‘He’s right up there with our best novices’ – can Henri The Second come first?

Henri The Second: will bid to emulate his half-brother Enrilo by winning the Winter Novices’ Hurdle

Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Friday: 2.20 SandownBallymore Winter Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) | 2m4f | 4yo+ | RTV

This race has produced a slew of Grade 1 performers since 1987, including winners of the Stayers’ Hurdle, Gold Cup and Grand National.

Success here usually indicates a penchant for a proper staying test further down the line and outstanding hurdler Inglis Drever was certainly no exception in 2003.

His victory came in between the wins of two Paul Nicholls-trained stars in See More Business (1995) and Neptune Collonges (2005), with the pair making up half of Ditcheat’s four successes in the race.

The 13-time champion trainer scored most recently with Enrilo in 2019 and he will be hoping his Listed bumper-winning half-brother Henri The Second can improve on a promising hurdling debut at Chepstow.

Henri The Second: compares favourably with Ditcheat’s best novice hurdlers

Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Four-year-olds have won three of the last seven runnings and Man At Work is his generation’s sole representative this time around. He fell in his only point-to-point but created a favourable impression on his rules debut at Aintree.

The gap to the third-placed Henry’s Friend was six and a quarter lengths but that rival receives a 7lb pull at the weights now, so expect him to put in an improved effort.

Their biggest danger could be the proven stayer Maximilian, who gave the 140-rated chaser Dr Kananga 6lb and a comprehensive beating over 2m7f at Bangor last month.

That rival is sure to be much sharper for Saturday’s Becher Chase but it was nevertheless a bold effort from Maximilian, who is unbeaten in a point-to-point, two bumpers and two novice hurdles.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Henri The SecondHe’s in good shape and taken a step forward since his run at Chepstow, both experience and fitness-wise. He was a bit green jumping and he might have been better if we’d made a bit more use of him. He’s right up there with the best of our novices and he’s going to keep improving. His half-brother won the race and we’re hoping he’ll run well.

Ben Pauling, trainer of Henry’s FriendHe was carrying a penalty behind Man At Work at Aintree and he needed the race as he took a blow between the last two flights. He’s got a rating of 120 but I thought it looked quite an open race so I’d like to think he’ll go close.

Chris Gordon, trainer of I’d Like To KnowI had him entered at Newbury but the ground would have been too quick. I want to mind him for chasing next season and it was going to be tough going somewhere with a penalty. He’s a lovely big horse and it’s nice ground and great prize-money.

David Pipe, trainer of Man At WorkIt was a very nice performance at Aintree. He’s one we like and obviously he’s got to improve again but he seems to have come out of the race well. Hopefully he’s a lovely youngster and is going to develop into a nice horse. He’s got a very good brain, nothing seems to faze him, which will stand him in good stead.

Maximilian: stayed well when winning at Bangor last time

John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Brian Hughes, rider of MaximilianHe’s improved with every run and on paper he’s got a great chance. Bangor was a good test and the track and ground should suit. He only does what you ask of him but he feels well at home and looks a million dollars.

Jamie Snowden, trainer of Park This OneHe’s a little dude, all he does is win. The figures aren’t quite what some of the others might have achieved but he’s not done much wrong. He’s a tough, hardy individual. I think he’s improved and he deserves a crack at it.

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FIRST PUBLISHED 6:00PM, DEC 1 2022