By Harry Allwood at Seven Barrows
With 72 Cheltenham Festival wins to his name, Nicky Henderson is the most successful British trainer at Jump racing's Olympics, and it will be a surprise if he does not add to that tally this year, with Constitution Hill headlining his powerful squad.
The unbeaten superstar was a sensational winner of the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle last year and is a best-priced 4-11 to win the Unibet Champion Hurdle, while Henderson also has strong claims of landing the Sporting Life Arkle with Jonbon on day one.
Speaking at a media morning hosted by The Jockey Club at his Seven Barrows yard on Monday morning, the six-time champion Jumps trainer discussed his team for this next month's Cheltenham Festival.
Racing TV presenter Anthony Dunkley also spoke to Henderson about his leading lights, so look out for that interview on the channel soon.
Just look at Constitution Hill š
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 13, 2023
Nicky Hendersonās superstar looks a picture @sevenbarrows this morning āļø
š Five runs
š„ Five wins
š G1 Christmas Hurdle
š G1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle
š G1 Supreme Novices' Hurdle
š G1 Tolworth Hurdle@TheJockeyClub pic.twitter.com/BuZNKt5QW8
AHORSEWITHNONAME
Race: Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle.
Sheās in good form and sheāll go back for that race. She was second in it last year and sheās still a novice ā quite how Iāve managed that Iāve absolutely no idea!
Last time went wrong for her (at Wincanton) but sheās doing plenty.
ATTACCA
Race: Ballymore Novicesā Hurdle.
Attacca runs at Ascot this weekend. He probably wouldnāt mind quick ground, but he'd have to win well to go for the Ballymore.
BALCO COASTAL
Race: Turners Novicesā Chase.
I would run Balco Coastal. He didnāt do much wrong the other day and I think thereās some improvement to come. He had a right old blow and I thought heād gone and won the race to be honest with you. It looks quite a good division, but I think heās entitled to have a go in the Turners.
I think he just got outstayed at Sandown, weāve quickened up really well from the bend to the second last and heās just come at him again a little bit. We might wait a little bit longer (before committing) next time but he loves being up there and he jumps really well. I should think heād go for that.
BUZZ
Race: Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle.
Hereās BUZZ š@sevenbarrows | @TheJockeyClub | @jessstafford š pic.twitter.com/Caca3cmfno
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 13, 2023
Heās in good form and heās going well, but Iām not going to get a run into him before it though. I got him ready for the Cesarewitch on the back of an absence. We were very happy with him on Saturday and heās in fine form.
It was a horrible injury, but itās not impossible that heād run. Weāve got Marieās Rock potentially for that race as well, but we certainly havenāt ruled him out yet. Heād have to have a racecourse gallop and Iād love to have been able to go to Newbury last week rather than wait for Kempton a fortnight before ā as Iād rather do it on grass to be honest.
Thereās a fractured pelvis and thereās a fractured pelvis and that was horrible. Itās been a long road and thereās been a lot of people involved, he went to do some dressage to try and build him up but you can see heās very lopsided and very dropped on one side. He moved beautifully on Saturday, and he schooled the other day for the first time, and it had no effect on that. I would have thought that Aintree would be the sensible route I must admit, but you never know.
To get him back will be a pretty amazing thing on its own whatever happens, but we wonāt do it unless heās 101% as it wouldnāt be fair on him. It would probably be unfair to go to Cheltenham first time out to be honest with you, three miles up and down those hills after youāve had an injury like that wouldnāt be the most sensible thing to do.
He was about to run in the Long Walk before he went wrong and he stays two and a quarter miles on the flat. Heās won over two and a half miles so youād think he stays three.
CITY CHIEF
Race: National Hunt Chase.
I donāt think City Chief is ready for it ā I think he needs another year.
He was great at Wetherby, and the time before. Heās learning but heās got a bit more to learn and I donāt want him in there this year. He will be there, heās going the right way all the time but no. He has an entry but Iād rather not.
CONSTITUTION HILL
Race: Unibet Champion Hurdle.
ā¤ļø Constitution Hill saying hello to his fan club @sevenbarrows this morning āŗļø
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/RacingTV/status/1625087996029554689?refsrc=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2023
An incredible racehorse with an incredible temperament ā¤ļø @TheJockeyClub | @FrancescaJanex pic.twitter.com/vY3tfujFvO
Constitution Hill might go for that one! Heās fine and everything has been going great. He worked on Saturday, and heās got a couple of more bits to do and we will look to have an away day.
We usually go to Kempton. I would be thinking Newbury but the ground is too quick there at the moment anyways so I donāt think weāll use that one. Unless the weather changes dramatically weāll have to see if we can go to Kempton. Iād like Constitution to have a gallop and thereās a few that Iād like to get an away day into.
I think weāre a week early this year, I normally say that weāre just two or three weeks away at these previews but this time itās four weeks to go. A week is a long time with a horse never mind four, thatās an eternity. This is the first of the previews and this goes on now until the start of the meeting.
Youād have to say heās been round the track and broken records, so heās done most things youād want to see, and he hasnāt done anything wrong. Thereās plenty that can go wrong though and thatās the biggest issue. We all know that between now and the start of the festival, that most days there will be news breaking that someone is out of the running, and we just have to keep our fingers crossed that weāre going to get a clean run.
The Contenders Hurdle was lovely, but I think they got fed up with me! It was only worth Ā£25,000 or so but Iād have liked to have run him. I was actually going to have an open day and let people come and see him gallop, but when I thought about it, I thought Iād get quite the crowd and Iād have nowhere to put them! I donāt think itās feasible unfortunately.
Weāre going to have to be careful here as our ground is just drying up. He worked on the grass on Saturday, and it was fine, but I donāt want to go up there tomorrow. Thereās no rain forecast at all.
It would be fantastic to win the Champion Hurdle for Michael Buckley. Heās been with me an awful long time and weāve had great times together, both highs and lows. Heās had a lot of good horses actually, but heās also had some horrible luck on the way with what were going to be good horses that didnāt make it. I thought Spirit Son was going to be a world beater and he sadly died from an accident while he was on holiday, so various things have gone right and wrong. Weāve had some wonderful times with the likes of Finian's Rainbow and Brain Power, but this is an extraordinary animal. His greatest asset is his head ā not that itās the prettiest ā but his whole mind game is brilliant. Not even you guys could frighten him!
His racing game is brilliant. You could go three miles with him because youād just switch him off and put him to sleep and then wait until you get the right moment and press the button. It really is as simple as that.
I could see him going over fences, without a doubt. That will be a decision for over the summer. If you go back to when we had Altior and he had won the Supreme with Buveur DāAir third. We sat down to work out what we were going to do, and I said to Pat Pugh that we could win the Champion Hurdle if we stay over timber, but it would be too late to go chasing with him if we waited another year.
We schooled him over fences and there was no doubt that he was a chaser, while in the meantime we went chasing as well with Buveur and he didnāt find it as easy. He was hurdling his fences which isnāt the best way to go about it, so we switched him around and we went on to win two Champion Hurdles. You could go chasing with Constitution Hill and you can go as far as you like. Weāll see, but letās just get through this first. If everything goes right, youād like to think heād go from Cheltenham onto Aintree.
Weāve got a proper challenger in State Man, and I can see their point with Honeysuckle to be fair. Both of her runs would suggest that sheās just not quite where she was last year, so it would make sense to go for the Maresā Hurdle. Having got a couple of mares of our own ā two or three maybe ā Iād probably prefer her in the Champion Hurdle! Sheās been great for the game and most people would like to see her going out in style by winning the Maresā, but Iām afraid Iām not going to be overly popular with my thoughts on that!
Heās doing freakish things, but heās only had five runs in his life and you have to remember that itās very early days in his career. Normally when youāre coming to a Champion Hurdle youāre doing so on the back of between 10-12 races or something, so itās hard to gauge really apart from the fact heās done nothing wrong.
Heās got an awful long way to go before I start saying things like heās the best horse Iāve ever had ā it took me 10 years to say that about Sprinter Sacre! There is competition and thereās a new kid on the block.
CALL ME LORD
Race: Coral Cup.
The handicaps donāt close for another week so we havenāt done them yet. Weāve started to think about it. Call Me Lord is Pertemps qualified but whether heād get three miles around Cheltenham Iām not so sure, so the Coral Cup would be more his thing.
CHAMP
Race: --
He goes straight to Aintree. He loves to be fresh and heās going to go straight to the Liverpool Hurdle.
EPATANTE
Race: Unibet Champion Hurdle or Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (needs to be supplemented).
āSheās a real sweetieā ā¤ļø - Nicky Henderson
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 13, 2023
Epatante at @sevenbarrows this morning š@TheJockeyClub pic.twitter.com/yaVhs23YSJ
We donāt know with Epatante at the moment, sheāll run in that (Champion Hurdle) or the Maresā Hurdle. Weāll keep an eye on the weather but theyāve all got to get there ā as does Constitution Hill himself.
We proved at Aintree last year that she stays the two and a half miles, she won very easily that day. It was great to see her win like she did at Doncaster the other day and she was very impressive. I know sheās beaten nothing, but sheās shown what Constitution Hill is beating.
All she did the other day was confirm how good Constitution Hill is, if he keeps slamming her by those distances and she can still come out and beat her own playmates as easily as she did. I thought she was superb the other day and she jumped beautifully.
Itās 50-50 whether she goes to the Champion Hurdle or the Maresā Hurdle, but just because she isnāt listed at the moment doesnāt mean she isnāt going.
FIRST STREET
Race: Unibet Champion Hurdle or McCoy Contractors Handicap Hurdle.
First Street is still in the Champion Hurdle and he goes to the Kingwell Hurdle on Saturday, which I think will be a good race for him. He had 12 stone in the Betfair Hurdle, so the Kingwell will suit him better. Heād have to win very impressively to go to the Champion but Iām not sure what else he could go for. I suppose you could go for the County Hurdle, but weāll see.
I feel sorry for First Street who was second to State Man in the County Hurdle last year. What an unfair thing to do to unleash that in the County Hurdle last year!
JET POWERED
Race: --
Jet Powered wonāt run in the Supreme. He is fine but whether he runs again this season or not Iām not too sure, we may look at going to Aintree with him. He was disappointing (at Newbury on New Yearās Eve) so we may just have to wait until next year. It wasnāt the trip (which caused him problems last time), heās a quick horse and heād be a two-mile horse.
The novice hurdlers have been our weaker department this year. Weāve a nice bunch but theyāre just not quite ready. The rest are alright, though.
JONBON
Race: Sporting Life Arkle Novicesā Chase.
š£ āWeāre going to get a little bit more weight off!ā š¤£
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 13, 2023
Nicky Henderson takes a closer look at Jonbonās condition to show that he still has plenty of work to do ahead of the Cheltenham Festival! pic.twitter.com/moMF05YpYH
I think as we said (at the weekend), Iād take the positives out of Saturday and not the negatives. As you saw when they turned down the back straight, I think Aidan (Coleman) had taken his foot off things and let him get into a nice rhythm and a roll and didnāt see any reason to start going any quicker.
Iām not saying Aidan was asleep but all of a sudden this thing swooped round like a buzzard ā whoosh! ā and just caught him unaware and the next thing we were four lengths down.
I think it will have done him good personally, he had a really good blow like heās never done before and Iām going to take positives. It wasnāt pretty to watch ā in fact it was bloody awful from where I was watching because it frightened the living daylights out of me! ā but he jumped very well and eventually heās quickened up and won nicely. He ought to have done to be fair because on his previous performances heād have beaten him by a long way.
I wanted a lead and thatās the first time heās jumped a fence behind another horse. It didnāt worry him but it did just hurry him a bit. A sharp two miles at Warwick just caught him out for a couple of fences and then he had to chase him around the bend but he got there and did it well in the end.
I spoke to JP (McManus, owner) and everyone and weāre looking at it as a good wake up call for everybody. He will be sharper for it and he had a good old blow, AP (McCoy) went to Warwick and he comes down here a lot. He said to me that he looked fantastically well but he looked ready to go to the show ring and not the racecourse and he perhaps just needed it a little more than we anticipated.
The Arkle will be Helter Skelter and theyāll go a good gallop, but he can go a good gallop as well. Heās made it in his other two runs just because heās sharp, heās quick and heās a good jumper ā thatās why I was quite keen to get a lead. It probably was a good thing the others werenāt there as they mightāve beaten him, but heās back and heās fine and weāre just going to get on normally. Iād better just sharpen my pencil and get some more work done.
El Fabiolo was good at the Dublin Racing Festival, in what looked a strong race. I think Jonbon drifting in the market was fair and having watched it I was pretty sure he probably would. He doesnāt know his price and Iām not worried about that, though.
LUCCIA
Race: Sky Bet Supreme Novicesā Hurdle or Ryanair Mares Novicesā Hurdle.
The unbeaten Luccia in good form following her impressive victory @ExeterRaces yesterday š¤©
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 13, 2023
It looks as though sheās still raring to go š
Which race would you run her in at the Cheltenham Festival - Ryanair Maresā Novicesā Hurdle or the @SkyBet Supreme Novicesā Hurdle? š¤ pic.twitter.com/FM4ezLFiaz
I donāt know yet, but Luccia ought to run in the Maresā Novicesā Hurdle. She was impressive at Exeter.
Nico was tempted (by the Supreme) but I think the betting tells you what weāve got to do. We did put her in it, which I thought was ambitious at the time anyways, but we donāt have to decide now. I would be in favour of sticking with the maresā race, I must admit.
Iāll speak to the owners nearer to the time, but Iām not going to throw it out. If there was a forfeit stage, youād leave her in, but I canāt believe youād throw away the maresā race. Iām not saying she would win that, but at least you know youāve got a very good chance of winning that.
I do like winning the Supreme as it helps the week go by, as the pressure is off before you begin, but we havenāt got anything else. Jet Powered wonāt go there, but weāll see with Luccia. Weāll have a look when we get there ā but I canāt believe itās the right thing to do personally.
Probably the only thing that would sway me (in favour of the Supreme) would be the ferries with Willieās horses on board getting stuck due to Brexit or bad weather! Willie and myself are the best mates in the world and I love him to bits, but I could do this week without him!
When I was going into that race with the likes of Altior and Shishkin, I really was confident. When you were here the year Altior won it and Min was the big talking horse from their camp and all I could think was good luck Min because he wonāt beat this one. I canāt say that this time in this context, however.
MARIE'S ROCK
Race: Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle or Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle.
Marieās Rock wasnāt too keen on posing for photos in front of the media this morning, so was given permission by Nicky Henderson to stand away from the crowd! š@sevenbarrows | @TheJockeyClub pic.twitter.com/tHd3IXVaZy
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 13, 2023
Sheās in very good form and itās certainly possible that she could move up and run in the Stayersā Hurdle. Iāve discussed it with Tom Palin (Middleham Park Racing) and thereās no doubt weāll discuss it more, it certainly wonāt be a decision that weāll make in the near future.
There are a few contenders around. Iād say the biggest danger Teahupoo and youāve got to always respect dear old Paisley Park. There isnāt a standout. In the Maresā youāre going to have Epatante and Honeysuckle and we might even have Theatre Glory, so there is a bit to be said for at least considering the Stayersā Hurdle, but we can sit on that.
Itās tempting to go for the Stayersā Hurdle. I know I was saying with the filly (Luccia) Iād want to take the easier option and go for the Maresā Novice, but I donāt think the Stayersā is any more difficult with her getting the 7lbs. I know sheās never run over three miles but she won the Relkeel Hurdle on New Yearās Day and she stayed very well. I thought she was very impressive that day and she flew up the hill, so sheās fit and well and itās something weāll consider.
MISTER COFFEY
Race: National Hunt Chase.
Mister Coffey will go to the National Hunt Chase. Derek (OāConnor) will ride him at The Festival. He was a bit disappointed to be beaten (at Uttoxeter) but, to be fair, we wanted to make the running and we had a false start, and a standing start, and the trouble is he stayed standing!
Then he got caught horribly wide the whole way round. I thought he should have won really but thatās that. We got a good run into him and he ran a nice race, and this is what weāve been aiming at all along.
PERSIAN TIME
Race: Ballymore Novices' Hurdle.
He also runs at Ascot this weekend. The ground is going to be a worry, but heād have to win well to go for the Ballymore.
SHISHKIN
Race: Ryanair Chase.
Nicky Henderson: Are you going to win the Ryanair Chase now, Shishkin? š¤
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 13, 2023
Shishkin: pic.twitter.com/YWzZqzSYdL
He goes to Ascot (on Saturday, for the Grade One Betfair Chase) and after that, ask Matt Chapman! He tells me Iām a plonker. Iāve nothing for the Champion Chase, unless Matt Chapman is right and Iām a complete so and so for not entering Shishkin. Weāll find that out on Saturday.
Itās an open Champion Chase and he probably should have been in it, but I was impressed with Gary Mooreās horse at Cheltenham to be fair (Editeur Du Gite). Edwardstone looked as though heād come and won his race, but it does look more open for that result.
Shishkin has been racing as though he wants further to my eye. I hope Iām right, otherwise Iām going to be doing an awful lot more supplementing. Iāve got plenty to do as it is thank you very much! Shishkin is also in the Cheltenham Gold Cup but I wouldnāt have thought heād go for that.
You could say that Ascot left a mark on him last year, it was a tough race. You donāt really like to see horses racing off the bridle for so long and thatās what heās done the last twice. I want to see him on the bridle and itās got to be better for him.
I think the ground at Ascot is Good. Itās only Newbury who canāt water as far as Iām aware so hopefully Ascot have done. If it was too quick heād have to go to Cheltenham without a run, but I hope it wonāt be. It doesnāt look as though we will get any rain so it will have to be man-made.
The flipped palate could have affected him last time and I think weāll probably put a tongue tie on him as well. It certainly makes a case for Matt Chapman! Maybe I am wrong.
I feel sorry for them (about Allaho) because heās an outstanding horse. This is whatās going to happen for the next four weeks and thatās why itās absolute hell. We all look forward to it, but youāre tip toeing on eggshells for four weeks. That changes the Ryanair big time and hopefully makes me agree that little bit less with Matt Chapman!
STEAL A MARCH
Race: Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle.
He won at Worcester on Derby Day last year, which was very special as it was on Jubilee weekend. We were all trying to get winners that weekend for The Queen.
The Queen Consort has had horses of her own before, but I think he was The Kingās first jumps winner. Heās improved a fair bit all of a sudden.
Weāve got quite a strong team for the race to be fair, but I was impressed with him the last time. It would be nice to have him run - it would be very nice to have him win of course ā but it would be lovely if they could come to watch. It would be good for racing.
THEATRE GLORY
Race: Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (needs to be supplemented).
The ground might have a lot to do with it. Theatre Glory needs very good ground and needs to be supplemented, but she could go for the Mares'. You can take it she is an intended runner - I said at the beginning when it appeared that Epatante wasnāt a runner, she should be treated for betting purposes as a runner.
WALKING ON AIR
Race: Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle.
Walking On Air is qualified for the Pertemps and I was pleased with him (when winning at Exeter).
1985 See You Then - Unibet Champion Hurdle
1985 The Tsarevich - Festival Plate Handicap Chase
1985 First Bout - JCB Triumph Hurdle
1986 River Ceiriog - Sky Bet Supreme Novicesā Hurdle
1986 See You Then - Unibet Champion Hurdle
1986 The Tsarevich - Festival Plate Handicap Chase
1987 See You Then - Unibet Champion Hurdle
1987 Alone Success - JCB Triumph Hurdle
1989 Rustle - Paddy Power Stayersā Hurdle
1990 Brown Windsor - Cathcart Chase
1990 Master Bob - Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase
1991 Remittance Man - Sporting Life Arkle Novicesā Chase
1992 Remittance Man - Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
1992 Flown - Sky Bet Supreme Novicesā Hurdle
1993 Travado - Sporting Life Arkle Novicesā Chase
1993 Thumbs Up - McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle
1994 Raymylette - Cathcart Chase
1997 Barna Boy - McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle
1999 Stormyfairweather - Cathcart Chase
1999 Katarino - JCB Triumph Hurdle
2000 Tiutchev - Sporting Life Arkle
2000 Marlborough - Ultima Handicap Chase
2000 Stormyfairweather - Cathcart Chase
2000 Bacchanal - Paddy Power Stayersā Hurdle
2002 The Bushkeeper - Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase
2005 Trabolgan - Brown Advisory Novicesā Chase
2005 Liberthine ā Festival Plate Handicap Chase
2005 Juveigneur - Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase
2006 Fondmort - Ryanair Chase
2006 Non So ā Festival Plate Handicap Chase
2006 Greenhope - Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase
2009 Punjabi - Unibet Champion Hurdle
2009 Zaynar - JCB Triumph Hurdle
2009 Andytown - Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle
2010 Binocular - Unibet Champion Hurdle
2010 Spirit River - Coral Cup
2010 Soldatino - JCB Triumph Hurdle
2011 Bobs Worth - Albert Bartlett Novicesā Hurdle
2011 Long Run - Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup
2012 Sprinter Sacre - Sporting Life Arkle Novicesā Chase
2012 Simonsig - Ballymore Novicesā Hurdle
2012 Bobs Worth - Brown Advisory Novicesā Chase
2012 Finianās Rainbow - Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
2012 Une Artiste - Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
2012 Riverside Theatre - Ryanair Chase
2012 Bellvano - Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Hurdle
2013 Simonsig - Sporting Life Arkle Novicesā Chase
2013 Rajdhani Express - Northern Trust Company Novicesā Hācap Chase
2013 Sprinter Sacre - Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
2013 Bobs Worth - Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup
2014 Whisper - Coral Cup
2015 Call The Cops - Pertemps Network Final
2015 Peace And Co - JCB Triumph Hurdle
2016 Altior - Sky Bet Supreme Novicesā Hurdle
2016 Sprinter Sacre - Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
2017 Altior - Sporting Life Arkle Novicesā Chase
2017 Buveur DāAir - Unibet Champion Hurdle
2017 Might Bite - Brown Advisory Novicesā Chase
2018 Buveur DāAir - Unibet Champion Hurdle
2018 Altior - Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
2019 Beware The Bear - Ultima Handicap Chase
2019 William Henry - Coral Cup
2019 Altior - Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
2019 Pentland Hills - JCB Triumph Hurdle
2020 Shishkin - Sky Bet Supreme Novicesā Hurdle
2020 Epatante - Unibet Champion Hurdle
2020 Champ - Brown Advisory Novicesā Chase
2020 Dame de Compagnie - Coral Cup
2021 Shishkin - Sporting Life Arke Novicesā Chase
2021 Chantry House - Turners Novicesā Chase
2022 Constitution Hill ā Sky Bet Supreme Novicesā Hurdle
2022 Marieās Rock ā Close Brothers Maresā Hurdle
Leading trainer at The Festival (9 times): 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1992, 1993, 2000, 2010, 2012.
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