Don’t miss Unibet ambassador Nico de Boinville’s latest column as looks forward to his rides on a big card at Ascot
NICO DE BOINVILLE is thankful that the equine flu stoppage is over and he discusses his weekend rides at Ascot.
"Read the thoughts of five-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."
WHAT a difference a week makes.
It was a bit strange not riding last Saturday and it was great to get going again once we got the all-clear.
I’ve been hearing all the stories of the lads who went off skiing. It sounds like they had a good time and I was a little envious but my wife made sure I wasn’t twiddling my thumbs.
There was plenty to be getting on with and I spent the six days off grafting away.
Luckily it wasn’t that long. Being in limbo scared everyone a bit and I think the BHA did a very good job in getting racing back on so quickly. It’s better to be safe than sorry I suppose.
Unfortunately, some of the horses trained by my boss Nicky Henderson can’t run due to the vaccination rules brought in.
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We’ve got to live by those rules and there’s a lot of us in the same boat. It’s not ideal and we are a bit envious of the ones who are able to race at the moment.
It comes with Cheltenham coming over the horizon but we’re quite capable of giving them racecourse gallops. It should be alright.
I’ve done some miles in the last couple of days. I drove all the way up to Kelso on Thursday. It’s a long old way when you’re in the car on your own but I had Joe Rogan’s podcast to keep me company.
As I was at Fakenham yesterday I stayed overnight and had a nice walk along Holkham Bay in the morning.
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Luckily, I had a winner both days so I’m hoping that will continue at Ascot today.
I liked I Can’t Explain (12.30 Ascot) a lot when I won on him at Sandown on his debut in December. That form worked out really well and we always thought he would benefit from a step up in trip.
He got that last time at Cheltenham but he was a bit disappointing. I just don’t think he handled the undulations on the ground – it was good all round – and he certainly wasn’t the horse we know.
He doesn’t want it too quick but it should fine today being on the soft side. The race has cut up a bit and I like his chances. He’s a nice horse.
I’m looking forward to getting back on my old friend Coneygree (2.10) again. It’s four years since we won the Gold Cup together and a lot of water’s gone under that bridge.
He’s been an amazing horse for me and the Bradstocks and it would be great if he could win.
I schooled him last week and he seemed in really good form. Mark and Sara say he’s in great nick so we’ve got to be hopeful.
He was supposed to run in the Denman Chase last weekend and he’s switched to the handicap today. I think it’s a nice race for him.
He ran a smashing race at Cheltenham in November when he was third for Sean Bowen and he wasn’t totally disgraced in the King George.
I think they’ve made the right call to put him in this handicap and we’ll keep it simple – use the same old tactics of popping him out in front.
I’m looking forward to riding Terrefort (2.45).
Daryl Jacob – who rides for the owners – is elsewhere so I’m fortunate to pick up the ride on him.
He’s has yet to hit the heights of last season when he won the Grade 1 novices’ chase at Aintree but he did run really well behind Frodon at Cheltenham on trials day after a couple of months off last time.
Hopefully he can use that as a stepping stone to a nice run tomorrow. We’re very aware we’ve got to step up to beat Clan Des Obeaux but we’ll give it our best.
You should never think that any horse can’t get beat so we’ll go there in a positive frame of mind.