Nicky Henderson Confirms Sandown and Punchestown Jockey Arrangements With Nico de Boinville Sidelined

After Nico de Boinville suffered a nasty fall at Plumpton on Easter Monday, this left jockey arrangements for some upcoming Nicky Henderson big rides – that included Jonbon and Constitution Hill – up in the air.

However, after a few days of social media fans speculating who will get the leg-up – via his Unibet blog, Nicky Henderson has now confirmed the riders for his main horses.

Mark Walsh Will Ride Jonbon In Saturday’s Celebration Chase at Sandown

Top Irish jockey Mark Walsh is no stranger to riding the famous green and gold JP McManus silks – as he’s their main retained rider in Ireland.

So, with Walsh making the trip over to Sandown on Saturday – it’s no shock to see Nicky Henderson and McManus snapping up the Gold Cup-winning jockey to ride Jonbon, with Nico de Boinville out injured.

Walsh has already ventured over to the UK many times this season with great success – with his biggest win coming in the 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup on the Gavin Cromwell-trained Inothewayurthinkin, who is also owned by JP McManus.

It will, however, be the first time Mark Walsh has ridden Jonbon in a race – with Nico de Boinville, Aidan Coleman, James Bowen and Derek O’Connor the four others to have ridden this year’s Aintree Melling Chase winner (watch below).

The Celebration Chase is the joint-most jumps finale prize money on offer on Saturday’s card – with £99,663 going to the winner so this could be a nice payday for Walsh.

Despite flopping in the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival after an early bad mistake, he’s since bounced back to win at Aintree and heads to Sandown having won the Celebration Chase for the last two seasons.

Jonbon has won 18 of his 22 career starts, 10 Grade one races and amassed £1,345,168 in total prize money.

Henderson also has Kientzheim entered at Sandown (1:50pm) on Saturday for JP – but it’s not known at this stage if Walsh will also get the leg-up here – but you’d like to think so if making the final declarations.

James Bowen Will Partner Constitution Hill and Lulamba At Punchestown

Nicky Henderson also revealed that James Bowen, who he often turns to when Nico de Boinville is not around, has been given the call to ride Constitution Hill and Lulamba – if the pair head to the Punchestown Festival.

The five-day meeting starts on Tuesday 29th April and after falling in his last two races Henderson has said since Aintree that the Boodles Champion Hurdle on Friday 2nd May would be his next target.

He added that a lot will rest on how Constitution Hill schools on Friday and then with Bowen on him again at the weekend at Seven Barrows – if they get through this, then it’s all systems go to Punchestown.

If running, he could take on State Man, Lossiemouth, Brighterdaysahead and this year’s Champion Hurdle winner Golden Ace.

Up until now – Constitution Hill has been ridden in all his races under rules by Nico de Boinville.

Triumph Hurdle runner-up Lulamba is reported in ‘great form’ too and Henderson has also said he could head over this Constitution Hill.

Adding “It’s a brave shout but I’m very happy with him and James would also take ride if we line-up”

Lulamba’s Punchestown target is the Grade One Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle on Saturday 3rd May. He could take on the horse that beat him at Cheltenham Poniros, as well as Hello Neighbour.

James Bowen’s brother Sean won the Irish Grand National on Easter Monday on the Rebecca Curtis-trained Haiti Couleurs.

Nico de Boinville On The Mend, But Expected To Be Sidelined For Many Weeks

The 35 year-old rider Nico de Boinville suffered a nasty fall at Plumpton on Easter Monday and after spending the night in the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton was sent home on Tuesday.

“Nico is fine and he will be on his way home today, hopefully he is all good,” said De Boinville’s agent Sam Stronge.

“He got a nasty fall, but I’ve spoken to him this morning and he’s set to go home today (Tuesday) and we’ll know more in the next few days.”

However, the tumble has ruled de Boinville out of riding in the final week of the British jumps season – which ends at Sandown on Saturday – and also next week’s Punchestown Festival.

With the domestic jumping campaign drawing to a close and the focus switching to the flat and summer jumps – it’s more likely de Boinville will use this time to recover fully and be back properly later in the year.