Cheltenham Festival preparations are reaching their decisive phase, and Nicky Henderson admits even a trainer of his stature feels the tension rising.
With just a fortnight to go before the sport’s showpiece meeting at Cheltenham Racecourse, the Seven Barrows maestro confessed to being “a bit jittery” as he readies another powerful team for the Cotswolds.
Henderson, now 75 and the winner of 75 races at the Festival, spoke candidly at a media morning hosted by The Jockey Club at Kempton Park. Experience tells him that the final stretch before the Cheltenham Festival can be as nerve-racking as the four days themselves.
“I think everybody will tell you that over the next few weeks everybody’s a bit jittery,” he said. “We’re in one piece this morning, touch wood. They’ve got to all be all right tonight.”
Lulamba and Act Of Innocence were among those to stretch out on the grass, while nine other Festival contenders — Jango Baie, Old Park Star, Jingko Blue, Hyland, Doddiethegreat, Impose Toi, Joyeuse, Iberico Lord and Bold Endeavour — were put through their paces.
“We can walk away this morning with nine horses that still have got their hopes alive,” Henderson reflected. “There were no surprises and I was pleased.”
He knows better than most that smooth preparations can unravel in an instant. “They’ve all got one more bit of serious work to do, I would think. But things will go wrong. There’s no doubt about it.”
English Hopes at the Cheltenham Festival
The Irish have set the standard in recent renewals of the Cheltenham Festival, but Henderson senses a shift.
“I think the English squad is definitely stronger than previous years, so I hope between us we can raise a bit of a fight. I think we can,” he said.
Referencing the depth seen in the King George at Kempton, he pointed to the competitive balance at the top level and suggested the championship races next month could be more open than many assume.
“It’s going to be very open, isn’t it? And I hope we can stand up and do a bit better this year. I’d be very disappointed if not.”
Jango Baie – Gold Cup Credentials
Jango Baie heads towards the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup with quiet momentum. His effort in the King George at Kempton marked him down as a serious staying prospect, and Henderson believes the balance of stamina and tactical speed is in place.
“He’s entitled to be given a realistic chance,” he said. “We know he comes up the hill, and he’s got the pace to win over two miles. I’d be very disappointed and surprised if he doesn’t stay.”
Henderson compared his versatility favourably with former stable greats, noting that while past champions had class in abundance, Jango Baie brings a blend of pace and resilience that could prove decisive in a searching finish.
Constitution Hill – A Decision Looms
If one horse embodies the emotional pull of the Cheltenham Festival, it is Constitution Hill.
Henderson described a recent evening as “one of the most extraordinary nights I think we will experience”, reflecting on the public reaction and the horse’s rare ability to capture imaginations beyond the sport’s core followers.
Yet a decision on his participation remains finely balanced.
“It is 50-50,” he admitted. “Every day I change my mind, but I think we’ve got to say one way or the other.”
Lulamba and Jonbon – Class and Questions
Lulamba, pencilled in for the Arkle, pleased connections in his latest outing and is still learning his craft. Henderson feels the experience gained will stand him in good stead, particularly as his long-term future may lie over further.
Jonbon, meanwhile, could head for the Ryanair Chase. Twice placed at the Festival, he has little to prove in terms of consistency, but Henderson would dearly love to see him secure a long-awaited success at the meeting.
“He just deserves one,” the trainer said. “It would be very sad not to have a Festival win on his epitaph. I think he’s just been unlucky.”
Old Park Star and Act Of Innocence – Novice Promise
Old Park Star, a leading hope for the Supreme, continues to excite. Still physically developing, he has shown a sharp turn of foot in recent starts and carries the profile of a horse with a bright future over fences.
Act Of Innocence, likely bound for the Turners, offers a different blend — stamina allied to pace — and Henderson believes it is a race Britain can target.
“It’s a race that England can win,” he said. “Let’s try and steal one.”
As ever, the final fortnight before the Cheltenham Festival will test nerves as much as horses. Henderson has seen it all before, but even now the anticipation refuses to dull. For a man with 75 Festival winners, the feeling remains as sharp as ever.
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