HORSE RACING: Nicky Henderson introduced a potentially exciting prospect when Back To Ben Alder spreadeagled the opposition at Kempton yesterday.
Two days after losing Bacchanal, the former Stayers' Hurdle winner, at Cheltenham, Henderson harbours hopes of festival glory with another son of that horse's sire, Bob Back.
Back To Ben Alder, who had cost his connections 88,000 Irish guineas three years ago, was well touted ahead of his racecourse debut in the first division of the Future Stars Standard Open National Hunt Flat race and was sent off the 15 to 8 favourite.
His supporters never had an anxious moment once he eased into the lead under Marcus Foley shortly after turning for home, and he cruised home 13 lengths clear of Forever Dream.
The form may be hard to evaluate but Henderson had no hesitation in nominating the Guinness Champion Bumper at Cheltenham for the imposing six-year-old.
Trainer Jonjo O'Neill faces a Jockey Club hearing at Portman Square over the running of Top Of The Left at Exeter yesterday. The JP McManus-owned gelding finished unplaced in the second division of the novices' hurdle under Tom Siddall. O'Neill was referred to Portman Square under the rule concerning schooling in public as this was his third offence in two years.
