IF Carlsberg did Saturdays, they would look something like the one Nicky Henderson enjoyed at Kempton.
The trainer was all smiles as he celebrated a 820-1 four-timer, headlined by Mister Fisher in the Silviniaco Conti.
Henderson joked: “It’s been a good afternoon, I think you could call it a good day at the office!”
Eight-year-old Mister Fisher put his King George flop behind him to set up a tilt at some fancy springtime targets.
The 15-8 favourite was too sharp in the straight for runner-up Eldorado Allen who was two lengths back as they crossed the line.
Caribean Boy, Falco Blitz and First Street also struck for Henderson who had clerk of the course and old pal Barney Clifford to thank for some inside help.
Henderson smiled: “That race was made for Mister Fisher the day it went in the programme book.
“We went three wide on the course the whole way, and have done the whole day, which Barney told us to do three days ago. A bit of local knowledge always helps!
“Two and a half miles is his thing. It may have been stamina in the King George, or maybe it was just his first run.
“He has a Gold Cup entry, but the Ryanair is much more realistic. If it’s on good ground he’d be up there.
“He’s there with some of our best horses, we’ve always thought he’s top class. He might go under the radar a bit, but we’ve always liked him – and I love him!”
The bookies shortened Mister Fisher into 12-1 from 20-1 for the Ryanair with Aintree also on the cards.
And he wasn’t the only trainer who was relieved the card was given the all clear after three inspections due to heavy fog that only cleared an hour before the opener.
The £100,000 Coral Lanzarote Hurdle went the way of 10-1 shot Cobblers Dream for jolly Ben Case.
Punters cursed their luck early in the race as well-backed joint-favourites Green Book and Marie’s Diamond both lost their chance at just the second flight after Ch’tibello came down and hampered the pair.
Case revealed winning jockey Jack Quinlan only came in for the ride after usual pilot Jack Andrews went to Wetherby instead.
Case said: “He had a full book of rides up there, but he’s going to regret it. That will be a tough one for him.
“It’s nice to have a big Saturday winner and we’ll try and sneak in the Coral Cup now.”
It wasn’t just on the track that Henderson had reason to cheer as a number of his stars dazzled on the gallops before he arrived at Kempton.
Shishkin worked the house down and his unbeaten chaser was given the green light to take on Energumene in the Clarence House at Ascot next weekend.
He said: “I could hardly see anything in the fog, but he whizzed past, so fast, and that’s the important thing.
“Nico De Boinville was thrilled with him and we’re on for Ascot. His work was very, very good and he’s a heck of a lot lighter than he was before Kempton.
“You can tell Willie Mullins to stay at home! You don’t intend for these clashes to happen before March but he’s really well. Timing wise it works out better than Newbury.”
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https://www.sportingexcitement.com/horse-racing/after-almost-losing-his-ankle-ali-rawlinson-just-wanted-a-normal-life-with-his-son-now-hes-nearing-racing-return
