Nicky Henderson’s world record purchase runs at Huntingdon
Nicky Henderson said the vet checked his novice chaser before the start (Image: Getty Images)
All eyes will be on Palladium when he makes his debut over hurdles at Huntingdon on Thursday.
The €1.4million purchase has joined Nicky Henderson after winning the German Derby at Hamburg last July and looks set to be aimed at the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham before a campaign back on the flat this summer.
His new owner, Lady Bamford, sponsors the Triumph Hurdle through construction equipment manufacturers JCB.
He makes his hurdling debut in division two of the Pertemps Network Maiden Hurdle at 12.47pm.
Henderson said: “He schooled and worked Monday morning and he was really good.
“I’ve run out of juvenile hurdles for him. Kempton was off, so Lulamba had to switch to Ascot and I don’t want to go to Cheltenham with him first time out for obvious reasons.
“Let him start quietly and have a nice time. I don’t know if he will have a nice time, he’s got to prove it there. I fully realise that all eyes will be on him, but we’ve just got to get on and do our job.
“I don’t think I’ve had one with that price tag before, but we’re very happy with him, we’re ready to go.
“There’s no comparison at all with him and Lulamba – he’s going to be a strapping chaser, hopefully.
“We’ll have to cross the bridges as we go, Lulamba is an all-out chaser but Palladium is to go back on the Flat. We’ll have a look at the Triumph if that is suitable, but if not we’ll head back to the Flat, I’ve always thought the Hardwicke (at Royal Ascot) or something like that would be suitable.
“You have to remember, he is still a colt!”
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