One race the Seven Barrows-based coach has but to win is the Grand Nationwide, a contest he will likely be determined to prevail in earlier than he retires. It has been 42 years now since Henderson had his first runner on this planet’s most well-known steeplechase. In 1979 he saddled Zongolero, who completed second behind Rubustic, the closest he has gone to the winner’s trophy.
Given what he has achieved over fences, it’s no shock that the handicapper has handed Santini the joint-highest weight of 11st 10lb within the Grand Nationwide this yr. No horse has received with that weight since Pink Rum was profitable in 1974 with 12st.
Santini is about to have one other shot on the Cheltenham Gold Cup earlier than he seems at Aintree a month later. He has but to leap the Grand Nationwide fences on the Merseyside Racecourse.
Okay Corral And Pym Additionally In The Grand Nationwide Combine
Henderson can also be more likely to be represented within the Aintree contest by OK Corral and Pym. These two horses are inside the highest 40 rankings on the newest declaration stage they usually have odds of 33/1 and 50/1 respectively with the bookmakers.
With three wins from six outings, OK Corral has a wonderful report over fences. Henderson did spotlight the Grand Nationwide as a goal earlier this season. His proprietor J.P McManus famously received the race in 2010 with Don’t Push It and he’d like to have one other success.
Pym can also be a Listed winner this season as he prevailed at Sandown the place he made throughout 3m. He has not appeared since ending fifth of 10 runners at Newcastle again in November. The handicapper dropped him right down to a mark of 153 on the again of that run.
Henderson has acknowledged he believes Pym has the stamina to do very well within the contest at Aintree in April. He’s additionally very proud of the burden his horse has been given.
If he can get his arms on the Grand Nationwide trophy this season, it can really feel like Henderson has accomplished the total set of huge race wins all through his illustrious profession.