Henderson lands Cesarewitch
BUZZ provided trainer Nicky Henderson with his third Cesarewitch victory – and a welcome success too for champion jockey Oisin Murphy.
It is 18 years since Henderson first claimed this prestigious staying handicap with top-class hurdler Landing Light, while popular veteran Caracciola added his name to the roll of honour in 2008.
Willie Mullins, who has taken over from Henderson as the most successful trainer at the Cheltenham Festival in recent years, fielded six runners in his bid for a joint-record fourth straight Cesarewitch success, and it looked as though Ireland’s perennial champion National Hunt trainer would triumph once again when his 2020 Triumph Hurdle heroine Burning Victory moved to the front under William Buick, but Buzz and Murphy followed to set up a grandstand finish.
Burning Victory looked to be getting the better of the argument racing inside the final furlong, but 8-1 shot Buzz – making his first appearance since finishing second in the Aintree Hurdle in April – reeled her in to prevail by a length and a half.
It was a notable victory for Murphy, who was forced to sit out Friday’s card at Newmarket after failing a breath test.
“I’m not faultless, but I’ve got to do better,” said Murphy, as he reflected on the past two days.
“I shouldn’t be making mistakes like that. It shouldn’t happen, and I’m just sorry to everyone. It’s great to get some confidence back, but I should know better.”
On the success of Buzz, he added: “Nicky told me to try to be in the first half because he stays well, but there was a massive rush on, as you might expect.
“I was drawn low, and he was a little bit hesitant, so I had to take back – and I got on the back of
Andrea (Atzeni on Reshoun), who is very good tactically and he knew what was going to happen.
“I followed him until I peeled out, and I thought Will’s horse might hit a brick wall. I couldn’t make my horse go any faster, so when I put my hands back I might have looked confident, but it wasn’t until late that I thought I was going to win.
“It takes some planning, for the horse not to miss a beat over that length of time, but fair play to Nicky.”
Meanwhile, Native Trail underlined his Classic credentials by extending his unbeaten record in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes.
Trainer Charlie Appleby said: “When he was walking around the paddock I was more confident, because he was the standout.
“Today is a huge day, and we have two smart colts on our hands for next year’s Guineas.
“There’s a lot more to come, you’d like to say, but he (Native Trail) is unbeaten with two Group Ones. I’m not going to get too carried away.”