Is First Street the one? Nicky Henderson bids to enhance Gerry Feilden record

Saturday: 2.30 Newbury
Coral Bet Bundles Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (registered as the Gerry Feilden) | 2m½f | 4yo+ | ITV3/RTV

Nicky Henderson has saddled 12 runners in this race in the last ten years – four won, four were placed and among the winners was Epatante, who went on to land the Champion Hurdle.

There probably aren’t any Champion Hurdle contenders in this year’s running, but topweight First Street finished second to one when chasing home State Man in the County Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. Henderson tried First Street in Grade 1 company on the back of that.

First Street was unable to emulate subsequent top-level winner State Man when only fifth behind stablemate Jonbon in the Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree, but a lot of horses who competed in the County Hurdle were below form on their next run and it was a gruelling race that left its mark.

Henderson has had time to get First Street back to his best and all four of the stable’s recent winners were making their seasonal reappearance. That points to First Street being ready to go on his return from 232 days off the track and a repeat of his Cheltenham run might be enough.

Pikar competed in Graded company as a novice last season and probably didn’t have to match the form of his fifth behind Jonbon at Haydock in January when landing a novice on his seasonal reappearance at Chepstow last month. He starts in handicaps off a mark of 127.

The worry for supporters of Pikar is that he doesn’t come here fresh. This decade, Dan Skelton has a better strike-rate (22 per cent) with runners coming off layoffs of 150 days or more than he does with those who ran more recently (seven per cent) in £25,000-plus races.

The trainer also has Boombawn, who ran just 18 days ago, and Skelton, Henderson and Gary Moore have six of the eight runners between them. Teddy Blue looks to be Moore’s big hope.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

Teddy ready after 'big confidence booster'

Gary Moore claimed two big hurdle pots last Saturday with Goshen and Botox Has and the in-form trainer is double-handed as he looks to scoop another in the race registered as the Gerry Feilden.

Teddy Blue was soundly beaten in last season's Triumph Hurdle and needs to reverse Kempton form with Boombawn, but he had a confidence-boosting win at Fontwell last time when bolting up by 20 lengths.

Moore's team is operating at a 20 per cent strike-rate in the last fortnight and he said: "Teddy Blue is in great order. He got a big confidence booster at Fontwell and fingers crossed he can improve on that here. The yard being in such good form just makes everything better."

Yorksea is the yard's other representative and Moore added: "Yorksea is fine after his break. He’ll probably benefit from the run, more so than Teddy Blue, but he could take his chance in this one."

What they say

Nicky Henderson, trainer of First Street and Theatre Glory
This has been the plan for First Street for a while and he had a blowout in a racecourse gallop at Newbury last week. He's got a lot of weight but had some smart form in big handicaps last season. Theatre Glory was a star last term too and progressed really well. Ultimately, she might want a little further, but we might get away with it.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Boombawn and Pikar
Pikar has really come on from last season. I was very pleased with his run at Chepstow, so he should be in with a chance. Boombawn is a progressive type. He’s done well on his two starts this season and I think he could be a decent each-way chance.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Grivetana
She ran well on her return and will have definitely improved for it. She'll like the good ground and is a massive each-way price. I think she'll run well.
Reporting by Lola Katz Roberts

Saturday's race previews:

1.20 Newbury: 'He's the ideal horse for it' - can Kapcorse strike again for Paul Nicholls?

1.55 Newbury: can West Balboa keep Walking On Air grounded in this competitive handicap?

2.10 Newcastle: 'I hope it's not a tactical affair' - Constitution Hill ready for Fighting Fifth

3.05 Newbury: 'He's come on a treat for the run' - key trainer quotes for 2022 Coral Gold Cup

3.25 Newcastle: L'Homme Presse the star turn in Rehearsal - analysis and key quotes

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