"The horse comes before anything else." Nicky Henderson explains Altior's Tingle Creek withdrawal.

[@paulsmith5018]

What a polite man Nicky Henderson is. He had every opportunity to tell the interviewer to do one and walk away, and he didn't.

[@cathysheppard3808]

Yes, I agree. I could tell that he looked annoyed and tired yet he didn't turn his back. And that in part is what makes him such a good Trainer. That wonderful patience.

[@blackmarbles1047]

Well said Paul

[@old65rocker]

Well said Nicky he was right the ground looked more than soft. Stupid interviewer

[@iminc5498]

Too many arse lickers in this game. Lydia was bang right to ask the questions she did.

[@thegreatwhitelegend]

Cant agrees.... its December hes knows what ground will be like... he does it all the time... once declared shouldn't be allowed to do this stunt

[@dominicspiller481]

Altior is a monster, they were not going to make the same mistake twice

[@cathysheppard3808]

Mr. Henderson is one of the best, if not the best Trainer there is. I love how he was able to keep his temper back. Had I been his wife and standing close by, I'd have asked Lydia why she was asking redundant questions. Then I would have grabbed his arm and led him away.

[@ianh6930]

@@cathysheppard3808 Then Nicky wld of said "Get of me arm Wifey WTF are you doing" She has a fine point nd every reason to ask why, Soft ground at worse . nicky has eevery right to pull his horses out of race at any time i agree. im lucky enough to of seen the great horse run nd win in far more testing conditions. Nicky not the beat trainer of all time btw. top 5 maybe.

[@suemaher5282]

@@cathysheppard3808 well said Cathy the man is a class trainer and a gentleman too.

[@thomsjordan2214]

@Paul Morgan GET OVER IT😂😂😂

[@dominicspiller481]

He is the best trainer in England

[@adambeagley5796]

The literal point of a journalist is to ask questions that people want to know. People disagreed with Nicky so Lydia asked him the question. Don’t understand why she is getting hate- it’s literally what her job is paying her to do.

[@MrSamo65]

because most who comment on lydia aint got a clue .... henderson belongs to j p ..... dont forget he got banne3d for drugs

[@andrewcarter6227]

Absolutely spot on. There are people who cannot be questioned it seems. God, The Queen, and NJH. The Holy Trinity 😂

[@joshuaharper3036]

Credit to Lydia for asking the right questions.

[@davidaspinall1595]

Nicky Henderson.by no co incidence the probably best national hunt trainer.for years.with so many top class horses has answered admirably to such intrusive questions about his knowledge and training of horses.why question that his handling of horses has always been known as superb.well done nicky.well done nice.well done the owners for their support

[@Brizzy-ul3gy]

Well said Nicky ! Look at this mans track record why would anyone question this great trainers decision 🤷‍♂️

[@alanstonehouse4442]

Paul Nicholls didn't think the ground was that soft either..

[@andrewcarter6227]

Ok. If he sends Santini to the Breeders Cup next year don't ANYONE dare question it 😂

[@sadiosalah4314]

Yeah, I wonder why?

[@thomasryan5116]

Well done Nicky.What a disgraceful interview she should never be allowed interview again, the man is a genius and a LEGEND in horse training. Nicky and the owner made the right call 100 percent

[@wheretheresawilltheresaway7752]

disgraceful interview !! you don,t have a clue, nicky,s horses are running poorly that,s what,s really bugging him if he was flying altior would have run

[@MrSamo65]

the man is jp man ...... he is a convicted cheat ,,,,, please dont preach he is a genius when he is a drug cheat .... this is fact

[@stephenyoung297]

Lydia, He has answered the same question 4 times, even accounting for the fact you are a journalist, that was poor from you.

[@danmorris1922]

she has been told what to say. it wasnt her personally. shes there to ask questions.

[@MrSmid888]

Agree. Even on these comments people can’t understand that they don’t want to run the horse! That’s it the END. 🤐 She ASKED the questions. She isn’t prompted unless she knew exactly what Nicky would reply! Its the worst trainer interview I’ve seen. POOR.

[@comesahorseman]

Honest question, because I'm not familiar with these people at all...does Lydia have any experience working with horses in any capacity? If not, then her opinion doesn't mean much.

[@MrSmid888]

@Paul Morgan Nicholls told everyone Politologue was in rude health. It was a 2 horse race until Altior was withdrawn. They’re way ahead in ratings. Trainer and owners especially can do what they like within the rules. If people or journalists get offended that’s not their problem. Altior s non the wiser 😃

[@MrSmid888]

@@comesahorseman Not sure myself and don’t wanna look her up but she’s very experienced pundit and should know better. Blatant disrespect to a very experienced trainer. Poor. Cringe material.

[@garyweir8351]

Nicky you train the horse and look after the horses best interest and the owner. You’ve no one to answer to. Good decision sir

[@johnnylynch2290]

Horses rated 80 are withdrawn due to the ground without question, huge mistake trying to argue racing with Nicky. Altior is one of the greats and should be handled with kid gloves, which he is. Good man Nicky 👍

[@frizzyred1292]

Agreed. Imagine arguing with Nicky, he knows the horse better than anyone, its insulting.

[@harrir9075]

Well said Nicky, and credit to you for not loosing it with the idiotic interviewer!! The horse will always come first and anyone who knows about racing will totally accept and agree with him

[@thecockerel86]

Interesting that people here are having a go at Lydia Hislop for conducting this interview. She is a racing journalist and, sometimes, reporters like her have to carry out difficult interviews. This is one of them. Nicky Henderson's handling of Altior and some of his other horses has been subject to some controversy in the racing industry, so this was the opportunity to put his side of the story to the racing public. The interview was testy at times but professional. It was not *personal*. We don't want journalists who are forever licking the boots of the talent. There enough PR people about for that. Well done to both Lydia and Nicky for an insightful interview!

[@bear0071000]

Great interview from Nicky . I disagree with most thought Lydia stood her ground well . Too many interviewers shy away from asking probing questions to owners and trainers and thought she done well - although Nicky was right in all his answers and I’m sure after both are adult enough to agree to disagree . By the way anyone know what’s happening with Flinteur Sacre ..I’ve backed it for the supreme 😭

[@matthewhart3809]

Great response Nicky. Well done. He didn't say the ground was unsafe, he said it wouldn't suit the horse. If Lydia wants less of a focus on Cheltenham why have The Road To Cheltenham programme starting in November.

[@andrewcarter6227]

This video contains distressing scenes of a rich, upper class man being asked some slightly difficult questions. It may upset some viewers who think friendly little dolly drop questions are "journalism". Agree with the thrust of her questions, or don't. But PLEASE, if you say she has no right to ask them, because he's trained more winners than her, go and sit in a darkened room, have a long chat with yourself, and grow the hell up.

[@piratesahoy9900]

Phenomenal trainer

[@Jacques-Le-Marois]

Wow he is one angry trainer. One of the best trainers of all time but doesn’t do racing any favours by stating ‘only one race matters’. It’s also jump racing in winter,what exactly does he expect the ground to be like?

[@andrewcarter6227]

Indeed. The fact that Sandown in December isn't like Ripon during a July heatwave seems to have been a shock. Although actually Sandown on Saturday was fairly decent ground, and nowhere near the "Heavy" he ridiculously suggested after, possibly , one too many sharpeners.

[@liammassey5833]

Nicky Henderson is one of the most successful trainers this country has ever seen and he has a enough experience to know the surface of the racecourse and I'm sure he knows every one of his horses inside and out if he would of run altior and something gone wrong the media would of torn him apart I just think we need to give nicky more respect he will get his horses to Cheltenham and he will be successful how he does that is up to him

[@stuartalexander3]

What a shame there are a lot of keyboard warriors who think they are trainers posting negative comments against Nicky Henderson, clearly they are just punters who’s only interest is backing horses. They obviously have no knowledge of Horse welfare within the racing industry.

[@robertbain2469]

Lydia is a very good interviewer and although this was not her finest hour, she was not as bad as many of the comments suggest.

[@malalala691]

Call a spade a spade...she was terrible ...spluttering and stuttering through her questions once Henderson put her in her place..ya could hear the fear in her voice!.....trainer did the right thing...

[@daviddickson648]

Her questions were completely reasonable. The going was soft/good to soft. Henderson even started putting age down as a reason he didnt run; was he not aware of the horse's age two days before when he said it was fitter than ever etc? Bloke is as insincere as it is possible to get.

[@carlruston9471]

Totally agree with Nicky he knows his horses better than anyone like he said his priority is his horses welfare so people should except and respect his or any other trainers decisions

[@jamesrichardson3500]

Nothing to see here. Fair question and fair interview and a fair response.

[@comesahorseman]

Reporters simply have to accept the fact that trainers know more about horses than they do. A great deal more. 🙄

[@bradleykitts4387]

I’m sorry but if you actually saw racing at Sandown on Saturday the ground was not as testing as he’s making out altior could of run just putting off the inevitable personally I think altior is done Nicky should just retire him but the run against Cyrname was very testing very also at 2m 5f and ran well for what he normally runs. The ground would have been nothing to him the ground dried out anyway the chase course was not on the testing side I course walked it the night before I live next to Sandown I know what the ground was like

[@stuartalexander3]

@@bradleykitts4387 but you did not walk the course on the day.

[@bradleykitts4387]

@@stuartalexander3 the weather didn’t change the ground dried out grass does dry out lol Sandown always does it and dries fast if the weathers ok and it was

[@comesahorseman]

@@bradleykitts4387 I've seen it on video and while I'm no expert in this discipline, that ground did look soft and chewy. I'll take a trainers word that the course wasn't suitable for that horse. Now, I do know enough about horses to take a guess that Henderson was seeing something about Altior that he didn't like, perhaps he was backing off his evening feed, who knows. If the horse didn't look sharp enough to tackle that soft ground, he well might scratch him. I'm thinking that I would, if my guess is right. But I bet that I'd know more about horses than that reporter.

[@bradleykitts4387]

@@comesahorseman I don’t like the reporters personally and I don’t know how he was the day before or anytime except a few days before when he said he was perfect so he could of not been ready to tackle it but about the ground everyone’s going to have different opinions but for me the ground was better than the ground at ascot when he went head to head with cyrname and he ran ok on the ground he’s a genuine 2 miler he didn’t come out of that race right there was problems like Nicky said but that was 5f extra on worse ground to me he could of run

[@thomaswilloughby1285]

After he answered the first time to her question why even go on to ask a stupid second question? Priority is the horse, not spectators and punters As he said If I run him today we might no see him come march..

[@stuartalexander3]

@Paul Morgan The official going at Sandown was : Heavy (Soft in places). Not only was it heavy but if you had any experience in race riding you would know that the ground was also very sticky, hence a lot of horses were finishing very slowly because they were tired. Forget about the times of any of the races as they were not flat races. In NH races you ride according to the going and what your horse can race on. Altior is a horse who is capable of a tremendous kick before the last fence which unfortunately he cannot produce on heavy ground. He is not a heavy ground plodder he is an athlete who is capable of winning races even on ground that doesn’t suit him providing the opposition isn’t too strong. The drawback with running on ground that a horse does not like is that those races can take a lot out of a horse both physically and mentally therefore horse welfare comes first. Just because a horse eats up and walks out of his box in the morning sound doesn’t mean he is 100% well in himself. Nicky Henderson like all trainers have the responsibility of keeping their horses sound and happy therefore they should be the judges as to whether to run a horse or not. Hence they always consult with the owners, unfortunately some owners have lost horses through injury because they haven’t listened to their trainers. Believe it or not but you can break a horses heart by expecting it to be a machine.

[@iceman9646]

Paul Morgan it’s not just about times. I didn’t watch the race today but were any fences taken out? I’m sure if the jockeys, trainers and the clerk of the course say it was soft then it was soft, it’s only you that seems to think it was good ground and anyone that disagrees with you gets called childish names by a know it all.

[@malalala691]

@@iceman9646 Paul looks like a copy and expert judging by all the comments here...and he’s certainly The only one that agrees wit himself about the ground been good...it’s laughable!!..I’ll take the word of Henderson,the jock and clerk of the course when they says it’s soft/heavy in places... Henderson did right thing

[@suemaher5282]

@@stuartalexander3 Stuart u put that brilliantly

[@suemaher5282]

@@stuartalexander3 Stuart u put that brilliantly.

[@kevbramhill]

Nicky Henderson,pound for pound the greatest trainer of jumps horses of all time being questioned, dont worry Nicky its not you its just the world has gone abit funny

[@paoconnor3532]

Ever hear of willie mullins more cheltenham winners in less time training or gordon elliot who will more then likely end up with more winners than both when its all said and done

[@marleyite]

Michael Dickinson was also a top trainer in his short time as a trainer in the U.K.

[@mattyk269]

Being questioned because his reason for not running was flawed

[@andrewcarter6227]

Yes, imagine someone asking the Lord Supreme a question? I can't understand it. If he declared Santini for next year's Nunthorpe then who could possibly question it?

[@kevbramhill]

@@paoconnor3532 well we have heard of elliot now havent we,

[@andrewnelis9791]

Well said ! Nicky Henderson I have the utmost respect for that man horses welfare comes first simple

[@leighmerlin]

All the negative comments on here, sadly goes to show how few racing people care about horse welfare or horses not running when conditions arent right.

[@mattyk269]

If it was a welfare decision then he should just retire the horse as that was perfect national hunt ground and not heavy ground as he keeps trying to suggest

[@andrewnelis9791]

@@leighmerlin agree totally I'd give them a wide berth to be quite honest peoples pockets talking I mean who would know better us or Nicky he done the correct thing

[@andrewogrady8117]

Owners pay the bills, the horses aren’t machines , it’s not tank of petrol and turn the key, as Nicky said it takes time to recover from some races on poor ground

[@Adam-qu9pe]

Lydia is only asking the questions that many people would want answers to. Henderson is very passionate about the sport, he rarely shirks an interview such as this one; and is even more passionate about the welfare of his horses. The wider issue, which Lydia eluded to, is that there is a lack of quality good horses to watch on a Saturday afternoon between October and March. Cheltenham has become the be all and end all, so you might as well scrap the other Graded races as they’re only ever going to be competed for by one or two quality horses and a few non-descripts and prep races for Cheltenham. It’s obvious that Henderson loves Altior as if it was his own and hence he wasn’t prepared to run the risk to the horse’s welfare, whatever the official ground description/times were. So I applaud both parties - one for asking the questions many journalists would shirk asking, and the other for just being honest.

[@mikeeb86]

Well he’s backed himself into a corner of the ground is soft/heavy for Cheltenham Festival does he care scout the horses welfare then? Or is the race more important?

[@dannyeldergolf]

I completely agree and I said the same thing at the weekend, that Cheltenham has become so big that it affects the entire year. Whilst I also agree that the horses welfare comes first, I also think that owners and trainers have a responsibility to run horses because otherwise viewing figures, betting figures and attendance figures will all suffer. I can guarantee as soon as altior was pulled out of Friday that the viewing figures were down for tv on the Saturday, I know I was planning to watch it but didn’t bother when altior was pulled.

[@Adam-qu9pe]

@@dannyeldergolf Can’t add to that Daniel. Right on the mark.

[@petermernagh9991]

"He hates this ground" - he won the same race on worse ground a few years ago

[@jaymartin9331]

He would’ve won this race for sure.... but that’s not nickys issue, his issue is that this ground would wear Altior off badly and takes a long time for him to recover from

[@mattyk269]

@@jaymartin9331 he’s got 3 months to recover til the QMCC. Henderson is still scarred from the Ascot race last year but that was a completely different race to this. The ground was definitely not bad today and he’s raced on worse

[@petermernagh9991]

@@jaymartin9331 he has 3 and a half months to recover ffs. Or maybe the juice wasn't gone from his system

[@jaymartin9331]

@@petermernagh9991 lads how long have you been watching racing? Because if you watch racing you’d probably know that nicky doesn’t give his horses a 3 and a half month break for Cheltenham , they always ride again in late January/ early February, it happened altior last year , he ran in Newbury in February after that ascot race and he was bolloxed after it. Enjoy one of the greats when he goes in Kempton and when he absolutely pisses the Queen Mother , have a good one boys

[@suemaher5282]

Peter Altior was at his peak then he will be 11 in January it's harder now and he's up against younger horses.. nobody wants to see this beautiful horse struggling or worst injuring himself.

[@cls3379]

Henderson said in other interviews today how badly his odds on horses ran and the one in the last two but they ran? He stated the ground as a reason for their runs but i thought the ground was a welfare issue? Its an welfare issue for Altior but not for the others? Hmm

[@chriswhite6610]

Owner,s pay the bill,s it,s up to them simple.

[@MrSamo65]

lol ... my god your so blind .....

[@MrSamo65]

@Paul Morgan hey what ?

[@MrSamo65]

@Paul Morgan to jim white ..... owners pay the bills ... another itv racing fan who listens to all the bullshit the media wants to tell them .....

[@MrSamo65]

@Paul Morgan cheers

[@christophedallaporta8836]

Nicky Henderson is a true professional who's contributed to make jump racing the attractive sport that the people love. Nobody wants to see horses struggle in grounds they just don't agree with. Thumps ups on him!!

[@neilmorris9886]

Nicky keeps saying heavy... does he not realise the chase and hurdles courses were in entirely different condition. Look at how Allmankind, Hitman, Politolgue and others finished out their race. It was soft ground getting towards good-to-soft at worst. It was not heavy and he’s actually undermining Sandown and clerk of the course to say otherwise.

[@rodneymckee8431]

Well done Hendo horse comes 1st altior ows no punters money give the old boy all the time he needs to be ready

[@rodneymckee8431]

@Paul Morgan nikky knows the horse better than anyone and has to take his age under consideration he won't take any risks that could make him miss what is likely to be altior last cheltenham festival

[@rodneymckee8431]

@Paul Morgan it suggests it yes but times don't always tell the full story the only 1s who really know is the 1s on course

[@rodneymckee8431]

@Paul Morgan no I'm not being delibrity stupid we all know altior has a lazy style of racing yes? So even if it was soft ground would he be able to take a quickly run race on ground that wasn't suitable for him especially at his age

[@malalala691]

@@rodneymckee8431 ignore paul...I’m sure you me or Nicky Henderson won’t lose any sleep about his stupid opinions on KZbin... altior will be back and it’ll be glorious to see..

[@charliebear1436]

@Paul Morgan With fences omitted time comparisons are worthless.

[@Essydyk]

Wow you can tell that Nicky is absolutely seething here. Why should he be having to defend his decisions to Lydia Hislop? Maybe she should be getting her application in for a training license ASAP as she as usual comes across as a right little miss know-it-all.

[@mattyk269]

Because she’s a journalist and it’s her job to ask questions that we want the answers too...

[@Essydyk]

@@mattyk269 We all know the reason the horse didn't run. He explains it quite clearly so not sure what answers you feel you need?

[@jimbolger264]

David Crofter, he comes across as a pompous prick, he is a bully who likes things all his own way and hates to be questioned by a racing reporter with integrity and honesty.

[@LarryFogarty]

nicky is right and lady right to ask questions as well

[@Scania370]

I cant believe a journalist can question a trainer like Mr Henderson, or any trainer about running a horse or not. The welfare of the horse should always come first. And Trainers know there horses better than anybody, and pundit off the TV who probaly doesnt have a clue thinks the spectacle of running a great horse is more important to please the fans All of us NH fans know what can happen to run a horse if you run in the wrong ground .

[@Scania370]

@Paul Morgan Damn Straight 🖕

[@Scania370]

@Paul Morgan I stand well and truly corrected, from Thicko 😃

[@Scania370]

@Paul Morgan I didn’t have a bet because I didn’t think an in form Altior could be beat. I worked all day so l didn’t know he was an NR. When I got back l watched the replay then the Hislop interview. I didn’t even look at the going. I agree if the horse has had set back the trainer should be honest. I commented without researching all the facts.

[@garry.9097]

Not sure why lydia is getting so much stick. Just asking questions which the majority of us are thinking. Would we see Altior at all this season if it came up very soft or heavy at Kempton at christmas or Cheltenham in March?

[@MrSamo65]

brilliant interview by lydia ...... mr henderson does not like being questioned ......gets hot under the collar ,,,,, oh yes this so called great trainer yet another one who gives his horses the go faster juice ....... next time ask him how did he get his drug banning so low on time ..... im sure it was in the summer racing season months also .....handy as he does not run many during them months ,,,,, swept under carpet by many of the racing media and hushed up so it goes away and soon forgotten ...... mr henderson likes the praise so anserw the questions with a little grace and honesty ....... you got lucky with small ban and little media about your drug ban ...... any other trainer would have got banned for much more time ......

[@iangreen2260]

can you imagine any racecourse reporter telling Fred Winter OR David Nicholson they don't know what they are doing with their horse; because of the going being unsuitable for his own horse......Top trainer Mr Henderson he probably knows what he is doing training his racehorses. 100 % correct...........no one expects the spanish inquisition....

[@jacob4690]

Embarrassing from Lydia to be honest she’s on tv earlier in the day saying the horse should be running then when she’s face to face with Nicky doesn’t say it once and says “some people” think he should be running

[@SumoCumLoudly]

She must have backed it antepost

[@daviddownham3779]

Henderson knows what he's talking about. He didn't have a winner yesterday which probably didn't help his mood 😅

[@dannyeldergolf]

Well actually the punters are the ones that pump millions into the industry, which in turns pays the bills

[@stephenyoung297]

There were certain horses which did not finish their races at Sandown today, for instance Doing Fine had no rigt to turn the form round to such an extent with Cloudy Glen who murdered it at Fontwell and was legless from the home turn today. Paul, How is the going near good when the time of the first race is 31sec slow the 2nd 38 slow the 3rd 29 slow, the only reason the 2 group ones were less slow is that they were run at very strong gallops by two fast horses over the minimum trip who both stayed on very strongly.

[@cathybrench2460]

I've got a part share in a horse trained by Nicky . I trust nicky 100%

[@old65rocker]

Me too.

[@andrewcarter6227]

That's nice. Maybe next time you go to the doctor with a sore knee and he prescribes an eye test you'll (a) question him or (b) accept what he says like an unreasoning dolt without their own brain? Let me know.

[@cathybrench2460]

@@andrewcarter6227 what the hell do you mean Andrew?

[@andrewcarter6227]

@@cathybrench2460 It means that trusting someone 100% inevitably means suspending your own critical thinking skills. Fine if that works for you. If there's no scenario in which you would question his judgement, then great. What if he suggested your 2 mile chaser (for example) be entered in the King's Stand at Royal Ascot next summer? At what point do you have some input, or do you follow him off a cliff?

[@cathybrench2460]

@@andrewcarter6227 Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas Mr Happy xx

[@jbno3922]

Would love to see his Betfair account statement

[@MrSamo65]

lol yes

[@victorsoane381]

Always had the greatest respect for Lydia until today, questioning Nickys judgement basically,how many winners has she trained? The only surprise is Nicky didn’t tell her to piss off .

[@mattyk269]

Hahaha so she has to have trained a horse to get to have an opinion? Lol. She’s a journalist ffs. It’s her job to ask the questions that we want the answers to. Lydia completely in the right

[@andrewcarter6227]

How bizarre. So Hendo can only be expected to answer questions if they're posed by Mullins or Nicholls? She's a journalist, and is paid to ask questions. But if you apply the same argument next time you get your car serviced and the mechanic asks you "How many MOTs have you ever done"? then fair enough. It's a weird world where, for instance, only Jack Nicklaus can teach Tiger Woods, and only Stephen Hendry can teach Ronnie O'Sullivan

[@billwarby]

Good man Nicky, not one of the people who interview you put a penny into your yard. You have made the right decision 100%. Lydia is foolish to 'confront' a brilliant trainer , she has to respect the man, the horse, the owners and all the national hunt fans that love Altior. Lydia has done herself damage. Altior does not like heavy ground and in hindsight look at how the horses have finished there. We need Nicky, his team, his owners and above all...his horses.

[@davidrhodes5245]

Of course we all wanted to see Altior run. Why can’t these stupid interviewers understand that they pulled it out for the good of the horse. People complain that horses die when they fall sometimes, or are whipped too much, or treated badly, etc..etc... and yet here Nicky Henderson is 100% looking after the horse, and STILL they complain. PATHETIC... I thought she had more class than to question him that way. Apparantly not 👎

[@mattyk269]

If it’s a welfare issue like you suggest then why has he run him on that ground and worse before? It’s not a welfare issue, he’s bottled it

[@davidrhodes5245]

@@mattyk269.....Most comments on here are definitely on the side of Henderson. Feel free to call him and ask why. He knows far better than the rest of us why it happened 👍

[@mattyk269]

@@davidrhodes5245 because he’s bottled it 👍🏻

[@davidrhodes5245]

@@mattyk269 So he wont run it in the Champion Chase then for fear of losing, according to your theory ??

[@mattyk269]

@@davidrhodes5245 well yeah that’s what I’d expect. But it’s Henderson and he’s a gobshite so he’ll run him because his theory is flawed. He might not get a chance to run and win a G1 as easy as today’s for the rest of his career and it’s pathetic how much of the NH season revolves around Cheltenham

[@leighmerlin]

Very well done Nicky. Standing up for yourself and your horse. I cannot stand that Lydia Hislop anyway, I've heard her too many times speak to trainers like that.

[@cormacflanagan6909]

Paul Morgan yes it was soft. I've seen you make this comment so many times you can't measure the softness of the ground by the time set by horses. An official measurement was taken with the going stick and the majority of the chase course was soft, one small part of it down the back was good to soft. Just because the time was only three seconds above the average that doesn't mean it wasn't soft, it just suggests that it was a very smart performance by politologue, but that is to be expected as he loves soft ground. Nicky is wrong for the saying the chase course was heavy, because it wasn't, the Hurdles course was. But ultimately he has made the decision HE thinks is best for HIS horse. It's not like you'll never see altior again, and at the end of the day he knows what's best for his horse. Some absolutely idiotic reactions to this decision

[@cormacflanagan6909]

@Paul Morgan no it wasn’t a measurement was taken in the morning with a goingstick. That’s how they measure going not measuring times. Google it you fruit cake

[@cormacflanagan6909]

@Paul Morgan how would we know what the going was before racing if the way they measured going was by timing the races?? Are you honestly that stupid. If you genuinely believe there is a limit to how fast every single horse in training can run on soft ground, and that you can therefore judge the softness of ground purely by measuring the times horses run too, it’s time for you to follow another sport

[@cormacflanagan6909]

Paul Morgan Shutup about times mate I don't care about times, that's not how going is measured hahahah. Whatever you think at the end of the day Nickys point is he cares first and foremost about the welfare of his horses, you can see by how upset he is how much he cares about them. After ascot last year I don't blame him for looking after altior as much as possible, and neither should you, you'll see him again and it's not the end of the world. There's a reason you're sat commenting on a KZbin video and he's training horses.

[@mikeeb86]

@@cormacflanagan6909 Liam so if welfare is paramount which it seems like it is with Nicky. Cheltenham Festival Wednesday Champion Chase day ground is soft/heavy he will surely be pulled and NR?!

[@andygatenby4156]

Could santini not also go over to Ireland seen as Nicky can't find a course to suit him over here?

[@k27-z5y]

Agree with Nicky Henderson but hate for Lydia is unnecessary. Majority of the ppl were thinking what she was asking it's just that Henderson had one view he really got across.

[@DanielB288]

Lydia is a muppet. End of.

[@conor7187]

I wonder has Lydia agreed that the testing ground would suit politologue before this? Then perhaps her argument might be weakened. But I have to say, Nicky more than most is really frustrating for taking horses out of a race, although considering the Cyrname race, I can't say I blame him anymore for dealing with Altior like this from now on. Another thought popped into my head too.. it did seem that when Altior and Epitante exercised together than Altior wasn't anywhere near as full of running as Epitante. Perhaps Altiors entry in the race was done under the intention to sway markets. I'm sick of seeing this. In Dundalk last night two of Joseph's horses raced against each other, one was odds on and one was a large price but moved dramatically in the market close to the off. Of course, the favourite went and won while the supposed gamble flopped. I'd love to know what happened but with racing being so tied up by bookmakers, it's ruining the opportunity for transparency. Trainers shouldn't have an affiliation with bookmakers. If something like Altior being entered to sway a market only to be withdrawn is true, then bookmakers should only be able to react to the money, not the information from a trainer. Bookmaker's are ruining racing.

[@conor7187]

I'm a bit confused. I'd like to see betting patterns for this. I agree with Nicky but on the flip side, Altior raced against the biggest rated horse in training over 5furlongs further than his norm and that'd why he was so tired.

[@charliebear1436]

That was when they were trying to build him up for a run in the KG over 3 mles. The ground that day wasn't unlike today's, so another reason not to run.

[@conor7187]

@@charliebear1436 the extra 5 furlongs is a huge step up in distance on ground he doesn't like though.

[@jasondenby434]

What is she going about ridiculous interview

[@frankbrennan1619]

Not a ridiculous interview in the slightest & Lydia Hislop was absolutely correct & Henderson's discomfort more than evident when she put it to him that it's very bad news for jump racing that running on ''soft, heavy or sticky ground'' is a so-called ''welfare issue?''

[@andrewcarter6227]

Well, she set out questions in a clear and appropriate manner. Not sure what is "ridiculous" about that. Perhaps, "Oh Nicky, aren't you marvellous"? is the hard-hitting stuff you crave!?

[@andrewsavage9148]

If you think that’s a ridiculous interview, I question your knowledge, she’s literally asked about the ground and Henderson has form for withdrawals she tied him in knots about the welfare issue comment, flies in the face of everything he was saying in his bookie sponsored blog, and he says he knew when he left, he was in no doubt so he and nico lied on tv then 🤷‍♂️

[@harrish6]

Nicky sounds somewhat vexed at this interviewer - Rightly so, the woman isn't listening she has her own agenda - She should not be an interviewer in this field - She has no compassion or understanding of a trainers duties and moral ethics seems beyond her. Good luck Nicky

[@GoGoTwice]

I don’t think he’ll let her interview him again

[@davidcoughlan3619]

Lydia should bow to & respect Nickys superior knowledge, experience, and track records...and not pander to popularity questions, what part of horses welfare does she not understand ?

[@andrewcarter6227]

She's a journalist, and a pretty good one. Asking questions is what she does. If His Royal Highness was expecting a slew of sycophantic nonsense then he was disappointed (though I doubt he was expecting that). Quite why horse trainers, unlike Prime Ministers or CEOs of major companies, are exempt from tough questions is anyone's guess, but I suspect there's a fair amount of forelock tugging going on with you.

[@robertedmondson1572]

Well said Nicky. Nowt to do with the media... Welfare of the horse CHOICE of the trainer and owners!!!

[@craigwells267]

You tell her Nicky 👍👍🏇

[@zanelepemvani8159]

They should have done this with enable in France, the ground was horrible

[@daryltaylor7586]

Love Nicky. Such an emotional guy who speaks sense. Just watch exactly what Nicky said after Ascot when Nico had to walk him in because he was exhausted. Sad not to see Altior run but 100 percent right decision. Nicky knows best. Well done for making a statement and the right call.

[@diabeticfridge2930]

Just retire the horse ..... one excuse after another ... this is NH Racing, if horses can't run on soft ground, that is quite frankly a joke

[@tiptonolympic4]

Well done Lydia! Very fast Tingle Creek on the time figures but was apparently heavy. Nonsense. Altior's best ever RPR came on soft ground. Didn't run because they didn't want to race him against decent opposition. Will trot round at 1/5 against far inferior opposition. What will he do if it's soft at Kempton?

[@andrewsavage9148]

I really like Lydia Hislop, she’s got an encyclopaedic knowledge of racing, Henderson’s stock answer was “I look after the horse” I thought she tied him up in knots at times, he’s a super trainer nobody questioning that, but when you have your bookie sponsored blog all week saying altior doing well the weather isn’t a major concern, the jockey on Friday says it’s wasn’t that much of a worry, then suddenly he’s out and it’s just the ground, ok Nicky, if in his “withdrawal” announcement had said what he said to Lydia here a lot wouldn’t have questioned it.

[@petermernagh9991]

When speculating about where to run Santini he never mentioned the options in Ireland

[@cathalobrien1282]

Nicky is absolutely right. No point running him in conditions that could wreck the rest of his season

[@dazkennedy8641]

Nicky can do what he likes his number one priority is the horse .........

[@malalala691]

Lydia made a complete fool of herself in this interview..questioning a man who’s one of the best trainers in the history of the game!...she should take a couple of years off and have a think about wat she’s doin here...

[@xWayne1991x]

The only person that made a fool of themselves is henderson here

[@Zarkava8]

@@xWayne1991x Mind boggling. 🙄

[@mikeeb86]

So if it REALLY is a welfare issue and he cares about the horse so much as he hates soft/heavy ground - Cheltenham Festival on a Wednesday comes up Soft/Heavy does he pull Altior from the race - if he cares about the Welfare of the horse he surely has to doesn’t he?!

[@xWayne1991x]

He didnt even bother to wait until the morning of the race to see what the ground was like. Clearly hes not happy with the horse and he is lying through his teeth as usual.

[@suemaher5282]

How can anyone disagree with Nicky. He knows the horse better than anyone and he knows the last time he ran him on that ground it took its toll on him. He above anyone would want to race so if he pulls the horse then it's the right thing to do. Anyone who disagrees isn't thinking of the welfare of the horse. Look at this great trainers record it's second to none. He made the right decision.

[@archiesracing8728]

Nicky's 100% right if the condition aren't right you dont run Simple!!!! Pick your battles!!!

[@mattyk269]

Conditions were fine

[@archiesracing8728]

Matty k i respect your opinion but unfortunately we have no say in matter. Unless your nicky Henderson, you own altior or are involed in there lifes, im afraid Henderson's is doing the best for the horse, him and the owners etc. Its there choice and no one else is unfortunately buddy fact :( Im sure if the conditions weren't right in your mind you wouldnt run either. Anyway hope your gd and get some winners if you bet matty 👌 keep it 10/10 👍

[@carlm9556]

The only sport where nobody darre criticise jockeys or trainers in case they get thrown off the gravy train

[@snedz1982]

This reporter needs sacked!!! Completly disrespectful!

[@samsonpug]

Nicky got it wrong when he ran the horse at Ascot. Now he panicked and got it wrong again. The ground wasn’t heavy. Politilogue bounded up the hill.

[@greeneclean9854]

agree with nicky but why are people berating Lydia its her job to ask questions isn't it 🤔

[@cathysheppard3808]

Not stupid annoying questions that she asked over and over, just with a different topping.

[@1685mymusic]

Because she kept asking the same pointless questions as if she hadn’t understood the answers. Nicky is the most gentlemanly person. He’s says what he means and gives it straight. Why keep harking back. Ignorant and rude. And he is way better than that.

[@greeneclean9854]

as I said I agree with nicky and have been a big fan for 30 years but if she didn't agree with the answer she pushed the interview .Feelings for nicky aside she is a journalist

[@cmcg3738]

@@1685mymusic Aye. He was straight with Binocular wasn't he? Saying he was out for the season then seeing back backed in from 1000/1 and then telling us actually he'd be fine for the Champion Hurdle. He was straight when he was caught on more than one occasion with horses failing their drugs tests, earning the nickname "Chemical Nicky." Nothing straight about him and the only people claiming there are are ignorant cretins unaware of his history or arselickers used to having brown noses for the sake of their social betters.

[@Zarkava8]

@@cmcg3738 You need to lay off the white powder.

[@davidzly]

Well said Mr Henderson. Screw the press and pundits!!!

[@samuelhutchison8433]

How can anyone argue with one of the greatest trainers of all time ...

[@MrSamo65]

the greatest trainers never get banned for drugs .........he has been banned

[@richarddearnley9555]

Right decision not to run Altior, would have won Tingle Creek, bad race, but Champion Chase is the target, whether he is good enough now is another question. Obviously just giving Santini a run, virtually a void race as fences ommited, connections of horse named after the race won is suspect, though. Mr Coffee virtually the best backed horse of the weekend bounced, same as last year. First weekend bookies open, hope you were in there or online to reap the rewards, as it happened, as not a simple day's racing ante post for sure.

[@frankschlanker]

Who the hell put Lydia up to this?

[@cmcg3738]

A journalist asking questions. Yes, who did put her up to this? It's amazing. Truly ground-breaking stuff.

[@frankschlanker]

@@cmcg3738 Really naive questions though.

[@frankschlanker]

@Paul Morgan doesn't really matter he decides if the horse runs or not! Where do you think hey have found this massive improvement in Politilogue? He was always a Grade 1 horse but always placed. Never seemed to have the speed ?

[@tommyhughes2264]

Has Lydia been taking lessons on how to speak from Boris Johnson because she was bloody awful. Nicky Henderson has got nothing to apologise for end of story.

[@barringtondavis8630]

I disagree with all your comments about Nick Henderson answer for not running Altior. Nicky Henderson only see the Cheltenham festival as the only racing meeting for the season.

[@tomgallagher7870]

The road to cheltenham should be interesting next week 🤔

[@wheretheresawilltheresaway7752]

got a feeling altior is on the slide now

[@old65rocker]

Well good comment, he certainly is not going to be the horse he was 3 years ago which is why at nearly 11 Altior needs to be looked after. Right decision not to run.

[@patricksmith3432]

I agree with him the horse care is his priority hes absolutely furious in this interview

[@andrewcarter6227]

Yes, it must be terrible for him. Let's have a whip round for him. Poor man, having to answer questions. It's beyond unfair.

[@CCW34437]

100% correct NH !

[@niall3973]

Expected a terrible interview based on the comments I read initially. Actually thought it a great interview. Just because NH is a great trainer doesn't mean he shouldn't be scrutinized. Especially when by NHs own tacit admission 50% of people weren't impressed by his decision. His argument for not running the horse is full of holes and he wasn't as far as I am aware very transparent on the uncertainty of altior running leading up to the race. Even Paul Nicholls stated he was surprised he didn't run based on the ground. NHs argument here is basically welfare. Yes welfare is important, but it shouldn't be used to close down a debate and silence rational questioning. Soft ground, 2m, lower quality competition than Cyrname....totally reasonable people are annoyed he has passed over the great Tingle Creek. So I'm glad she pushed him.

[@timcomley3241]

Master at getting one there for the big day

[@andrewcarter6227]

I'm torn. On the one hand obviously the owners/trainer decide and know the horse. But the jumps season is descending into a series of Cheltenham "trials" (with notable exceptions such as the Betfair Chase, Tingle Creek, King George) rather than races to be won for their own sake. Henderson's defensiveness I can understand as he'd be pilloried if the horse ran, maybe won, but was knackered by the ground. On the other hand, he should understand that Lydia is asking appropriate questions and not dollying up ones he can hit for six, like so many less informed and, dare I say it, less professional interviewers might.

[@datagerrl8495]

7:06 Interviewer abruptly changes stride “Let’s talk about Santini, shall we?” Didn’t like the ground?

[@oisinomeara999]

Ridiculous interview, questioning the decision of the top trainer in the UK to not run a horse who hasn't ran in a year on ground he doesn't like In a grade 1 on his comeback run. As if she knows better stick to reading questions off a script, muppet 👍

[@DanielB288]

Couldn’t have said it better

[@oisinomeara999]

@@DanielB288 who me or Paul

[@DanielB288]

@@oisinomeara999 you! Paul is just a muppet who might place a £10 bet and hasn’t a clue what he’s going on about. The ground might have dried out but he declared it the night before, do you not understand? He didn’t want to pitch the horse into a grade 1 on a seasonal reappearance when the ground was heavy the day before.

[@oisinomeara999]

@@DanielB288 I just wanted to make sure before I responded 😂 absolutely agreed . How anybody thinks can argue with a trainers decision not to run a horse who has given so much to everybody involved in racing and owes nobody anything on ground he doesn't feel comfortable running him on when hes rusty is beyond me

[@DanielB288]

@@oisinomeara999 👍👊🏻

[@carlm9556]

It's a shame there's not more journalists like this one but then again they prefer never to criticise and stay on the gravy train

[@DeLtAVeTeRaNz]

Well said Nicky, I part own a horse that is based with him we’ve only had him out once this year because the ground hasn’t been right at any horses he’s been aimed at. Stupid questions from Lydia Hislop how can you argue running a horse over welfare.

[@gavinparkes1515]

Nicky quite right, even though trainer has a "cotton wool" history with his stars - remember "See You When". But regardless, what if the horse had taken the chance and pulled up lame - trainer would still get slated...can't win. For those who just wanted to "see" the horse, be grateful - this time last week you couldn't get into a racecourse.

[@Zarkava8]

See You Then.

[@Adam-qu9pe]

@@Zarkava8 He became known as “See You When” as no one knew when he was going to run again.

[@tomtheeagle1]

@@Adam-qu9pe We all knew when we would see him and he won that race three times!"

[@old65rocker]

@@Adam-qu9pe Thats because he had legs like glass and Nicky did an amazing job just to get him to the course let alone win 3 Champion Hurdles

[@markmcclements531]

Lydia is asking the questions that the racing public want answered. Nicky knows it, and they are both playing to the gallery.

[@jbno3922]

No other sport allows the participants to get away with things so much as racing. Fair play to Lidia , she had him on the ropes and he knows it. The ground at Sandown, as the times show, was perfectly fine on the chase course....... disgraceful he didn't run.

[@Taribo1210]

How could you ever question Henderson ffs, absolutely embarrassing

[@thomsjordan2214]

@Paul Morgan HE IS PROTECTING THE HORSE SO WHAT IF HE LIED ABOUT THE GROUND HE IS AN OLDER HORSE ,LOOK IF YOU LOST MONEY GET OVER IT MATE

[@thomsjordan2214]

@Paul Morgan YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE HERE COMPLAING MATE 🙄🙄🙈🙈

[@thomsjordan2214]

@Paul Morgan How on earth do you know im not in a winning position? You sound confused on one hand your giving out about nickie and on the other your saying he done you a favour,,i dont gamble im a groom in a top yard in Ireland so ive no need to gamble i love my horses so i know were nickie is coming from he aint gonna run a horse for you punters mate he loves altior something you do not understand as a punter,You say you have won 55k but what have you lost hey?Gooday sir

[@thomsjordan2214]

@Paul Morgan 😂😂😂

[@dimpdimp4298]

Henderson was defo on the sauce. The welfare of Mr Henderson's pocket is not unimportant. Racing doesn't have a prob Oct - March...there's lots of competitive Sat races going on. Even with Altior out of the race it wasn't easy to pick the winner or we'd have an odds on winner.

[@andrewcarter6227]

Anyone who still thinks journalism means not asking well-known people slightly difficult questions should listen to Lydia on Nick Luck's podcast of 7th December, where she sets-out why saying "Trainers/owners decide" just isn't good enough.

[@mattyk269]

It’s not heavy ground on the chase course, it’s soft as suggested with the Tingle Creek and Henry VIII, he’s raced him multiple times on soft and the only time he didn’t win was against Cyrname. He just wants a walkover at 1/6 at Kempton. He’s completely bottled it from Nichols and deserves every bit of stick he’s getting. It’s pathetic how much of the season revolves around Cheltenham. Does this mean if it comes up soft at Cheltenham he won’t run him? It’s an absolute farce and Henderson is a pathetic bottler, will never be on PFN’s level.

[@cliffrightmove1527]

What a load of crap you talk,bet you have never owned a racehorse in your life !!!

[@mattyk269]

@@cliffrightmove1527 what’s your issue with what I’ve said then?

[@cliffrightmove1527]

@@mattyk269 everything,when you have trained as many horses as him you might know what your talking about,to insult him as you have your a disgrace

[@mattyk269]

@@cliffrightmove1527 hahahahh so you have to have trained horses to have an opinion these days. Might as well not have fans of racing anymore. At the end of the day, he’s bottled it because he was afraid of getting beat my Nichols again.

[@cliffrightmove1527]

@@mattyk269 so idiot who said you have to train horses for an opinion? Seems you ought to go into politics the liberal party would love you ,ready made for them

[@kristianhathaway7873]

If its soft to heavy ground at Cheltenham how can altiior run as he says its a welfare issue an isn't fair on the horse

[@craigpope8580]

At the end of the day nicky is looking after the horse but at the same time he is saying he doesn't think Altidore can beat politologue on soft/heavy ground which to me I am surprised because I think he would of still won

[@charliebear1436]

It's what it would have taken out of him in doing it that's the issue.

[@anthonykehoe2677]

Nicky knows what he is talking about always the media to talk shit . He knows his horses and whats best for him