Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle
 QuinnBet
Grade 2, Haydock Park 13:25
£80,000 guaranteed,
4yo plus, 2m 128y, Class 1  
Saturday 17th January 2026

1 Old Park Star 4/5F
2 Hurricane Pat 7/4
3 Soldier Reeves 12/1
6 ran Distances: 18l, shd, 3¾l
Time: 3m 47.34s (slow by 10.34s)

Old Park Star powered his way to the forefront of the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle betting after a breathtaking performance at Haydock.

The Festival opener’s sponsors reacted swiftly, trimming Nicky Henderson’s six-year-old into 11-4 from 7-1 following a commanding success in the Grade Two Rossington Main, where he brushed aside capable opposition with striking authority.

Henderson, already familiar with success in this sphere through Jonbon and Jeriko Du Reponet, appears to have unearthed another top-class novice. In the lineage of Altior and Shishkin, Old Park Star possesses both the physique and athleticism to suggest fences will one day be well within his compass.

Nico de Boinville, registering his first winner since returning from injury, was positive from flagfall, sending his mount into an early rhythm at the head of affairs. Hurricane Pat, a smart performer in his own right, attempted to track him, but as they turned for home the writing was already on the wall. The 4-5 favourite quickened decisively and, though eased close to the line, still crossed with 18 lengths in hand.

“He was so professional. If anything was going to beat him it was going to be the track today and that is why his turn of foot was so devastating really,” said De Boinville.

“I couldn’t ask for anything more, I’m delighted with the horse and he’s got such a massive future ahead of him.

“He’s so straightforward, he knows exactly where his feet are but I wanted to give him a race at the same time as it’s six weeks to the Festival.

“It was the plan to load it up as much as we could and then see what we had, but he stays so well. I was worried about the track, but I’ve no worries now.”

He added: “Not many win like that, so I’m delighted, and ground doesn’t seem to bother him. I really like this horse.”

Henderson was at Ascot, from where he said: “He was very good. It was great. He jumped the first two then he just rolled on.

“I know Gary’s (and Josh Moore) horse Hurricane Pat came and had a look at him at the last on the far side, but he only got a look at him, he didn’t see much more of him.

“You would assume he is a two-miler and if he can do that around Haydock Park why go any further, so therefore we know where we are going.

“There was no point after Cheltenham (of not going front the front) when you are coming back to a sharp track like Haydock Park. That is what I liked about today, as you have got to have pace to do that and he had them well strung out.

“That was what was impressive that nothing could get anywhere near him. He gets in a lovely rhythm with his jumping.

“He has a funny style of jumping as he rolls his back and his back-end comes over it and he is away every time. You couldn’t fault him really. I was surprised and impressed at Cheltenham and I’m relieved and impressed today.

“He hasn’t just gone away and won it, he has moved up a peg again. At this stage of it you would have to say (that he is as good as my other Supreme horses). I think he has beaten decent horses today as at Cheltenham you could say what was in there.

“On paper before Cheltenham looked a respectable race, but this had depth to it, and they didn’t get anywhere near him.”

Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle
(Grade 2)
£80,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m 7f 144y, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Good to Soft

POST. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1     Old Park Star 6 11-7 Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville 4/5F
2 18 Hurricane Pat 6 11-9 Gary & Josh Moore Caoilin Quinn 7/4
3 shd Soldier Reeves 5 11-7 Dan Skelton Tristan Durrell 12/1
4 3¾ Japetus 5 11-4 Nicky Richards Brian Hughes 12/1
5 15 Tashkhan 8 11-4 Brian Ellison Craig Nichol 40/1
6 3½ Wahraan 8 11-4 Jessica Bedi Aaron Anderson 150/1

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