Nicky Henderson’s highly regarded hurdler Spirit Son could make his eagerly anticipated return to action in the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 29. (credit: Will Palmer)
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Nicky Henderson’s highly regarded hurdler Spirit Son could make his eagerly anticipated return to action in the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 29.
The 2011 Stan James Supreme Novices' Hurdle second hasn’t been seen since he powered to an impressive success in the Grade 2 John Smith's Mersey Novices' Hurdle over 2m4f at Aintree in April but the superstar is an 8/1 shot for the Irish Champion Hurdle.
He could face stablemate Binocular and Champion Hurdle hero Hurricane Fly in the race and Henderson explained: "We won't rule them in or out. I'll speak to JP (McManus) about Binocular and he has been very well since Kempton.
"Spirit Son is also very well, but it really depends on what happens over here.
"The ground will be a factor as well, but we may well run one of them. We'll make up our minds a bit closer to the time."
Meanwhile, Colm Murphy’s Hatton's Grace Hurdle heroine Voler La Vedette could also line up in the race and the trainer explained: "It's a possibility that she'll run in the Irish Champion Hurdle at this stage though a lot will depend on the ground. I'd imagine that if the ground were to come up soft we would let her take her chance.
"We had a great run with her of late and she is in great order. It's unbelievable as she seems to be improving with every run.
"She is still only a young mare and she's at the age where she could still be improving.
"We've had a lot of stop-starts with her in the past due to muscle problems but they seem to be behind her so we've had a straight run with her and haven't had too many hiccups with her."
