HAPPY HEND STILL HUNGRY
Legend targets Festival WIN A VISIT TO NICKY HENDERSON’S YARD
THE legendary Nicky Henderson has trained more Cheltenham Festival winners than anyone else – but he is hungry for more.
This year his holy trinity of big guns – Might Bite, Buveur D’Air and Altior – will try to win the Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Champion Chase.
Henderson, 67, spoke exclusively to the
and is desperate to get the big three to next month’s Festival in peak form.
He has been champion trainer four times and won every Grade One race at the Cheltenham Festival.
Today the build-up continues as he sends three Cheltenham possibles on the long trek from Lambourn to Musselburgh.
He said: “The prize money is good and the ground is decent up there, so we like to go.”
Here we look at some of the firepower that could make up Nicky’s Cheltenham artillery.
Runs today at Musselburgh and could be one of Henderson’s main hopes for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
We Have a Dream: Also goes to Musselburgh and has won three from three. He could book his place in the Triumph. THE countdown is under way to the Cheltenham Festival and four days of partying, punting, passion and world-class racing.
We’ve joined forces with Unibet, sponsor of the £400,000 Champion Hurdle, to offer you the chance not only to be there on March 13 with a companion, but also to enjoy a very special Cheltenham preview visit to Seven Barrows near Lambourn, home of Nicky Henderson.
He is the most successful trainer in the Festival’s history and also Unibet’s racing
Steps up to 3m at Musselburgh. Entered in two races at Cheltenham.
Altior: Last year’s brilliant Arkle winner has not run this season but Henderson said: “He could run in the Game Spirit Chase next Saturday as long as the ground is not too soft. If he doesn’t run he’ll have a racecourse gallop instead.”
The King George winner is the clear ante-post favourite for the Gold Cup.
Henderson said: “He did it well in the King George and I’m very happy with him.”
Completed his preparation for the Unibet Champion Hurdle with an easy victory at Sandown yesterday.
Santini: He was impressive at Cheltenham last Saturday but Henderson warned: “Cheltenham might come a year too early but we have not ruled him out.”
Fell at Ascot last time but has had a wind op and the Arkle is still a possibility.
Two wins this season and the trainer said: “He goes for the Ascot Chase and the Ryanair.”
On The Blind Side: A great chance in the Ballymore.
Won the Lanzarote and may be aimed at the Coral
Cup.
A BIT OF ALT-RIGHT: Henderson with the brilliant Altior Which horse won the 2017 Unibet Champion Hurdle?