3 minute read
Jockey Brendan Powell is looking forward to getting back on board JPR One in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown on Saturday.
JPR One looked booked for an impressive success prior to his final fence departure in the Grade 2 SSS Super Alloys Arkle Trial Novices' Chase at Cheltenham last month and Powell, who will be seeking a first victory at the top-level, cannot wait to be reunited with the exciting Joe Tizzard-trained six-year-old.
Powell said: "I'm really looking forward to riding JPR One again as he looked like he was going to be an impressive winner at Cheltenham before making a mistake and getting rid of me at the last fence.
"This is a race that will take a bit of winning, but I wouldn't want to be on any other horse bar him and hopefully I can make up for what happened at Cheltenham on Saturday.
"I think I've been second in seven or eight Grade 1, but I don't think I've ridden in a Grade 1 where I've had a proper live chance, but this weekend I do and that makes it even more exciting.
"It is something I want to get on my CV, and it is something I want to achieve before I finish my career.
Powell insists it would mean much more if he could share that moment with Milborne Port handler Tizzard, who celebrated numerous top-level triumphs during his own career in the saddle.
"To win a Grade 1 for Joe would mean just as much to me as winning a Grade 1 for myself. I think Joe was a big influence on me riding for the Tizzard team again.
"I'll always be grateful to him for that and to repay him with a Grade 1 win would be amazing."
Although falling at the final fence at Cheltenham last time, Powell has been pleased with JPR One's start to life in the chasing sphere.
He added: "That was the frustrating thing as he didn't put a foot wrong the whole way around at Cheltenham. He jumped and travelled and quickened well turning in. He has got all the attributes to be a good horse.
"He gave me a good spin at Newton Abbot on his debut over fences and I was quite surprised the price he was that day as well. He was seriously well handicapped that day if he came back to form over fences.
"The most important thing for our novice chasers is that they have a nice time and a good experience first time over fences. He did that, and managed to win as well, which was a bonus.
"Hopefully on Saturday he should be good enough to be there, or thereabouts, at the backend of the race then I suppose it will be then when we find out if he is good enough."
"He has got a good head on his shoulders, and I don't think the mishap will have done him any harm at all.
"I've never been one to get too carried away, but we think the world of him. He has still got to go and prove it, but fingers crossed he can."
JPR One is a general 7/4 market leader to give Joe Tizzard and Brendan Powell a first Grade 1 success in the Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown on Saturday.