Go Girl!
Thu 29 Sep 2022
WINNER 113 OF 2022: GO CHIQUE, trained by Nicky Henderson OBE and ridden by Nico de Boinville: The 'Educate Group Handicap Hurdle' over 2m 7f at Bangor-On-Dee.
After 156 days off for her summer break; our daughter of Crillon looked a picture in the paddock. With Nico taking the trip to Bangor, just for the one ride, all eyes though, were on the hot favourite trained by Donald McCain.
Setting off and tracking the leaders, she went 2nd at the 8th hurdle. After Nico asked her to quicken, she moved into the lead after 3 from home. Striding out nicely, she quickened clear before the last, which she jumped with ears pricked, going on to win comfortably, by 2 and a 1/4 lengths.
"In the Middleham Park silks, for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville, Go Chique wins on her return." Watch the race replay here: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Bangor-On-Dee/28-September-2022/1536
Nico was very pleased in his interview with Matt Chapman after the race, saying: "The boss had her spot on and she's a brave mare. The course have done a great job with the ground and hopefully, there's more to come from her this season."
She was The Racing Post 'Star performer': "Go Chique (3.36) produced a likeably straightforward success."
See the official photos, here: https://www.sdphotos.co.uk/view/830825
Timeform have given her a career best rating of 119+, saying: "After 6 months off, got back on the up returned to calmer waters, worth pointing out all 3 of her wins have come in steadily-run races on similar ground; chased leaders, not fluent 4 out, led soon after 3 out, shaken up approaching next, went clear before last, ridden out"
Read the story, here: https://www.racingpost.com/news/race-reports/sting-to-the-face-no-problem-as-nico-de-boinville-strikes-on-only-ride/581145
Syndicate manager Tom says: "Well done to her owners, on her 4th win. I said to them yesterday morning in my race preview that she goes well fresh and she certainly endorsed that! Thank you to Nicky for getting her in great shape after her break and even though Nico's face was still swollen from his wasp sting the day before, he managed to steer her superbly! It's early in the jumps season, but our last 6 NH runners have finished 1st, 1st, 5th, 1st, 2nd and 1st"
We have thanked Josh Apiafi for his very kind words about us on Sky Sports Racing, when he said "Middleham Park are the leaders in syndicates and they do a great service to our sport."