Aston Martini aiming to spark Sandown celebrations

Aston Martini has the chance to continue Nicky Henderson’s fine run of form and take Listed glory when she lines up in the Try Unibet’s New Smartview Racecards Mares’ Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday.

Owned by the late Henry Ponsonby’s HP Racing syndicates, the six-year-old has always shown plenty of ability, winning her first three outings in bumper and hurdles company.

Wins since have been trickier to find, but she was a handy runner-up at Bangor on her penultimate start and although failing to figure at Newbury in a red-hot Gerry Feilden, connections were encouraged by her finishing effort ahead of this return to an intermediate distance.

“We very much hope it’s a nice race for Aston Martini and I think her last run at Newbury, the trip was too sharp for her really, they went a really quick pace early on which took her off her feet a bit,” said Liz Rutter, racing manager for the syndicate.

“She was running on at the end so I think it is sensible to go back up in trip, it was always Nicky’s plan. Being a mare, we’re always looking for a bit of black type for her and this could be a good opportunity.

“It is great to see Nicky’s horses running so well and we hope she can continue that form for him. It’s our first runner of the year and it’s exciting and we really like her, she’s a beautiful mare who is still learning the game. We hope there is still lots to come and one day I think she will be going novice chasing, but I don’t know when – we just love her.”

Bred by the Aston family’s Goldford Stud – who count Cheltenham Festival winner Riverside Theatre among the best of their homebreds – Rutter explained how Aston Martini’s fitting name came to fruition and how it would be a poignant success at Sandown following Richard Aston’s death in 2023.

“We call her our supermodel because she has big, long legs and her name came about because we lease her from the Astons,” continued Rutter.

“We put forward some names and the late Richard Aston loved this one and chose it, so it all seemed rather apt. It would be lovely for Sally Aston and their son Charlie Aston if she could run well.”

The likely favourite for the race is Clive Boultbee-Brooks’ Della Casa Lunga, who was seen in winning form at Kempton over the Christmas period and is backed up for a tilt at this valuable prize just eight days later.

“The race has come sooner than we would have liked, but it’s right-handed and the ground will suit and the trip will suit, everything is right about the race really,” said Boultbee-Brooks.

“There aren’t too many options after it, so I think we will have a crack at Sandown and then give her a bit of a chill until February/March time. She’s in good form and you have got to have a go for black type.”

Della Casa Lunga’s winning effort at Kempton came over three miles, but her handler has few concerns about dropping back in distance with his versatile seven-year-old.

Boultbee-Brooks added: “I think Sandown being soft and the race being up the hill twice, it’s sort of a stayers’ track so I don’t think the drop in trip matters. On that course and in the ground, I think she will be absolutely fine.”