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Don’t miss Tim Dellor’s Royals column Page 63

Henderson gets set for Newbury Trainer looks ahead to the Ladbrokes Winter Carnival

By LIAM HEADD liam.headd@newburynews.co.uk @liamh_nwn

SEVEN Barrows trainer Nicky Henderson labelled the Ladbrokes Winter Car- nival Gallops morning as ‘ideal preparation’ ahead of the two-day showpiece at Newbury. The Ladbrokes Winter Car- nival returns to Newbury Racecourse in just over a week’s time, with both Friday and Saturday expected be at full capacity. Ahead of the Carnival, the racecourse held their annual gallopsmorning andwelcomed a lot of their members back with plenty of horses on show, including Enrilo, Epatante and Clan Des Obeaux . “To be able to come here is fantastic, the timing is perfect and it’s an ideal preparation for the Ladbrokes weekend,” said Henderson.

only Ladbrokes Trophy entry, but Mister Coffey, Jonbon and On The Blind Side will all run over the weekend. Epatante , who was also part of the travelling team to New- bury on Tuesday, will line up once again in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle – the same day as the Ladbrokes Trophy. “I thought she was great – she was in great form and she has been working very well. “She will go to Newcastle again and we have ironed out a few things since last year,” he said. “Her back has always been her problem and it’s what we have concentrated on.” The trainer confirmed that Champ will miss the Betfair Chase at Haydock and instead run in the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree next month.

“All credit to Newbury and Keith [Ottesen] because they have given us some beautiful ground which has helped be- cause we haven’t been able to get on the grass at home as I haven’t got the watering sys- tem they have. “There are a lot of good rac- es across the weekend. “ Epatante goes north to Newcastle, but hopefully the rest of them will be at New- bury and it’s a great opportu- nity to get them ready for it. “It’s a big weekend, it’s prob- ably our favourite weekend be- cause it’s local and it is always a friendly crowd with a great atmosphere.” Brave Eagle is Henderson’s

Nicky Henderson watches from the side as some of his horses get to work

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Robinson proud of fighting spirit CHARACTER and work ethic was something that manager Danny Robinson was quick to praise, de- spite Hungerford Town’s 4-3 home defeat to Ebbsfleet United on Saturday.

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The game was tied at 1-1 at half-time, but Sefa Kahraman, Dominic Poleon and Alfie Egan punished Hungerford in the second-half as they raced into a 4-1 lead. However, Hungerford brought it back to 4-3 and gave Ebbsfleet an almighty scare. “Everyone in the Nation- al League South knows that Hungerford Town is full of character and a team who has incredible work ethic,” admit- ted Robinson. “For 20 minutes Ebbsfleet just blew us away. “They were absolutely qual- ity and I don’t think we got near them in the period after half-time. “It shows you what you can do in this league,” he added. “They are a terrific side and in my opinion I believe they are the best side we have faced. “I hate praising after a de- feat, but to come back and almost nick something at the end shows that ‘never-say-die’ attitude.” It’s now back-to-back de-

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Sol Wanjau-Smith (right) fights for the ball

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feats for the Crusaders and the manager is backing his side to bounce back at St Albans on Saturday. “You have to have that grit, determination and willingness to go through a brick wall and our season won’t be defined by playing Ebbsfleet. “This league has a funny way and when you lose one, lose two then we have to try against St Albans. “What a game to try and get back on it,” said Robinson. “They are in the second round of the FA Cup, they’re flying in the league and they are a top side.”

After the St Albans game, Hungerford host Welling United in the FA Trophy with a place in the third round on offer. Town beat Welling 4-1 back in August, but Robinson knows it will be a different game. “Home fixtures are impor- tant for Hungerford, but this will be a completely different game and they have picked up some good form,” he said. “It will be a tight affair and hopefully a cracking cup tie, but we’ll focus on that after the St Albans game.”

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