Top trainer Nicky Henderson has won 72 Cheltenham Festival races over the years, including all the main Championship contests. So, what are the key Nicky Henderson Cheltenham Festival runners to look for this year?
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Nicky Henderson Cheltenham Festival Runners: The Main Players
In recent years Nicky Henderson has been overtaken as the all-time Cheltenham Festival winning trainer by Willie Mullins. The Irish handler bagged 10 winners last year at the meeting and has 88 overall successes – with Henderson now back in second with 72.
Mullins has a big army again in 2023 and is the short-priced favourite @ 1/8 with Paddy Power to be the top Cheltenham trainer again. With Henderson @ 9/1 with Paddy Power.
But Henderson has also got another decent team heading to Prestbury Park in 2023 for the four-day meeting that runs from Tuesday 14th to Friday 17th March. Including his Champion Hurdle superstar Constitution Hill.
We look at the best Nicky Henderson Cheltenham Festival runners below as he tries to improve on his 72 winners at the meeting. With the Tuesday and Thursday looking the best days for the Henderson runners.
Tuesday 14th March 2023 | It’s Constitution Hill All The Way
Arkle Chase – JONBON: Runner-up in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last season but has made the switch to fences this term. Will head to the Festival 3-from-3 over the bigger obstacles and is expected to relish the stiff Cheltenham finish. Has the Mullins-trained El Fabiolo as his biggest danger but will be a popular pick to give Henderson his fourth Arkle win since 2013.
Champion Hurdle – CONSTITUTION HILL: Many people’s ‘super, super, super Cheltenham Banker‘ this year and it’s easy to see why. Has won all 5 hurdles starts, including the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last season at this meeting. Returned this season with wins in the Fighting Fifth and Christmas Hurdles and has won his five hurdles races by a total of 77 lengths. Takes on State Man as his main threat, but is expected to have too many gears for the Mullins horse and give Henderson his ninth Champion Hurdle.
Mares’ Hurdle/Champion Hurdle – EPATANTE: The 2020 Champion Hurdle winner is still going strong and will be running in her fifth Festival race. Will get the mares’ allowance of 7lbs if heading to the Champion Hurdle and despsite now 9 has still won 10 of her 18 hurdles starts. Won well at Doncaster last time out, but has also been well beaten twice by Constitution Hill this season. It’s likely the Mares’ Hurdle, over the longer trip will be the preferred target.
RELATED: 2023 Cheltenham Festival: Willie Mullins vs Nicky Henderson Net Worth & Cheltenham Festival Stats
Thursday 16th March 2023 | Can Shishkin Fly Home in The Ryanair?
Pertemps Network Final Hurdle – WALKING ON AIR: Henderson, who won this in 2015, could have several in this race, but this 6 year-old could be his main hope. A winner of two of his five hurdles starts and heads here after an impressive win at Exeter last month. Stays this trip well and looks the sort to have more improvement in the locker.
Ryanair Chase – SHISHKIN: Winner of the 2021 Arkle Chase, but his career has stuttered a bit since. However, connections have taken their time with him and after upping his trip last time bounced back to form. That win came in the Ascot Chase last month and since then Shishkin has shot to the head of the Ryanair Chase betting. Clearly loved the longer trip and if in the same mood as last time will take the beating.
Stayers’ Hurdle – MARIES ROCK: Last year’s Mares’ Hurdle winner and still could run in that Tuesday race again. But the vibes coming out of the Henderson yard is that she’ll be tried in the Stayers’ Hurdle. Will get a handy 7lbs allowance and the longer trip (1st try over it) is expected to suit. Since winning at the Festival last season has won both starts, including last time at Cheltenham in the Relkeel Hurdle. Henderson’s only previous winner in the Stayers’ Hurdle came in 2006 with Bacchanal.
Plate Handicap Chase – BALCO COASTAL: Another race that Henderson could have several runners. However, Balco Coastal looks a leading chance for the Seven Barrows handler. Ran the useful Gerri Colombe close at Sandown last time and that horse is favourite for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase. Before that beat Solo at Kempton and that horse franked the form by winning recently too. Has gone up 7lbs since his last run but is still only 7 and should have more to come.
Mares Novice Hurdle – LUCCIA: One of the big hopes for Henderson over the meeting. This talented mare is unbeaten after winning all four career starts – including an easy 11 length win at Exeter last month. It’s a race the Irish and Willie Mullins have dominated over the years, but Henderson has a top chance of flying the flag for the Brits here.
Kim Muir Challenge Cup – NEXT DESTINATION: This 11 year-old has done the rounds – in terms of trainers. He’s been with Paul Nicholls and Willie Mullins in the past, but is now with another top yard in Nicky Henderson. Has fair Festival form too – 4-3-2, so if carrying on that sequence will be winning here! Ran Galvin to a close second in the NH Chase last season at the meeting and despite his age has only raced 12 times. A very consistent sort that has also only been out of the first three once. Oh, and that came when 4th in the 2017 Champion Bumper here!
RELATED: Did You Know? Trainer Gordon Elliott Has Won Only ONE Of The Big Cheltenham Festival Races
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