Racing News
	Monday 25th November 2013

Rolling Star Back On Track After Haydock Win

Nicky Henderson would have been disappointed to see both Bobs Worth and Long Run finish out of the frame in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 23, but at least he had some consolation in his Rolling Star bouncing back to form with a very pleasing effort in the Read Nicholls and McCain Exclusively on Betfair Hurdle on the same card.

Rolling Star
© Racehorse Photos

Rolling Star had promised to be a top juvenile hurdler last season after winning on his first outing following a move from his native France in January, but after that fine start in Grade 2 company on his first start for Henderson he was unable to follow-up made a hot favourite for the Grade 1 JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last March. Although he ran a decent race, he could only finish sixth behind Irish star Our Conor.

A beaten favourite again at the Aintree Festival a few weeks later when a disappointing fifth of the 10 runner’s behind L’Unique, the gelded son of Smadoun was given a good break during the summer and appears to have thrived for the holiday judging by his performance at Haydock on his first start of the new campaign.

Henderson was particularly enthusiastic in the winners’ enclosure when asked about Rolling Star, suggesting that his charge had made tremendous physical improvement during his summer holiday and had been working particularly well at home on the Seven Barrows gallops.

While there are no firm plans for the four-year-old, it appears that connections have high expectations once again for their horse and it would come as no surprise to see him asked to tackle much stiffer opposition than the 137-rated Haydock runner-up Doyly Carte next time out.