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Nicky Henderson Cheltenham Festival Prospects

Nicky Henderson Cheltenham Festival Prospects

The 2024 Cheltenham Festival could not have gone much worse for leading British Jumps trainer Nicky Henderson. Many of his leading horses either did not make it to the meeting or ran well below par.

Based on how the 2024/25 campaign has gone so far, it looks set to be much different this time around. In fact, Henderson could be set for one of his best meetings yet. He is the man the British team can look towards in their bid to win back the Prestbury Cup from team Ireland.

Constitution Hill Can Get the Week Off To A Flyer

After two disappointing public workouts, there were some concerns about whether racing fans would see the best of Constitution Hill again. However, the former Champion Hurdle winner quickly quashed those concerns with an emphatic victory in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton his comeback run, beating last year’s Mares’ Hurdle winner Lossiemouth.

The unbeaten star hurdler looks like the one the rest of the field must beat in the championship race on day one of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. As of 23rd January, he is the 4/6 favourite in the Cheltenham Festival betting.

The 2023 champion will have one more run before he heads to the premier hurdles race. He is bidding to become the first horse since Hurricane Fly in 2013 to regain their crown in the 2m contest.

A victory for the 175-rated hurdle will give Henderson a record-extending 10th Champion Hurdle victory and ensure he adds his name alongside the most famous horses in history.

Cheltenham Racecourse

Sir Gino Has Stood Out In the 2m Novice Chase Division.

When Constitution Hill was on the sidelines earlier in the season, it looked as though Sir Gino was going to be Henderson’s leading Champion Hurdle hope in March. He won the Grade One Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle in impressive style. But once Constitution Hill returned, the Sevens Barrow team opted to switch Sir Gino to fences, and that has proved to be a good move.

Last season’s 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle winner at Aintree made a winning start over fences in the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton. Although that was his first start as a chaser, he did not make an error over his obstacles.

Sir Gino will now feature in the Arkle Trophy on day one of the Cheltenham Festival. He will take on some strong challengers from Willie Mullins’ yard, including Majborough, Ile Atlantique and Ballybridge. Those three horses have impressed at Irish racecourses this season.

Racehorses

Jonbon On Course for Queen Mother Champion Chase Victory

Henderson’s best chance of a winner on day two of the 2025 Cheltenham is likely to be with Jonbon in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. The 2m chaser has produced three excellent performances in his division this season, with his latest success coming in the Grade One Clarence House Chase at one of the most famous race tracks in the world.

Jonbon was one of Henderson’s horses that missed the Cheltenham Festival meeting last season, as the stable’s horses were running below their best. If he prevails in the feature race on day two this year, he will cement his place as the best horse in his division.

Energumene was beaten by Jonbon in the Clarence House Chase earlier this year. 

Connections of the dual Festival winner will be hoping the change in venue helps their fellow reverse the form with the British horse.

Strong Hand in Juvenile Hurdle

The Juvenile Hurdle is a race Henderson has won four times at the Festival, and with such a strong hand in this year’s race, he will be confident of picking up win number five. Lulamba represents his leading contender. He swept away his rivals at Ascot during the Berkshire Winter Million, justifying the big reputation he had after arriving in the UK from France.

Henderson will also saddle former German Derby winner Palladium in this year’s Juvenile Hurdle. The Flat-bred horse was an expensive purchase who scored on his hurdles debut at Huntingdon. He was not fluent over all of his hurdles in that contest, but he showed he had an impressive engine in the closing stages of that race.

Nicky Henderson

The Seven Barrows trainer goes into this year’s Cheltenham Festival with 73 winners at the meeting. He can take a step towards the milestone century mark with a big week.

Nicky Henderson Cheltenham Festival Prospects Conclusion

After a challenging 2024 Cheltenham Festival, Nicky Henderson's remarkable resilience and skill as a trainer have positioned him for what could be a defining moment in his illustrious career. With Constitution Hill, Sir Gino, Jonbon, and his promising juvenile hurdlers all peaking at the right time, the Seven Barrows handler finds himself in an enviable position.

The 2025 Festival may well mark not just Henderson's resurgence but potentially one of his most successful campaigns ever at jump racing's most prestigious meeting.

Racing enthusiasts will be watching closely as this master trainer attempts to reassert British dominance and add significantly to his already impressive tally of Cheltenham triumphs, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest National Hunt trainers of all time.

The Race to the Title is on

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