For me one of the highlights of this NH season is going to be the battle for the ‘Trainers Championship’ as the sports leading lights battle it out for the crown. Mr Nicholls has won the title for the past 6 terms but this one promises to be closer than any of those. Last season the Ditcheat handler finished just over £200,000 in front of Mr Henderson but the latter heads into this campaign with unquestionably his strongest ever group of horses. Mr Henderson has in his ranks several animals who can be expected, in the absence of injury, to contribute 6 figured sums to his total and these would include such equine luminaries as Binocular, Bobs Worth, Burton Port, Finian’s Rainbow, Long Run, Mossley, Oscar Whiskey, Riverside Theatre, Spirit Son and Sprinter Sacre. Similarly, this squad is backed up by handicappers, promising novices and well-bred unraced types who can all be expected to add more loot to the old kitty. Despite this though the strength of Mr Nicholls' team will be Strong with a capital 'S' and, although the earning potential of the likes of Kauto Star, Denman and Neptune Collonges may have diminished, new recruits and rising stars will ensure a bumper season, as usual, for the title holder. Another reason why this ‘tussle’ should be savoured is because you can guarantee that it will be contested in the very best of spirits, most unlike the majority of other battles in 21st century sport, as both men have a very healthy respect for one another and are keen upholders of both racing’s rules and traditions. Currently Mr Nicholls enjoys a £98k lead, in this season's race, but what we have experienced so far are only the early ‘skirmishes’ with the real action set to unfold from this Saturday with very valuable prizes at both Ascot and Wetherby. In fact a possible intriguing clash is in Royal Berkshire as the potentially useful Sam Winner and Solix are both entered in the same beginners chase. Those bookie chappies see the contest as a ‘2 horse affair’ and bet 5/6 Mr Nicholls, 11/8 Mr Henderson, 20/1 Bar (which brings in Pip Hobbs and Don McCain). I’ve thought long and hard about the outcome and believe that Mr Henderson will cross the old ‘winning line’ in front but certainly not by much. But which one of this pair do the membership believe will triumph??? Or can you see a shock of ‘Foinavon proportions’ and someone else beating the pair of them???
Your right it is a 2 horse race, it would take a small miracle for McCain or Hobbs to mount a serious challenge. I like you admire both trainers , but I would like to see Henderson win, as it has been a while. I actually believe he does have a very slight ammunition advantage. If Long Run can land the KG Gold Cup double again, then I think Henderson would pick up enough winners elsewhere. Nicholls has Big Bucks, and like Long Run for Henderson, he is guaranteed money. but I don't believe the rest will be good enough to compete with Hendersons young talent, the likes of Finains Rainbow, Bobs Worth, Riverside Theatre, Burton Port, Spirit Son and Oscar Whisky should have to much for Nicholls older stars
I don't know who's going to win barney but if you're banking on Binocular to win over £100 k I would be very interested to know which races he's going to accumulate that in.
I don't see Binocular doing alot this season, he was well exposed not just at Aintree but at Punchestown aswell, last season. Oscar Whisky and Spirit Son will be Hendersons Champion Hurdle horses
Thought Oscar Whiskey was headed for the World Hurdle as suggested here. Also agree that Binocular won't be winning 100k this season, unless JP puts up a big prize for a match race between him and the donkey at Southend beach. Champion he won looks very weak form now, Christmas hurdle doesn't look strong and has been exposed since. Not for me at all.
'Those bookie chappies see the contest as a ‘2 horse affair’ and bet 5/6 Mr Nicholls, 11/8 Mr Henderson, 20/1 Bar (which brings in Pip Hobbs and Don McCain).' 5/6 Nicholls has the look of 'buying money' to me.....
Mr Henderson has said that Binocular will be campaigned a lot more ‘aggressively’ this term. I still think of him as a ‘top table’ horse and can see him earning decent money in such contests as the Fighting Fifth, International Hurdle, Christmas Hurdle and then in a Champion Hurdle ‘trial’ prior to Cheltenham and Aintree. I really don’t think £100k is beyond him this term – interestingly he won over £70k, in the UK last season, in a campaign which could be described as ‘indifferent’. Not going to predict that he will reclaim his Champion Hurdle crown but don’t think he will be far away either though. I’d be prepared to write off his efforts at Aintree and Punchestown as he had peaked for the season prior to then and was probobly ‘over the top’ in both races. In 2010/11 he was trained with one race in mind (the Champion Hurdle) but due to those ‘unfortunate circumstances’ was, of course, robbed of his place in the starting line-up. Oscar Whisky looked a revelation when upped to 20 furlongs at Aintree (and earlier at Cheltenham over 21) and would anticipate, at this stage, his long term aim being the ‘World Hurdle’. Have big doubts though about him being able to get anywhere near Big Bucks.
It won't surprise anyone to know that Chippy will be nailing his carpenter's apron to the mast at Ditcheat. However, I have to agre that it will be a closely fought contest. My hunch is that PN will win it through having a better batallion of chasers than Nicky Henderson - of course long Run could be the star of the season again but i feel Nicolls just has more strength in depth in that department. We'll see though. Should be fascinating. Nice thread Barney
Paul Nicholls as recruited some brilliant horses this year, Alot of unexposed hurdlers and chasers the likes of Kauto Stone who could be anything if he adapts to English fences. Big Bucks is guaranteed money, The likes of Zarkandar who I hope wins the Champion Hurdle (I've backed him already at 14/1 straight after his Triumph Hurdle win) theres the likes of Master Minded who if stays will give Long Run something to think about. I would write off his last start as that is clearly not the Master Minded we all know, I am certain the Ditcheat master will get him back springheeled for his next start. Theres Mon Parrain, Al Ferof, Tatantiano (Champion Chase?) I am confident that Paul Nicholls will regain the title at least I hope he does. Nicky the Needle as a great stable but of the few he as Long Run will obviously have to regain the Cheltenham Gold Cup aswell as the King George to give Nicky any chance in the title race, I really don't know what there going to do with Binocular because he isn't up to matching Hurricane Fly over hurdles and was totally destroyed in the Aintree Hurdle by another Henderson horse Oscar Whisky who like King Shergar says looks to be Hendersons best chance of Champion Hurdle glory along with Spirit Son who really impressed Me at Aintree on National day. Its going to be interesting but Nicky really needs Long Run to produce yet again this year to have any chance with Paul Nicholls. The old stalwarts at Ditcheat Kauto and Denman will hopefully be retired at the end of the year, Watching them battle up the hill in the Gold Cup side by side is one of the best moments I have seen in NH racing, To only go down to Long Run was shattering... They owe connections and racing nothing!
