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Henderson has Triumph target after winning start for Palladium

Henderson has Triumph target after winning start for Palladium
Henderson has Triumph target after winning start for Palladium

A tilt at the JCB Triumph Hurdle remains on the agenda for Palladium, with trainer Nicky Henderson perfectly satisfied with the German Derby hero’s successful jumping debut at Huntingdon.

The colt son of Gleneagles became the most expensive jumps horse ever bought in October after being knocked down to Highflyer Bloodstock on behalf of owner Lady Bamford for €1.4million at the Arqana Arc Sale.

The four-year-old won twice on the Flat in Germany, including his Classic triumph in the Deutsches Derby at Hamburg in the summer, while he was last seen finishing last of six behind Charlie Appleby’s globetrotting start Rebel’s Romance in the Preis von Europa in September.

Palladium was an easy-to-back 8-15 favourite under Nico de Boinville for division two of the Pertemps Network Maiden Hurdle, jumping well throughout behind the pacesetting pair of Taxus Baccata and Jack Hyde before he was allowed to stride on leaving the back straight and looked set to win comfortably after pulling clear of the chasing pack.

Nico de Boinville returns victorious with Palladium
Nico de Boinville returns victorious with Palladium (Joe Giddens/PA)

Unconsidered 50-1 shot Wolf Moon emerged as the biggest threat after the home turn and De Boinville had to get a little serious after the final flight, but Palladium found enough when asked to score by two lengths.

Henderson said: “There was pressure because the whole world was going to sit down and watch and probably laugh at us if we had taken him to Huntingdon for a novice (maiden) hurdle and got him stuffed. He thoroughly enjoyed himself and has come on tons. He will be going Flat racing and he is a potential stallion, we’re just having a bit of fun.

“The first thing was did he enjoy it and he did, and he’s got a fantastic temperament. Not every colt is going to take to this game, but he’s lovely and I thought he jumped beautifully – he was big and bold. Nico said he put him in the bottom of a couple just to make him do it that way and he’s won cosily.

“There is a certain amount of relief and you couldn’t find a nicer colt in the world, he has a great attitude to life, which makes a big difference.”

While Palladium’s performance was undoubtedly more workmanlike than spectacular, Henderson is confident improvement will be forthcoming, adding: “He will come on a lot and Nico said he was quite stuffy and I can accept that as he hasn’t done a lot of galloping and these colts do want plenty of work – he’s got a long summer ahead of him.

“He’s the only colt I have and they take a lot more work than a gelding, and I was just a little bit nervous that he might need it. We’ve done lots of schooling but very little galloping and he’s had a good blow. He will have learnt a lot today.

“He can have a 10 out of 10 from me, you couldn’t wish for much more and he’s raced professionally. He was out in front, in behind and has jumped well from beginning to end and took a good blow as well.

“We’re mindful of what’s ahead and he hasn’t had many wind-ups yet.”

Paddy Power eased Palladium’s odds for the Triumph Hurdle – which Lady Bamford’s family sponsors – at the Cheltenham Festival to 16-1 from 12-1, while Coral took the opposite view, going 12-1 from 16s.

His stablemate Lulamba heads the Triumph Hurdle betting at 6-4 with both firms, but Henderson intriguingly raised the possibility of splitting his aces by allowing the hugely-impressive Ascot winner to take on his elders in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

“Lulamba looked very good, but so did he (Palladium) and I think having got this far we might as well have a look at the Triumph,” Henderson continued.

“Our first take is another run would do him good and it almost means Kempton and the Adonis is the obvious place to go, I would think.

“If they have to run against each other in the Triumph then they have to, but we will keep options open.

“I put Lulamba in the Supreme as well and they are two different courses as well, which might be in that horse’s favour, you never know.”

Palladium has major plans beyond Cheltenham, with a Flat campaign that could even include a shot at Melbourne Cup glory in the offing.

Henderson said: “I think he wants to get his toe in the ground to a degree and he doesn’t want it very quick – we will have to think about that when it comes to Flat racing in the summer.

“I’ve trained lots of colts but nothing as high-class as this. The Hardwicke (at Royal Ascot) or something like that is what you might be thinking about for the Flat and I may as well swap these winter woollies, Barbours and flat caps for a tailcoat and a top hat!

“The underbidders were looking at the Melbourne Cup and that might be an option – I wouldn’t mind being out there right now!”

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