Nicky Henderson: the inside track on my November Meeting runners

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On the season so far 

"I appreciate John [Pullin, Cheltenham clerk of the course]'s predicament. And we all know what a desperate time we've all been having.  

"We all sympathise with all the clerks of the courses because some racecourses, I think, have already used up their [water] supplies and we've got six racecourses still unraceable. It just shows how dramatic this whole situation is. We're losing too many meetings.  

"But we haven't even got started properly yet. I mean, this would be the first big weekend and we're only scratching with one runner here and a runner there at the moment. We're a long way behind.  

"About 150-something behind Dan [Skelton] at the moment. But don't worry, Dan, we'll catch up! 

"Hopefully, we'll start over the weekend." 

On his runners this weekend

JONBON (Shloer Chase, 2.20 Friday) 

READ MORE: Henderson on new Cobden mount Jonbon: "he's quite a bit more forward this year"

"I would like to think he's quite a bit more forward than he was this time last year. He has had one away day, which is good. And he always has that because that's the day he will sweat, sweat, sweat. He went to Kempton, as we do, and he enjoyed that.  

"He wasn't quite ready for it last year, I have to admit. But he seems in good shape. And this is where the game begins again. And it's lovely to have him back because he's been part of the Cheltenham furniture for a lot of years. 

"The big issue really is his trip nowadays and whether he's genuinely still a two-miler. He has been going two and a half, and I suspect that helps him a little bit."   

OLD PARK STAR (Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices' Chase, 1.45 Saturday) 

READ MORE: Henderson keen to start Old Park Star off at Cheltenham, ground permitting

“This is against my norm and I’m not mad about novices having their first runs around courses like Cheltenham and Ascot. They are difficult tracks for novice chasers and it’s not as simple as say a Newbury. 

“The plan was actually go to Exeter, but Exeter doesn’t exist and they have very kindly put on a novice chase at Ffos Las next week (Wednesday) which would probably be the sensible route, but I’m tempted to go to Cheltenham. 

“He’s in very good form and I do realise what he is taking on – Kabral Du Mathan in particular would be a danger and there’s others in there, so it will be interesting to see who comes to join the party. 

“The intention to run is there and we’ll take a look at what the ground is like on Friday. 

“If Nico (de Boinville) is happy on Friday then it’s all systems go and I would look forward to it, albeit with a certain amount of trepidation. 

“He was unbeaten last season and he’s the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner with his life in front of him still, and fences very much a part of it. It won’t be easy, but I think he will be up for it.” 

LASTBUTNOTLEASED (mallardjewellers.com Maiden Hurdle, 12.50 Sunday) 

"He shows us plenty at home. I think we've got some very nice novices.  

"They've all been doing their work together. There's a nice bunch of them. He might want a bit more than two miles, but a bit of nice ground, a two-mile maiden round there looks an ideal sort of starting point. 

"I'm sure it'll be very competitive." 

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CRYSTAL ISLAND (WKD Novices' Limited Handicap Chase, 1.25 Sunday) 

"He's interesting. He only had two runs over hurdles last year. He won them both well.  

"I might go against my better judgement and start him over fences at Cheltenham 

"I did that with Might Bite and sort of said, 'I'll never do it again'. Because it frightened him to death. And we had to put him back to hurdles for a whole season before we started. 

"And then once he started again, he was great. And he won an RSA and was second in the gold cup. So he got there, but by golly, it took a long time to get over that first experience." 

IBERICO LORD (Unibet Greatwood Hurdle, 15.10 Sunday) 

"He's won it before. So, you know, his CV says everything's right.  

"I'm not saying he wouldn't come on for it, but he went away, he's had a gallop. Well, he's had several gallops." 

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