Big afternoon in Berkshire for Henderson’s novice newcomers

Nicky Henderson takes the wraps off two promising French recruits on a quality midweek card at Newbury on Wednesday.

The first Seven Barrows newcomer sent into action at the Berkshire circuit is Fire Warning, a rare Henderson-trained runner for prominent owners Rich and Susannah Ricci, who won on the Flat in his homeland before finishing second on his hurdling debut at Auteuil.

The five-year-old grey lines up in the second division of the Boyle Sports Home Of Early Payout Novices’ Hurdle under James Bowen, and Henderson said: “I like him. He had a couple of runs on the Flat and one over hurdles when he just got beaten.

“He’s a fine, big horse and he’s not slow. I would have thought two miles is enough, if he wants a bit further then he can go up to two and a half.

“He’s done everything we’ve asked and it’s time to put our head above the parapet and see what he can do.”

Half an hour later Henderson and Bowen will team up with Feel Gut in the Boyle Sports Best Odds Guaranteed EBF Junior “National Hunt” Hurdle.

Runner-up on his sole start to date at Auteuil, the youngster carries the colours of Joe and Marie Donnelly, for whom Henderson has trained two top-class four-year-olds in the past two seasons in the form of Sir Gino and Lulamba.

Henderson added: “I’m not sure you’re going to see that sort of firework!

“He’d be the same as the other horse (Fire Warning) – he’s a fine, big horse.

“He’s a big, scopey four-year-old, he’s got a big frame anyway.”