Relief for Henderson as Chantry House proves too good on first chase start

Nicky Henderson felt he took a risk with Chantry House on his chasing debut but after watching his Supreme Novices’ Hurdle third record a smooth success he was able to breathe a sigh of relief.

“You have to be really sure of your horse when you come here first time and it’s not something I always like doing,” the champion trainer said. “But his schooling had been good and he was good. He won’t need to do that again and he learnt a lot today.”

While ultimately a comfortable winner for jockey Nico de Boinville and owner JP McManus, helped by the fall of main rival Pic D’Orhy at the third-last fence, Chantry House was on and off the bridle on occasions and only came into his own on the uphill run to the finish.