TURF TALK: Henderson prepares for Cheltenham bid (From Swindon Advertiser)

TURF TALK: Henderson prepares for Cheltenham bid

10:00am Saturday 6th March 2010 in

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It was the turn of Lambourn trainer Nicky Henderson to parade some of his Cheltenham Festival runners at his impressive Seven Barrow stables earlier in the week.

With around 35 of his inmates heading for the Festival, Henderson will be hoping to add to his tally of 34 winners, nine ahead of his nearest rival Paul Nicholls,when the four-day meeting gets underway on Tuesday March 16.

Showing off his two runners in the Sun Alliance Chase, Long Run and Punchestown, the trainer claimed he had not trained two better chasers.

“ They are both hugely talented with the potential to go to the top,” he said.

It could prove a problem for backers, who will need to do their homework to separate the two rising stars. Punchestowns will be partnered by stable jockey Barry Geraghty, while amateur rider Sam Waley-Cohen, the son of the owner, will be on board Long Run.

Commenting on the duo, the trainer said: “Long Run is freakish in that he stays three miles yet has the most remarkable pace that enables him to win over two miles, as he did at Warwick last time out.

“Punchestown is by no means a slow horse, and looking back over his runs at Cheltenham against Big Bucks last year perhaps we should have ridden him for speed rather than stamina. I would love to take on Big Bucks again with different tactics.”

The trainer is also double-handed in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle with Zaynar and last year’s winner Punjabi, although the stable could also be represented by the one-time ante post favourite Binocular. The horse has been given a clean bill of health and is a possible runner.

Following Zaynar’s shock defeat at Kelso in his prep race, Henderson confirmed he will be fitted with cheek pieces for the first time since winning the Triumph Hurdle at the meeting last season.

Of Punjabi the Seven Barrows handler said: “I feel Punjabi has become a forgotten horse. I was delighted with his run at Kempton, and if he can win the Champion for a second time perhaps he will get the attention he deserves.”

Of the many horses paraded, Henderson sounded particularly enthusiastic about his Ryanair Chase entry - the Queen’s Barber Shop.

“I’m delighted with him and he should have a great chance,” he said.

“He has schooled very well and I am hopeful of a good run.”

Among others to note may be the yards entries in the Spinal Research Supreme Novices’ Hurdle: Oscar Whisky, Belvano and General Miller.

Riverside Theatre, Mad Max and French Opera could run in the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy, while Stravinsky Dance may be the yard’s only runner in the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle.

Last week’s Kempton Hurdle winner Solatino is entered in the JCB Triumph Hurdle, and Sentry Duty is set to take on Big Bucks in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

With so many runners over the four days the Henderson team are sure to have their fair share of success, but backers will have their work cut out to pick the right ones.