Dont miss Unibet ambassador Nico de Boinville’s latest column as he talks through his Saturday rides at Newbury
Nico de Boinville talks about his Ladbrokes Trophy Chase ride on Coneygree, wedding news and his remaining chances for Newbury's high-profile Saturday card.
"Read the thoughts of four-time Champion Trainer Nicky Henderson and stable jockey Nico de Boinville exclusively at Unibet each week throughout the Jump Season. Unibet are an award-winning sports betting and casino operator with over 16 million customers, and proud sponsors of the Unibet Champion Hurdle, The Irish Gold Cup and betting partner of the Investec Derby."
THE winter chills were certainly biting at Newbury yesterday but a couple of really good winners warmed me up.
I absolutely hate the cold. I wrap up as much as I can but if I’m on a light weight you just have to suffer.
Once you’re out there on the horse it’s fine. It’s walking out into the cold air and standing in the paddock that is bitter.
Luckily Coneygree has top weight so I can put my heavyweight breeches on with tights underneath and layer up.
It will be great to be back on my Gold Cup winner (3.00) in the Ladbrokes Trophy after his Wetherby non-event.
I had to pull him up in the Charlie Hall but I’m putting his mistake down to the sun casting a shadow on the fence – he just misjudged it.
He’s usually a fantastic jumper and he’s carrying top weight for a reason.
I’ve been doing a lot of schooling on him and he feels great. The over-reach he suffered at Wetherby has healed nicely.
He came for a racecourse gallop round here the other week when David Bass rode him as I was at Southwell. I think he spent half the day trying to get the ride on him.
If he puts Wetherby behind him – which hopefully he’s done – he should run a big race.
If he could reproduce the form of his third to Sizing John at Punchestown in the spring I’d be hopeful he would go very close.
The Bradstocks like him to make the running so I guess we’ll be bouncing up there.
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Earlier in the day I’m on Gold Present (1.20). He’s only had five runs over fences and he was shaping up to be a really nice novice last year.
His second behind Tully East at the Cheltenham Festival was a really good run - unfortunately he came a cropper in the Topham over the National fences.
I think he’ll continue to progress this season – there’s a lot more to come.
I’ve not ridden him before but I’ve schooled him and ridden him in work – he seems in good order.
He’s been ready for the last couple of weeks, we’ve just been waiting for the right race for him. He’s good to go.
Maestro Royal (1.50) ran well the other day at Kempton. He needed the run – he just took a blow and ran on again – so he’ll come on for that.
I won on him at Newbury last March and he’s been running over today’s longer trip. Hopefully he’ll be competitive.
Theinval (3.35) is in with a shout. He was very unfortunate to fall at the first in the BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham last time but he ran some good races last year.
He wouldn’t want the ground too slow but he’s tough and he’ll have been freshened up by his break.
You might have read I got engaged this week to Serena – ex-jockey Ed Cookson’s sister.
News leaked out in the same week it was revealed there was going to be another high-profile wedding next year.
I rode a nice winner for the Queen at Taunton on Thursday so that should help pay for the Royal one and I can exclusively reveal mine won’t be at Windsor Castle.