Park Hill Waltzes Home
Mon 29 May 2023
WINNER 43 OF 2023: PARK HILL DANCER, trained by Nicky Henderson OBE and ridden by Nico de Boinville: The 'Kev Tilling Memorial Handicap Hurdle' over 2m 4f at Uttoxeter.
A winner at Huntingdon on May 11th, he was clearly well fancied to follow up, as he was at the head of the market. Held up in the last pair, he was jumping well and travelling strongly. Making headway before 3 from home, Nico sat motionless as he loomed up to press the leader before 2 out. Taking the lead approaching the last, he just needed a shake up and pulled clear in the run-in, to win easily, by 4 lengths.
"Park Hill Dancer! Ooh that was very easy indeed." Watch the full race replay here: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Uttoxeter/28-May-2023/1630
Timeform rated it as a 117+ performance, saying: "Is improving in leaps and bounds since being reverted to hold-up tactics and followed up from last time to make a winning handicap debut, worth marking up further after coming from off the pace in a contest that tested speed; patiently ridden, loomed up approaching 2 out, led between last 2, shaken up last, quickened clear; looks up to completing the hat-trick.”
Nico said in his Sky Sports Racing interview: "He is learning to do everything the right way now, as he had been a bit gassy early on in his races. The ground was perfect for him - on the slow side of good and he is very exciting for next year, as he will definately jump a fence. It's great for a syndicate like Middleham Park Racing and we've got options.”
See the official photo gallery here: https://www.nigelkirbyphotography.com/Horse-Racing/Uttoxeter-Racecourse/Uttoxeter-2023/Uttoxeter-Races-Sun-28-May-2023/Race-5/
Syndicate manager Tom says: "Congratulations to his owners on a mighty fine victory yesterday evening. He is clearly thriving on his racing at the moment, and I think that the combination of the penny dropping with regards to what’s required from a racehorse and the slightly better ground that he’s now running, is resulting in improved performances. That's now three wins and two 2nd places from his 5 starts in our colours - he’s really getting to grips with this game now and we’re reaping the rewards! The jumps string are running superbly, as our last 5 NH runners have finished 1,2,1,2,1 so we are doing well across both codes!”