Chantry House warms up for possible King George tilt with match-race stroll

Sunday: Sandown

It may not have been the test his connections were hoping for but Chantry House passed with flying colours when landing the Future Stars Intermediate Chase by 37 lengths from The Big Breakaway.

The seven-year-old faced only one rival as he took his first steps outside of novice company but he picked up where he left off having won two Grade 1s last season, including at the Cheltenham Festival.

Trainer Nicky Henderson suggested Chantry House could next go for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, for which he was cut to 6-1 (from 7). He was also shortened to 12-1 (from 14) for the Gold Cup in March by Paddy Power.

Watch Chantry House win at Sandown

"I'm glad its over," said Henderson, who shared a post-race debrief with Sir Anthony McCoy. "He's beaten all the novices but it's a step up the next year taking on the big boys. I know everyone will shout about two-horse races but we need this. What else do I do with him?

"Champ is hopefully going to the Betfair Chase, because he has to go left-handed, so where does it leave Chantry House to go? These races were made to give youngsters a chance to break through. The runner-up is good and he's done everything we wanted him to do."

Henderson has used this Listed contest, which was run in memory of Irish Open-winning golfer John O'Leary, as a springboard for bigger things and has won four of the last five runnings, having previously struck with Pym and Gold Cup runners-up Santini and Might Bite.

As to Chantry House's participation in the King George, the trainer added: "I'll have to talk to JP [McManus, owner] about it. It seems the natural thing to do at the moment. He's now proved he stays and his jumping was lovely. I know it may not have proved a lot but The Big Breakaway is a good horse on his day and Colin Tizzard's horses are running well at the moment."

The race presented Nico de Boinville with a tactical conundrum, and the jockey added: "It was a nice clear round and he saw it out well. These cat-and-mouse match races are one of the hardest things you have to do as a jockey but this was a good starting point for him.

"It's a great jumping test round here and it's fun when you're on a good one. He had to do all the donkey work today and you'd like to think a bit of a lead will eke out a bit of improvement next time."

On a roll

Minella Trump recorded his sixth success in a row when landing the 2m4f handicap chase from Mahler's Promise to provide former champion jockey Brian Hughes with his first winner at the track.

The seven-year-old, who won at Sedgefield three weeks ago, scored by two and a quarter lengths and Hughes suggested he could be put away before a spring campaign, as he prefers good ground.

"He went chasing last season but got a fright on his second run and was sent back over hurdles," he said. "I thought this might be harder but he's growing in confidence and jumped really well. He's answered every question and hopefully there's more improvement."

Off the mark

Olly Murphy has high hopes for Bombs Away after he struck on his hurdling debut in the maiden hurdle under Aidan Coleman.

The five-year-old, who runs in the Coolmore colours, earned quotes of 40-1 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle after scoring for Olly Murphy, who landed the Betway Hurdle at Aintree on Saturday.

"He's smart," said Murphy. "My novices are my strong point this year and he would be right up there with the best of them. He's a work in progress but he's shown me a lot at home. For a man like me, who has not been training very long, it's special to win for these owners."

Results, replays and analysis

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