Cheltenham Festival: Apple’s Shakira bids to give Nicky Henderson a record seventh Triumph Hurdle
Apple's Shakira, a three-time winner at Cheltenham this season, appears to have an outstanding chance for Nicky Henderson in the JCB Triumph Hurdle.
NICKY HENDERSON has a good chance of securing of recording a seventh win in the JCB Triumph Hurdle with Apple's Shakira on Friday at Cheltenham.
A full sister to Apple's Jade, the JP McManus-owned four-year-old appears to hold strong claims to go one better than her talented sibling in the juvenile championship and in the process, win a fourth race at Cheltenham this season.
Seven Barrows handler Henderson won his first Triumph hurdle 33 years ago with First Bout, with the most recent of his six successes coming in 2015 with Peace And Co.
Henderson said: "She is great and she has been a lovely filly. She doesn't know there is another racecourse apart from Cheltenham.
"She won one race in France, which was hardly a Triumph Hurdle trial or anything, and she is very lazy at home.
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"I did, however, enquire into Apple's Jade and what she was like, and they told me that she doesn't do a tap at home so that was all I wanted to hear."
The JP McManus-owned filly was made to work a little harder than many expected on her latest appearance in late January, but Henderson feels the race was vital in her education.
"She has learnt to race and Barry (Geraghty) has been at pains to ensure that she has learned how to race," he added.
"He has held her up in behind horses and last time, he jumped the second-last and didn't necessarily take a pull, but left her with some work to do. She came right away up the hill - the further she went, the better she was.
"She gets the allowance, she comes here unbeaten and I couldn't be happier with her."
Alan King, who also had a decent record in the race with a pair of victories, provides another good hope for the home team in Adonis Hurlde winner Redicean.
King said: "He has shown plenty of gears at home and on the track, so in that respect he reminds me a little bit of Penzance.
"I've not deliberately gone to Kempton every time, it was just how things panned out.
"He got a mile and six (furlongs) on the Flat at Redcar so I don't think stamina is an issue.
Templegate's top tips for Cheltenham
1.30 Cheltenham - Terrefort: 'He's impressed me and his Scilly Isles Chase win was class'
2.10 Cheltenham - Kansas City Chief: 'The cheekpieces have sparked him back into life'
2.50 Cheltenham - Un De Sceaux: 'Today's ground will suit and he looks banker material'
3.30 Cheltenham - Wholestone: 'Saves his best for this track and looks overpriced'
4.10 Cheltenham - Mercian Prince: 'Everything should setup well for him in this race'
4.50 Cheltenham - Laurina: 'She looks another really smart prospect for Mullins'
5.30 Cheltenham - Pendra: 'Should have won last year and can go one better'
"I'd love to have seen better ground as I do think he is better on that. I think the more testing it is, the more it will favour Apple's Shakira.
"We are happy and I've no issue with the fact he has not been round the course."
Willie Mullins has only had one win in the race with Scolardy in 2002. He launches a four-pronged assault this year, headed by Spring Juvenile Hurdle winner Mr Adjudicator.
Stormy Ireland, Saldier and Sayo completed the quartet for the Irish champion trainer.
Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father, said: "Stormy Ireland produced a huge performance in Fairyhouse and although that's her only run for us, she has plenty of experience from running in France. She's in good form and we're very happy with her.
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"Mr Adjudicator has the best form and has travelled over well. He is an ex-Flat horse, though, so you would just wonder about how he'll handle the ground.
"Saldier won very well in Gowran. He obviously doesn't have much experience, but I just wonder whether the ground will help the less experienced horses like him.
"Sayo won in Naas despite not getting a clear run and we hope he can run well, too."
Gordon Elliott's Farclas, Gary Moore's Sussex Ranger and Gumball from the Philip Hobbs yard complete the nine-runner field.
