Unbridled: Jango Baie to suit truly-run Cheltenham Gold Cup, says Nico de Boinville who also discusses Lulamba and Old Park Star
Nicky Henderson's No 1 jockey Nico de Boinville joined Matt Chapman and Paddy Brennan on Unbridled to discuss some exciting upcoming rides as the spring festivals draw ever nearer; watch the episode in full on the At The Races YouTube channel
Wednesday 4 February 2026 17:48, UK
Nico de Boinville joined the latest episode of Unbridled, looking ahead to the coming weeks and months - starting with Super Saturday from Newbury this weekend.
Nicky Henderson's up-and-coming chaser Lulamba is entered in Newbury's William Hill Game Spirit Chase - live on Sky Sports Racing - as well as the Kingmaker Novices' Chase at Warwick.
Despite fears about heavy ground, De Boinville said: "I expect him to be declared. He's all set up to go, he's done his last piece of work. He schooled last week and is ready to go. I think it will be Newbury."
The Joe and Marie Donnelly-owned five-year-old enjoyed an excellent hurdling campaign last term, which culminated in Grade One glory in the Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at Punchestown. He has started over fences with similar guile, scoring with ease at Exeter before dazzling in the Grade One Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown.
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His rider commented: "He's got a lot of scope and he's very clever with his feet both ways. I think he's a better chaser [than a hurdler], just as I thought Sir Gino was a better chaser, but circumstances changed. I think he's progressed for a fence and is only going one way, all being well."
A horse that will not be seen this weekend is last year's Arkle winner Jango Baie, who played his part in an unforgettable King George VI Chase on Boxing Day - finishing fourth despite only being beaten half a length by winner The Jukebox Man. Henderson has confirmed Jango Baie will miss the Denman Chase and head straight to the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Looking back at Kempton, the De Boinville recalled: "The King George really wasn't run at a good pace. I thought we went steady and quickened up and the fact there were four in a line going to the line lends to that - it turned into a bit of a sprint. Really, I was flat out from six out and was trying to get a run and see if he would stay on well. It did really have an emphasis on speed that day but I'm hoping a truly-run Gold Cup will play to his strengths.
"The ground was pretty quick as well - Kitzbuhel was bouncing off that. Speed really came into it and Jango Baie loves a stamina test, as he showed in the Arkle where he only got going after the last fence."
Another exciting prospect for the 36-year-old to look forward to is Old Park Star, who is currently the 2/1 ante-post favourite for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Since being transferred from Paul Nicholls' Ditcheat base in October, the six-year-old has recorded three victories over the smaller obstacles by a combined 33 lengths, most recently entering the winners' enclosure at Haydock following a demolition in the Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle.
Enthusiastically, De Boinville said: "He's a stunning horse. I actually schooled him the week before he went to Haydock and I don't know what it is, but he's like a different horse. He gets into the paddock and seems to grow a hand. The presence he has in the paddock Is completely different to at home. I thought the track probably wasn't ideal but he handled it marvellously well. He's a lovely horse, isn't he?"
Looking ahead to March, he added: "He's very versatile. He handles Cheltenham, he loved the hill when he ran there. The form will be shown this weekend when Nigel and Willy Twiston [Davies] run their nice novice [Un Sens A La Vie] in the William Hill Hurdle. They really like theirs so it'll be interesting to see what happens."
The Seven Barrows camp also remain optimistic regarding Act Of Innocence, who was beaten by Minella Yoga at Newbury when last seen in December.
De Boinville commented: "Looking back on that, I thought it was a huge run considering the weight. I was a bit disappointed coming back in but when you look at the bare form of it and how much weight we were giving away, I thought it was a huge run."
Watch Unbridled in full on the At The Races YouTube channel...
