Jonbon jockey change confirmed as Nico de Boinville misses Sandown ride
Mark Walsh will partner Jonbon for the first time at Sandown this weekend, trainer Nicky Henderson has confirmed.
With stable jockey Nico de Boinville sidelined by injury, the Seven Barrows handler is having to make alternative riding arrangements for his stable stars and James Bowen is in line to partner Constitution Hill if he is given the 'double green light' to run at the Punchestown Festival next week.
Henderson said in his Unibet blog: 'Firstly I want to say thank you to everyone for their thoughts and kind messages following Nico's fall, which we have passed onto him. He is now back at home and will need to rest. We don't know exactly when he'll be back riding but we wish him a speedy recovery.
'In the meantime we do have to make riding plans for our horses and Mark Walsh will come over to Sandown Park on Saturday to ride Jonbon.'
Having gone unbeaten in his first 10 career starts, Constitution Hill has suffered successive falls in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and the Aintree Hurdle.
Henderson has left open the option of a first trip to Ireland for the Punchestown Champion Hurdle, but a final decision on his participation has yet to be made.
Click on this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest Cheltenham Festival news and top stories from the Irish Mirror direct to your phone on WhatsApp. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
He added: 'Constitution Hill has an important gallop on Friday and he will be partnered by James Bowen. If that goes well they will school together over the weekend and if we get a double green light so to speak, then we can all head over to Punchestown. Everything hinges on how this weekend goes.'
The trainer could also send his star juvenile Lulamba to Ireland's end-of-season meeting, saying: 'Lulamba is in great form and could also head over. It's a brave shout but I'm very happy with him and James would also take the ride if we line up."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Mica Malpic gives Bolger second Connacht National triumph
For the second time in three years, Enda Bolger won the Tote Connacht National for owner JP McManus as Mica Malpic, ridden by Charlie O'Dwyer, mastered Ambitious Fellow on the run-in to land Roscommon's annual National Hunt highlight. The eight-year-old stayed on dourly from the final fence to score by a length and a quarter, the pair stretching eight lengths clear of the third, Fairyhill Run. 'It's a nice race to win and the rain definitely helped him,' said Bolger. 'We won it with Stealthy Tom two years ago and it's great to win it again. 'Charlie gave him a great ride and said his jumping was fantastic, bar the second last.' Gordon Elliott and Kevin Sexton shared a 10-1 double, sparked when Pied Piper, placed in Cheltenham's County Hurdle twice, retained his unbeaten record over fences in the Dermot Hughes Car Sales Novice Chase. The seven-year, now three-from-three over fences, by an aggregate of 70 lengths, put favourite Zenta to the sword on the final circuit and, ultimately, powered clear to triumph by 27 lengths, with Midnight Moonshine coming past a weary Zenta (8-11 favourite) in the straight. 'That was as straight-forward as you can get it, ' declared Sexton. 'He was a bit exuberant the first day in Down Royal but, now, he's brilliant — long, short, whatever you want. 'He galloped the other horse into the ground with his jumping and won really well. It's been a tough few days — I've had five seconds, so this winner is important.' Sexton delivered again in the George And Joan McCourt Memorial Beginners Chase, brining 4-1 joint-favourite Boston Rover to master long-time leader Iamagetaway at the second last for a snug five lengths success. Trainer Pat Doyle stated: 'The last time we were here, we won the Connacht National with Kaiser Black (in 2018),' after watching 6-5 favourite Brave Fortune, ridden by his son Jack, brush aside Uncle Pat in the Beginners Chase, adding: 'This is a nice horse, a real natural over a fence and, hopefully, there's a good day in him.' Runner-up to the classy Westport Cove in Ballinrobe last time, the Paul Gilligan-trained Itsalladream proved a fortunate winner of the Castlerea Beginners Chase, coming home 16 lengths clear of Encanto Bruno. In a race which saw favourite Birdie Or Bust and A Law Of her Own exit at the second, the Willie Mullins-trained Runcok (Sean Cleary Farrell) blazed the trail and was still a long way clear when crashing at the third last, leaving Itsalladream to win unchallenged. 'We were lucky winners, but Willie has won enough and this horse was second to one of his in Ballinrobe,' quipped winning trainer Gilligan. 'All the credit goes to my son Liam who does all the work with this horse at home. I suppose we'll head to Galway now, for a novice.'
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Former trainer Peter Easterby dies, aged 95
Peter Easterby, who famously trained the likes of Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse, has died at the age of 95. A member of one of the most famous racing families in Yorkshire, he trained with great success on the Flat and over jumps before retiring in 1996. He was succeeded by his son, Tim, while his brother Mick still shares a licence today with his own son, David, with many other members of the family involved in racing. Tim Easterby announced on X: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of my father Peter Easterby. "He passed away peacefully in his own home with his family by his side. "A true gentleman, legendary racehorse trainer, passionate farmer, lover of country sports and an incredibly proud father and grandfather." Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse were both dual Champion Hurdle winners, while Easterby also won two Gold Cups with Alverton in 1979 and Little Owl in 1981. Proving his versatility, Easterby sent out Sea Pigeon to win the Ebor off top weight and the Chester Cup twice, while Night Nurse finished second to Little Owl in the Gold Cup, narrowly failing to become the first horse to win the two biggest prizes at the Cheltenham Festival. Saucy Kit was another Champion Hurdle winner in 1967 for Easterby and for a time his five wins in the race were a record. His notable Flat triumphs included the Kings's Stand Stakes with Goldhill, the Gimcrack with Sonnen Gold, two Lincolns and three Ayr Gold Cups. Easterby sent out over 2,500 winners during his lengthy career and Tim Easterby is still based at Habton Grange. Jonjo O'Neill was crowned champion jockey twice in 1977-78 and 1978-79 with the help of Easterby and he was aboard Alverton for his Gold Cup success and Sea Pigeon for his 1980 Champion Hurdle win. "We had some great times together, he was great man to ride for and we were very lucky together — you could say we were a good partnership," said O'Neill. "He was a great man and a great trainer, what he did with the likes of Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse — their longevity was incredible. And to win a Gold Cup with Alverton, he didn't have great legs. "It's hard to pick out one particular race. I think the best thing you could say was that he could train a horse to win over five furlongs or 25 miles. He was just a genius and a great man to ride for. "He just understood the game and understood horses, he had a great eye for them and made it easy for everyone. He was brilliant, there was always another day in his eyes." O'Neill missed the 1981 Cheltenham Festival through injury and John Francome was called up to replace him on the then 11-year-old Sea Pigeon when he produced an ice-cool ride that went down in history. Francome said: "I saw Tim (Easterby) last Thursday up at Malton at Jack Berry's do and he said he wasn't very well then, but he was an amazing guy. "It's amazing to train 1,000 winners on the Flat and jumping, you never saw him when he wasn't smiling, he was as sharp as a tack and lovely with it — he was a charming man." Reflecting on Sea Pigeon's 1981 Champion Hurdle triumph, Francome added: "Jonjo broke his leg really badly in a fall at Bangor, so I got the call. "Peter was always relaxed. I remember going in the paddock at Cheltenham and saying 'how is he?' because I'd never ridden him out or anything, and Peter just said 'he's better than he was last year' and he was absolutely right. "I never sat down and discussed it with him. He trained him, he was the best horse and that was it. "He was an easy horse to ride and the best horse in the race by some way." Mick Easterby hailed the many training accomplishments of his brother via his website and concluded by saying: "Peter touched the lives of so many people. He will be greatly missed by the family and the many friends he made both in the racing and farming communities."
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
Former trainer Peter Easterby, winner of two Cheltenham Gold Cups, dies aged 95
A member of one of the most famous racing families in Yorkshire, he trained with great success on the Flat and over jumps before retiring in 1996. He was succeeded by his son, Tim, while his brother Mick still shares a licence today with his own son, David, with many other members of the family involved in racing. Tim Easterby announced on X: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of my father Peter Easterby. "He passed away peacefully in his own home with his family by his side. "A true gentleman, legendary racehorse trainer, passionate farmer, lover of country sports and an incredibly proud father and grandfather." Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse were both dual Champion Hurdle winners, while Easterby also won two Gold Cups with Alverton in 1979 and Little Owl in 1981. Proving his versatility, Easterby sent out Sea Pigeon to win the Ebor off top weight and the Chester Cup twice, while Night Nurse finished second to Little Owl in the Gold Cup, narrowly failing to become the first horse to win the two biggest prizes at the Cheltenham Festival. Saucy Kit was another Champion Hurdle winner in 1967 for Easterby and for a time his five wins in the race were a record. His notable Flat triumphs included the Kings's Stand Stakes with Goldhill, the Gimcrack with Sonnen Gold, two Lincolns and three Ayr Gold Cups. Easterby, a cousin of former Irish rugby players Simon and Guy Easterby, sent out over 2,500 winners during his lengthy career and Tim Easterby is still based at Habton Grange. Jonjo O'Neill was crowned champion jockey twice in 1977-78 and 1978-79 with the help of Easterby and he was aboard Alverton for his Gold Cup success and Sea Pigeon for his 1980 Champion Hurdle win. "We had some great times together, he was great man to ride for and we were very lucky together - you could say we were a good partnership," said O'Neill. "He was a great man and a great trainer, what he did with the likes of Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse - their longevity was incredible. And to win a Gold Cup with Alverton, he didn't have great legs. "It's hard to pick out one particular race. I think the best thing you could say was that he could train a horse to win over five furlongs or 25 miles. He was just a genius and a great man to ride for. "He just understood the game and understood horses, he had a great eye for them and made it easy for everyone. He was brilliant, there was always another day in his eyes." O'Neill missed the 1981 Cheltenham Festival through injury and John Francome was called up to replace him on the then 11-year-old Sea Pigeon when he produced an ice-cool ride that went down in history. Francome said: "I saw Tim [Easterby] last Thursday up at Malton at Jack Berry's do and he said he wasn't very well then, but he was an amazing guy. "It's amazing to train 1,000 winners on the Flat and jumping, you never saw him when he wasn't smiling, he was as sharp as a tack and lovely with it - he was a charming man." Reflecting on Sea Pigeon's 1981 Champion Hurdle triumph, Francome added: "Jonjo broke his leg really badly in a fall at Bangor, so I got the call. "Peter was always relaxed. I remember going in the paddock at Cheltenham and saying 'how is he?' because I'd never ridden him out or anything, and Peter just said 'he's better than he was last year' and he was absolutely right. "I never sat down and discussed it with him. He trained him, he was the best horse and that was it. "He was an easy horse to ride and the best horse in the race by some way." Mick Easterby hailed the many training accomplishments of his brother via his website and concluded by saying: "Peter touched the lives of so many people. He will be greatly missed by the family and the many friends he made both in the racing and farming communities."
