'Of course it's a relief' - Henderson given pre-Cheltenham Festival form boost

Saturday: Sandown

Nicky Henderson played down his recent barren spell this week but he still admitted to feeling just a hint of relief after Luccia won the Listed mares' bumper to end the yard's 20-day wait for a winner.

The four-year-old received an allowance but carried an extra weight of expectation after her stablemate Balco Coastal was pulled up in the Imperial Cup, while Surrey Quest was seventh in the EBF Final.

"Of course it's a relief," said the trainer, who is preparing to send many of his leading lights to next week's Cheltenham Festival. "It's nice to finish the week knowing what's good is still good. We've not had many runners in the last few weeks but you do worry a bit."

The trainer was given no need to worry by Luccia, who accelerated 17 lengths clear of Eabha Grace under Nico de Boinville to set up a tilt at next month's Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares' bumper at Aintree. Her long-term target will be Cheltenham's mares' novice hurdle.

"She was impressive," added Henderson, who then sealed a welcome double when City Chief won at Hereford. "I said to her owner there's a nice novice hurdle for her in a week's time and before I could add in a year's time he thought I was planning to run her next week.

"We knew we had a good chance but then Milton [Harris] opted to run Mullenbeg here rather than at Cheltenham and it rained last night, which made the ground horrible, but it didn't bother her."

Landmark victory

Lorcan Williams punched the air after his first Graded success aboard Complete Unknown in the EBF Final for in-form trainer Paul Nicholls.

There was perhaps a sense of relief for the conditional jockey, who survived a mistake at the final flight and scored by three lengths. He made the most of his opportunity after Harry Cobden was switched to ride Knappers Hill, who was almost withdrawn due to the ground.

Complete Unknown: survived an error at the last to score at SandownCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

"It's good to give Lorcan a chance like that," said Nicholls. "He didn't have a ride until we decided to run the two and Harry switched to ride Knappers. He's waited for opportunities and always gets it right.

"I've apologised to Harry as I got it completely wrong. We were in two minds right up to the race and the ground went against him."

On the winner, Nicholls added: "Megan [Nicholls] actually bought him with Tom Malone, so full marks to them for picking him. I don't know how he was beaten at Ascot last time. He's really progressive."

Cobden gained consolation in the 2m4f handicap chase with victory aboard the Robert Walford-trained Foxboro.

In-form Harris

Trainer Milton Harris recorded his fourth strike of the week when Hasty Parisian ran out a comfortable winner of the juvenile hurdle.

The four-year-old is part-owned by 92-year-old Ruth Nelmes and won convincingly by eight and a half lengths on the birthday of her late husband Norman, who was a longstanding owner with Harris.

"He comes from a proper family, without being stars," said Harris. "He'll want to go further and could end up being rated in the 120s."

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