Nicky Henderson has warned Supreme Novices’ Hurdle favourite Jeriko Du Reponet needs another run before the Cheltenham Festival.
The JP McManus-owned gelding took his record under rules to two from two when winning in style at Newbury on Saturday.
However, despite being impressed by what he has seen so far from the high-class prospect, he will need to see the racecourse again before March, according to the Seven Barrows handler.
“Jeriko was fantastic, I thought he was special,” said Henderson.
“We rode a horse who is a real good galloper for speed and he actually beat speed horses. I thought he was fantastic. He waltzed away from them and he will gallop forever.
“He’ll have to have another run before Cheltenham and if he doesn’t run before then, he won’t run at Cheltenham.”
One option available is Haydock’s Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle, which Henderson won with Jonbon two seasons ago, while Kempton’s Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle could be another route to Prestbury Park available to the five-year-old.
Henderson added: “It’s not where I would like to go (Haydock) but there isn’t too much else. Kempton would be very close, so I don’t know – someone put a race on somewhere!”
Henderson is still coming to terms with Shishkin’s dramatic exit from the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day.
The multiple Grade One winner was going strongly in front when he slipped after jumping two out, unshipping Nico de Boinville.
“He’s got a very sore splint and I’m thinking we’re trying to hesitate a reason for doing what he did,” said Henderson.
“He gave himself a right whack on his off-fore, where a splint which was probably already there has become very sore. He’s not lame but very sore.
“If he clonked that in mid-air or whatever, he would have landed going ‘ahhhhhhh’. But you can’t land on one leg and pick the other one up.
“We’ve got the splint itself to settle down and the soreness will come out of it, but if you do touch it, he is very, very sore, the poor old boy.
“It just means I think I know what happened, but what does it matter what happened. He tripped over at the end of the day, why he did it doesn’t even matter.
“I have no idea where he will race next, we will let the dust settle, no one has even thought about it.”
Henderson also had news of Willmount, who lost his unbeaten record in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury.
The trainer said: “He’s fine. I don’t think it was the ground. There’s a few things we might check out before we decide what we do next, but it’s not an easy thing to check out on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, because the men you want to try to find these things out (are busy), unlike me last night, who was fast asleep.”
Supreme Ventures Racing urges review of racing rule after Caymanas Park abandonments
Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL), operators of Caymanas Park, have called for a review of Rule 44 (iii) enforced by the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) following the cancellation of two races during the April 27 race meet at Caymanas Park.
In a press conference on Monday addressing the abandoned races, SVREL Executive Chairman Solomon Sharpe expressed frustration with the rule, highlighting its potential impact on the racing industry.
"This rule, unique to Jamaica, imposes a strict five-minute limit after the published post time for races at Caymanas Park," Sharpe stated. "It fails to account for various factors that can delay race starts and penalizes all stakeholders when races are abandoned, affecting punters, jockeys, grooms, trainers, owners, promoters, and the government."
Last year, Caymanas Park contributed over $260 million in combined taxes to the government's coffers. Sharpe urged the JRC to engage SVREL in discussions on Rule 44, emphasizing the need for constructive dialogue to address the rule's impact.
"We were not consulted during the initial discussions on this rule, and now, with two races abandoned in a single race day, our concerns have materialized," Sharpe explained. "SVREL is open to collaborating with the JRC to review and refine this amended rule."
Representatives from the Grooms Association, Jockeys Association, and the United Racehorse Trainers Association echoed SVREL's concerns and supported the call for a review of Rule 44.
Sharpe concluded by appealing to regulators, stakeholders, and the public to support the growth of the horseracing industry in Jamaica. "Horseracing has immense potential in Jamaica and can become a significant foreign exchange earner. Realizing this potential requires collaboration among all stakeholders."
SVREL has been operating Caymanas Park since March 2017 after the government divested the property. With investments exceeding J$4 billion in product enhancements and innovations like the Mouttet Mile, which boasts the largest purse in the English-speaking Caribbean, SVREL remains committed to advancing the horseracing experience in Jamaica.
Supreme Ventures Racing regrets abandonment of two races at Caymanas Park on Saturday
Supreme Ventures Racing & Entertainment Limited (SVREL) has expressed regret and disappointment following the abandonment of two races during the Saturday, April 27 race day at Caymanas Park in St Catherine, Jamaica.
The decision to abandon these races, SVREL said, was made in compliance with regulations set forth by the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC), leading to the refund of all related pools according to SVREL's Pari-mutuel rules.
According to the statement released by SVREL late Saturday, the abandonment of races number one and six, respectively, was declared by the stewards of the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) due to delays that exceeded the permitted time frame as stipulated by Rule 44(iii).
Specifically, in race number one, scheduled to commence at 12:00 pm, a saddling issue with horse number five and a mandatory veterinary check for horse number eight, which reared and fell after exiting the saddling barn, resulted in delays beyond the allowable limit.
Similarly, race number six, slated for 3:10 pm, was delayed due to a horse running loose, ultimately leading to its abandonment by the stewards of the JRC.
SVREL explained that the recent amendments to Rule 44(iii), which came into effect from April 1, 2024, mandate strict adherence to race start times with a maximum allowance of five minutes after the published post time. SVREL noted that Jamaica is unique in enforcing such a rule without prior consultation with the sole promoter of horseracing in Jamaica.
The enforcement of this rule has led to financial losses for industry stakeholders, including owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms, punters, and the promoter and as such the disruption caused by the abandonment of these races understandably resulted in unrest among stakeholder groups.
Despite the challenges faced, the race meet resumed with race number seven at approximately 4:00 pm, SVREL noted.
SVREL has now issued a sincere apology to valued customers and stakeholders for the inconvenience caused by the abandonment of races one and six by the JRC. SVREL also emphasized its readiness for open dialogue with the JRC and all impacted stakeholders to ensure the continued success and integrity of the horseracing industry.
As the sole promoter of horseracing in Jamaica, SVREL said it remains committed to addressing challenges collaboratively and upholding the highest standards of professionalism and service within the industry.
Light seeking to shine again at Sandown
Kitty’s Light is taking aim at his usual season finisher in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.
The gelding has been a star for trainer Christian Williams, winning big handicap events like the Eider Chase and the Scottish Grand National and going close in the Charlie Hall and the Coral Trophy.
He has particularly good record in the bet365 Gold Cup on the final day of the season, missing out only due to interference when second in 2021 and coming home third in 2022.
Last year he was completed the set of podium finishes when winning by two and a half lengths under usual jockey Jack Tudor.
The two are well acquainted and teamed up for Kitty’s Light’s Grand National bid at Aintree earlier in the month, where he ran a valiant race to finish fifth behind four Grade-One winning Irish chasers.
Williams was incredibly proud of his stable star and is now hoping the gelding can shine again in the Sandown contest he has found to be lucrative in the past.
“It was wonderful, we trained him to win the race and we thought he could, but you couldn’t be disappointed with what he did,” Williams said of the National performance.
“We were thrilled, the horse tried his best and we were very, very proud of horse and jockey.
“He’s come out of it very well, if the race was run today even then he’d be running, he’s in good form.
“He loves it at Sandown with the big fences, his jumping has come on now but even as a five-year-old he nearly won the race.
“He was third the year after that, it really seems to suit him.
“I think he likes going right-handed, he hangs a little bit right at home and he seems to really enjoy it there.
“We’re taking our chance anyway, he seems well and we’ll hope for the best.”
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