‘Nothing pretty about it’ – Nicky Henderson’s most expensive jumps horse in the world wins on debut after massive drift

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NICKY HENDERSON’S most expensive jumps horse in the world won on debut – but punters said there was ‘nothing pretty about it’.

Palladium, who was bought for £1.2million, was a massive market drifter before the start of a 2m maiden hurdle at Huntingdon.

Nicky Henderson on a phone call at Huntingdon Racecourse.
A happy Nicky Henderson was delighted with Palladium’s debut – and confirmed the Triumph Hurdle is still very much the plan for the world’s most expensive jumps horse

Owned by billionaire Lady Bamford, Palladium, who was getting weight from all his rivals, ballooned one or two hurdles and was made to work by jockey Nico de Boinville in the closing stages.

Ben Pauling’s 50-1 runner-up Wolf Moon got within a couple of lengths by the line with the well-backed Jack Hyde a further eight-and-a-half lengths back.

Palladium, who won the German Derby last summer, was 2-9 at morning prices but had gone all the way out to 8-15 by the off.

And bookies Paddy Power pushed him out from 12-1 to 16s for the Triumph Hurdle after his debut win, unconvinced he has what it takes to win at the Cheltenham Festival.

Henderson has the current Triumph favourite in the shape of 6-4 Lulamba.

Commenting on Palladium’s win, Racing TV host Anthony Dunkley said: “Palladium has won but there was nothing pretty about it.

“Was it polished? No. Was it professional? Enough to get off the mark.”

But Hendo was happier and confirmed the horse is likely to go for the Grade 2 Adonis Hurdle at Kempton on February 22 before heading to the Triumph.

He said: “Having got this far we might as well look at the Triumph!

“Our first take of that run is that another run would do him good and The Adonis is the obvious place to go.

“If he and Lulamba have to run against each other in the Triumph then they have to – it might be a shrewd move, you never know.

“But Palladium’s jumping was slick, he’ll have learned a hell of a lot and he’ll have enjoyed it too.”