Nicky fired up to repel the Irish invasion

HE three kingmakers – Nicky Henderson, Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott – will again do battle for the Cheltenham Festival crown.

Henderson rules the roost as the most successful trainer with 58 winners, with Mullins hot on his heels on 54. However, Elliott, the new kid on the block, gave them a spanking at last season’s Festival.

Henderson, 67, celebrated his first success at the Festival in 1985 when See You Then won the first of his three Champion Hurdles. Since then, Henderson has made it a record six victories in the hurdling crown.

The former stockbroker is on the brink of another historic achievement. He is responsible for the favourites in the Champion Hurdle (Buveur D’Air), Champion Chase (Altior) and Gold Cup (Might Bite). If they go in, he will be the first trainer to win the three headliners in the same season.

“But I remember when I was Fred Winter’s assistant and he had the favourites for the big three in the same year,” he said. “They were all beaten.”

Henderson clearly has not lost his competitive edge since he first took out a licence in 1978. When asked about the invasion from Ireland, he said: “We have got to beat them – Willie is bloody strong and so is Gordon.

“I enjoy the competition but, surely, we should be beating them. They are two massive operations, but we have got a fantastic team.

“The Douvan and Altior clash (Champion Chase) is something we’ve been waiting for, but both horses have had their problems.

“It’s the same with Faugheen. He’s the most potent danger to Buveur DAir. Don’t ever underestimate Wiilie’s horses.

“I’ve always thought Altior to be a very, very good horse. It was only