CHAMP UP FOR A FIGHT
Henderson has Newbury target for Gold Cup hope
CHAMPION trainer Nicky Henderson believes Champ can enhance his prospects for the Cheltenham Gold Cup when he returns to action at Newbury on Saturday.
And the Lambourn trainer is also not short of confidence about Altior returning to his glorious best when he also runs at the Berkshire track – but admitted it will be a setback if the pair fail to deliver.
“The dream is still alive,” said Henderson. “On Saturday night, if it’s gone blistering badly wrong, it will be like getting stabbed in the back.”
To elevate any doubts about Champ’s fitness in the Betfair Denman Chase, when the gelding has his first outing since victory at Cheltenham in March, the nine-year-old has been given two serious racecourse gallops.
“The whole point of those away days was to try to simulate a race so that Newbury is not going to be his first run of the year,” said Henderson.
The Lambourn trainer revealed that Champ, currently an attractive 12-1 for the Gold Cup, had an operation on his breathing in the close season and suggested that it might benefit him.
Altior might have lost his crown after two recent defeats but Henderson is upbeat about the gelding reigning again. “He’s got to be more aggressive than he was at Kempton (when he finished second) and I think you find he will be on Saturday,” Henderson said.
“His mind has sharpened up since then.
“It looks as if he’s lost a yard of his pace, so we’re keeping our options open.
“He’s in the Champion Chase (two miles) and the Ryanair (two and a half miles) at Cheltenham.”
Henderson also makes a strong case for Buzz and Mister Coffey, who both line up for the Betfair Hurdle.
Talented five-pound claimer Kevin Brogan partners top weight Buzz and Nico de Boinville will be in Mister Coffey’s saddle.
“I think they are both the right types for this,” added Henderson, hoping to make it a record sixth victory in the race.