'I don't think he does pressure' - Bowen steps up as Henderson runners star

Saturday: Newbury

A fruitful day did not result in Nicky Henderson getting carried away with talk of becoming champion trainer, but he reiterated his claims James Bowen would be champion jockey one day.

His comment came after Bowen's effort on First Street in the Coral-sponsored race better known as the Gerry Feilden.

Henderson, like many in the sport, was blown away by what his wonder inmate Constitution Hill did under Nico de Boinville in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle, but the stable jockey's participation there meant a fine book of rides for Bowen, the de facto second rider at Seven Barrows, who would have claims to be number one at most other yards.

They included Luccia, who won the Listed mares' novice hurdle, and First Street, who was embellishing Henderson's fine record in the intermediate handicap.

"Of course, James has taken his opportunity, but everyone knows what I think of him," he said. "I don't think he does pressure.

"He's got a bit of Constitution Hill's laid-back manner in him and is a cool customer. He would have had Mister Coffey and Walking On Air here today too, but they didn't run because of the ground, although there's nothing wrong with conditions and Newbury have done a marvellous job.

"James gave Luccia and First Street peaches and they might be good horses, but he's top class. He'll be champion one day and that's not the first time I've said that."

With regard his own trainers' title claims, Henderson added: "We won't worry about that. We just want to keep our feet on the ground and let it wander on, but we're very lucky there are a lot of nice horses on the place."

Luccia is all class on her hurdling debutCredit: Edward Whitaker

Luccia just lovely

Paul Sandy was gobsmacked by Paddy Power's rapid response to the Listed mares' novice hurdle, which his Luccia won by a commanding five and a half lengths.

That performance resulted in the layer making her 4-1 (from 7) for the Mares Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, something Sandy was struggling to come to terms with.

"Really?" said the owner-breeder, who raced Luccia's classy dam Earth Amber. "It's exciting. I told James Bowen, who rode her, that Nico [de Boinville] won by 17 lengths on her last time, so 15 lengths would do. When he came in, I said, 'I told you 15 lengths!'"

Henderson was also impressed, but recounted when Luccia nearly died in the spring. "She came close to losing her life and I rang Paul to tell him we might have to put her down," he said of a stifle problem that seems behind Luccia now.

"She had a good summer at David and Juliet Minton's and it never seemed to affect her, and it didn't worry her when we started jumping, so, touch wood, it's okay."

Just Fab

Paul Nicholls had no owners to share McFabulous's success in the Coral-backed John Francome Novices' Chase after telling them earlier in the week the horse would not run.

A late change of plan ended with the champion trainer winning the Grade 2 contest for the fourth time in the last decade.

Nicholls had originally planned to run stablemate Gelino Bello but with good ground in the offing, he made a late substitution and was delighted with the jumping of McFabulous, who beat Grade 1-winning hurdler Thyme Hill by six and a half lengths.

McFabulous: impressive Newbury winner will head to Kempton on Boxing Day nextCredit: Mark Cranham

"Harry Cobden said that's the best he's ever felt," said a chuffed Nicholls. "We've had a few little niggly issues with him a couple of times, and he actually fractured a bone in his withers last year, which meant we couldn't go chasing, but it was probably the best thing that ever happened."

Setting out to make all, the 2-1 second favourite was joined by Thyme Hill at the cross fence but McFabulous put in four foot-perfect leaps down the home straight to brush aside the odds-on favourite.

"He couldn't have done it any easier really," added Nicholls. "He was always going to be a chaser and he's going to be running in good races for a couple of years now – with a bit of luck.

"I'm thrilled with that and he'll go to the Kauto Star at Kempton on Boxing Day now."

Not even Nicholls, whose yard has not missed a beat this autumn, could predict 20-1 shot Red Risk winning but the Middleham Park Racing-owned seven-year-old came out well on top in the 2m4½f handicap hurdle.

Nicholls put it down to the winner being best when fresh and did not rule out heading straight for the Coral Cup in March.

There was a sad postscript to the race with Grade 1-winning hurdler Porticello suffering a fatal injury when falling at the last.

Fur Peter's sake: Nicky Henderson wearing Sir Peter O'Sullevan's winter hatCredit: Edward Whitaker

O'Sullevan tribute

Zanza destroyed his rivals in the Sir Peter O'Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase, but they did not include the Nicky Henderson-trained Mister Coffey, a non-runner because of the ground.

Henderson sported a hat that belonged to the legendary broadcaster and was happy to play his part on the day, even if Mister Coffey did not.

"This hat would be familiar," he said. "I'm not going to take up commentating, but this was Sir Peter O'Sullevan's winter hat. It's his memorial race today and I promised Mike Dillon, who was a close friend of Sir Peter's, I would wear it today."

Results, replays and analysis

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