Hello, pilgrims. I’m sure the question everyone is asking themselves, re tomorrow’s racing, is ‘how many, I say how many, winners will that good egg, Lieutenant Henderson, have at Newbury???’ It’s a fair poser, people, as the Lieutenant will have 7 in his trench and goes into battle therefore with a decent squad. But how many will fire??? How many will be victorious, prove to be happy and glorious??? I’ve decided to have a look in order to provide my answer to the original quest.
1.20 Off 115 Percy Street is one of Mr Henderson’s lesser lights and he is yet to win in 8 attempts over hurdles (has a chase success to his name though). For a 0-120 this heat does look stronger than the norm and you would have to conclude that Percy Street would be up against it.
1.50 The Lieutenant fields 2 - Ok Corral and Whatswrongwithyou. I’ve long been an admirer of the former but a succession of injuries have restricted the 8YO to just one run over hurdles thus far. OK Corral was a comfortable 12 length winner though on that hurdles debut, back in May ’17, and despite having to concede a 6 lbs penalty all round, here, would be my idea of the most likely winner before then going on to, hopefully, compete at Graded level. The other named runner (Whatswrongwithyou) has also just had the one run over hurdles but that was a fair 2nd to a horse who has since been placed at Listed level. He is a worthy adversary. I’d side with OK Corral though.
2.25 and 3.00 The Lieutenant has no runners so it’s off to the ‘Owners and Trainers Bar’ for some bonhomie and light refreshment.
3.30 An intriguing ‘mares novice hurdle’ sees Lieutenant Henderson field 2 – Kupatana and Loveherandleaveher (not a lovely name for a mare and hardly appropriate for a chap who has recently gone down the aisle). Both mares make their hurdling bows in this contest although both, it should be referenced, have won in the old pointing field. You would be guessing as to which was the best, at this stage, but no-one handles a mare as well as the Lieutenant (they respond so well to his ‘magic hands’ and soothing words, don’t you know) and I’m predicting he will win the heat with one of his ‘dynamic duo’.
4.05 The great man is two handed again in the ‘lucky last’ with the unraced pair Morning Vicar and what I’d give the Lieutenant if I was PM, Knighthood. In fact Knighthood would be my choice as he’s a lineage that appeals. His dam was a Listed winner and she also finished runner-up in the Italian 1,000 Guineas whilst to date 3 of her foals have similarly won at Listed level. If Knighthood is a similar class then this 55,000 guineas purchase really should prove too good. Morning Vicar commands respect though and this Beneficial gelding would be the danger.
In conclusion the answer is I think Lieutenant Henderson will have 3 winners at Newbury tomorrow with the ones that I’m most looking forward to seeing run being Ok Corral and Knighthood. Thoughts, people?!?
