only. First single & e/w bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 2 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non-withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions. Further T&Cs apply. 18+. begambleaware.org.
inPreviews
- 7.07 Sandown: 'The trip will really suit him' - is a new staying star about to emerge in the Henry II Stakes?
- 6.37 Sandown: 'He should have a big chance' - can the Hannon yard add to outstanding record in National Stakes?
- 7.37 Sandown: 'This is not the be-all and end-all' - will hot favourite Royal Rhyme see off his Brigadier Gerard Stakes rivals?
- 8.12 Sandown: 'The idea is for this and then Royal Ascot' - Heron contenders on trial for big-thinking connections
- 3.20 Ayr: 'He won't be sending her up there for no reason' - Red Danielle could be the answer to competitive Listed race
- 7.07 Sandown: 'The trip will really suit him' - is a new staying star about to emerge in the Henry II Stakes?
- 6.37 Sandown: 'He should have a big chance' - can the Hannon yard add to outstanding record in National Stakes?
- 7.37 Sandown: 'This is not the be-all and end-all' - will hot favourite Royal Rhyme see off his Brigadier Gerard Stakes rivals?
- 8.12 Sandown: 'The idea is for this and then Royal Ascot' - Heron contenders on trial for big-thinking connections
- 3.20 Ayr: 'He won't be sending her up there for no reason' - Red Danielle could be the answer to competitive Listed race