Henderson leaves six in Tote race

Nicky Henderson`s desire to maintain his near monopoly of the Tote Gold Trophy was made clear when it was revealed that he is responsible for six of the 52 horses in the Stg#110,000 handicap, weights for which were revealed today.

The trainer has won the Newbury hurdle race in three of the last four years, striking in 1998 with Sharpical, 1999 with Geos and last year with Landing Light.

All three winners were ridden by stable jockey Mick Fitzgerald.

Martin Pipe`s Valiramix heads the weights for the February 9th contest on 12st with stablemate Magnus on 11-13. There is then a yawning gap back to Hors La Loi III (11-2), Mr Cool (10-13) and Brother Joe (10-13).

With the top two considered doubtful starters, that would lead to a weights rise of at least 10lb, bringing plenty of lower-weighted contenders into the handicap proper.

One of Henderson`s sextet is 1999 Triumph Hurdle runner-up Regal Exit who has been allotted 9-11, a weight which his trainer described as 'very interesting'.

Tysou (10-2) is set to take the same route as last year`s winner Landing Light, and is being aimed at the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton later this month before a final decision is taken over Newbury.

Lady Boston (9-7) is another possibility for the big race.

Henderson`s other possible representatives are Dark Shell (9-4), Got One Too (9-6) and Deoch An Dorais (8-6).

Brother Joe is unlikely to make the step down in trip to take up his engagement, according to owner Sir Robert Ogden`s racing manager Barry Simpson.

Other interesting entries for the Tote Gold Trophy are Marble Arch (10-5), who now looks sure to bypass the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown this month, northern challengers Telemoss (10-5) and Dibea Times (9-9), and up-and-coming novice In Contrast (9-2).