Nicky Henderson’s talented hurdler Grandouet will be aimed at the 2011 Punchestown Festival. (credit: hyperionone)
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Nicky Henderson’s talented hurdler Grandouet could return to action at this season’s Punchestown Festival following his crashing fall at Aintree earlier this month.
The Triumph Hurdle third headed to Aintree after his exploits at the Cheltenham Festival and he looked to be in with a great chance of taking the spoils in the Matalan Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle before his fall.
Henderson believes that his star is none the worse for that tumble and he is considering taking him to Ireland to run in the AES Champion Four Year Old Hurdle on May 7.
"It is difficult to know which Festival to target with Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown all close together, but Grandouet is going to try and do all three," Henderson explained.
"He's only a four-year-old and he could struggle next year, as five-year-olds tend to, and this is his last chance to run as a novice.
"I think he was going very well at Aintree when he was brought down. I actually think his biggest danger would have been the horse that brought him down.
"The winner (Zarkandar) was not that impressive but I know he found plenty at Cheltenham."
