HENRI DANGER

Nicholls can reign again with gelding

- GARRY OWEN'S VERDICT

FROM PUNTER FRONT wind surgery after a weak seventh to Sam Brown at Newbury in March.

The bay cruised home from Scarface in this term's Badger Ales at Wincanton. The bold galloper has been given time to recover so can continue his revival dropped in grade.

POURQUOI PAS PAPA (12:15) can keep Paul Nicholls on song in the opening maiden hurdle. The gelding earned a switch to Ditcheat with second to Parchment at Clairefontaine.

He was unlucky to encounter the classy Macktoad on his UK bow over course and distance.

That is excellent form so the four-year-old can get the better of some promising opponents.

The trainer can reign again with HENRI THE SECOND (1:15) in Unibet Seniors' Hurdle. The 10-year-old handled this track well when slamming Henry's Friend in a Grade 2 in 2023.

However, he began to lose his way after a lacklustre fourth to Rock My Way at Cheltenham.

The gelding relished returning here when coasting home from Up For Parol over three miles. Not as good after, he can resume winning ways down in class.