What subsequent for surprise horse Structure Hill? Coach Nicky Henderson and proprietor Michael Buckley think about their choices with a possible problem for the Cheltenham Gold Cup
Coach Nicky Henderson mentioned spectacular Unibet Champion Hurdle winner Structure Hill barely seemed like he’d had a race 24 hours after his memorable victory on day one.
The unbeaten Michael Buckley-owned six-year-old, who’s notoriously laid again, can have yet one more race this season within the Aintree Hurdle at subsequent month’s Grand National assembly.
Henderson mentioned: ‘He’s nonetheless asleep! We trotted him up and he plodded up and down the yard. He was about as occupied with what was occurring as he was yesterday.
‘The plan now could be Aintree. There’s a four-week break between the conferences this season. There isn’t any level in doing the rest.’
The large query is what Structure Hill will likely be requested to do now. He may keep on with hurdling and dominate the division for the subsequent few years however the indications are that his proprietor Michael Buckley desires to be extra adventurous.
Unbeaten Structure Hill can have yet one more race this season within the Aintree Hurdle
After Tuesday’s race Structure Hill’s jockey Nico De Boinville mentioned he wouldn’t need him ‘pigeon-holed’ as a hurdler and that will point out a change to novice chasing subsequent season is probably going.
A standard route could be for Structure Hill, who Henderson believes can have no bother racing over longer distances, to return to the Pageant for a novice chase occasion in 2024 forward of a possible problem for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2025. The lauded mare Daybreak Run is the one horse ever to win each the Champion Hurdle (1984) and Gold Cup (1986).
Any choice on what occurs subsequent is unlikely to be introduced till after the Summer time when Buckley and Henderson have had time to ponder their choices.
In the meantime, Henderson is anticipating a tricky take a look at for favorite Shishkin when he strains up within the Ryanair Chase.
The coach mentioned: ‘He goes there in fine condition. Nico has been very proud of him however Willie Mullins has a robust crew and he’ll must earn it. Nothing comes simple at Cheltenham.’
