Trainer Nicky Henderson puts five of his Cheltenham Festival prospects through their paces on the gallops

Henderson had scrapped an earlier decision to take five potential Cheltenham ‘aces’ to Newbury for racecourse gallops on Thursday after the ground at the Berkshire track turned tacky. Instead they spent a resourceful morning at Seven Barrows, Lambourn, turning in “work that went very, very well,” according to the trainer.

“They both went well, but Spirit Son had a good blow after the piece of work, and I feel it is very unlikely that he will go to Ireland [for the Irish Champion Hurdle on Jan 29]. There are hurdle races at Wincanton, Sandown and Kelso in the coming weeks and we have several who could run in them,” he pointed out.

In fact, Henderson trains three of the five horses quoted under 10-1 in the Champion Hurdle – only Hurricane Fly and Zarkandar are from other yards – and he will have a major influence on the shape of fields for these ‘trials’ in the run-up to the Festival.

The other home gallop of note on Thursday involved French Opera, Burton Port and Soldatino, a piece of work designed to bring this trio of varying talents closer to racing fitness. “Burton Port has a Gold Cup entry, though I have yet to discuss it with Trevor [Hemmings, the owner], while Soldatino has the Betfred Hurdle [Feb 11, Newbury] as his objective. They worked well.”

Much thought is going into Sprinter Sacre’s next run, with the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury being favoured at this stage. “He could go to Doncaster at the end of the month, but there is a chance nothing will turn up, and he could possibly find himself doing less than if he were at home. What he wants is experience,” Henderson explained.

“The other factor to consider is that if he runs at Doncaster, Barry [Geraghty] won’t ride, because he would be required at Cheltenham on the same day. At Newbury, Barry can ride him.”

Meanwhile, Bobs Worth was a surprise entry for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, although Henderson explained this was merely an insurance in case something went wrong. The RSA Chase remains his Festival target.

Nicky Henderson, racehorse trainer, provides a Cheltenham Festival hint with Bobs Worth

At the weekend, the most significant move came for the Nicky Henderson-trained Bobs Worth, who shortened to 5-1 (from
6-1) for the RSA Chase, even though he had been beaten five and a quarter lengths by Grands Crus in the Feltham Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. And there was a reason.

Clearly, Henderson believes there is nothing to lose. It may all count on the big occasion.

New-look McCririck is wasted on Channel 4 subs' bench

You may have missed it, but John McCririck underwent what is termed ‘a makeover’ during the week.

The mutton-chops were given a trim, hair slicked back under a fashionable Aussie bush hat, and somebody stumped up for a navy Saville Row pinstripe. He’d also had a wash.

It has been pointed out that Racing For Change could probably spend racing’s dwindling finances more wisely. But I’m not so sure.

As much as Channel 4 try easing their ageing star out of the picture, they cannot escape the fact that he is still the most recognisable face in racing. And that includes Dettori, McCoy, Cecil, etc.

Racing For Change’s next move is to remind Channel 4 of that fact, and to demand they take him off the bench (where he spends the majority of Saturdays). But only if he wears his new wardrobe.

Nicky Henderson decides Long Run will not wear earplugs in the Gold Cup

Prior to the 1977 Derby, the great Vincent O’Brien sent his assistant, a youthful John Gosden, to walk alongside The Minstrel, leaving the old paddock at the back of the Rubbing House at Epsom, walking in the direction of Langley Vale and then straight across to the mile-and-a-half start, which was the traditional route taken to post in those days. O’Brien wanted to ensure the cotton wool remained in place in the colt’s ears to prevent any chance of any anxiety in the three year-old.

It had the desired result with The Minstrel, partnered by Lester Piggott, winning a fierce duel with the Willie-Carson-ridden Hot Grove in the closing stages, and over three decades later, the ploy has proved just as effective for Long Run, who defeated Denman and Kauto Star in last year’s Gold Cup, with earplugs inserted.

“We will be changing a few things [for the Gold Cup], but I don’t think we will be taking Kauto Star on up front. We are hoping the extra distance at Cheltenham, and the uphill, finish are what are going to save us,” he said.

Long Run has been an incredibly consistent young horse, having never finished out of the first three under Rules, winning 12 of his 20 starts. If anything, his only weakness seems an inability to cope with being forced to come off a muddling pace in the middle stages of a race, as was the case at Kempton when he was beaten by Kauto Star on Boxing Day.

Henderson, while admitting to a few changes, might also find it worth exploring the inclusion of a 'pace-ensurer’ (rather than a pacemaker), just in case the tempo slackens in the Gold Cup.

Kauto Star’s time in the King George was nearly three seconds slower than Grands Crus recorded in the Feltham Novice Chase the same day and while many saw this as a big positive for the David Pipe-trained chaser it was, on balance, more a pointer to the fact that Ruby Walsh had skilfully slowed the pace to an extreme on Kauto Star.

Henderson is looking forward to saddling Captain Conan for his British debut in Saturday’s Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown Park, for which there were nine declared at Tuesday's’s extended deadline. Originally just five were entered and so the race was reopened.

Captain Conan showed plenty of ability when racing in France and could be an interesting prospect, especially with give in the ground.

Not surprisingly there are some other high class performers among the entries. Paul Nicholls has the Wylie-owned Prospect Wells engaged, while Philip Hobbs has entered Colour Squadron and Charlie Longsdon plans to run Magnifique Etoile, a wide margin winner of his last three races.

The man is luminous Nicky Henderson, with Soliwery and Captain Conan follow Sandown star

Also at this stage of the season jumps were sorted on their list for most large coaches of Cheltenham in March, but it is the depth in the team of Henderson and Paul Nicholls, constantly promising less lights, which have the potential to place the scale.

The Tolworth hurdle, won last year with the class Minella during the winner of the race sent favorite advice Wells in three of the last four runnings Nicholls, inspires all night. He won the classic Noland then Silverburn (the younger brother of Denmans), followed by Breedsbreeze.

Display wells of Newbury and later a fourth very creditable in obstacle Ladbroke at Ascot last month. It is certainly enough to say he is the one to beat, but would have done any captain Conan, who, in June, won a race in Auteuil, correctly since settled in its new flavoured environment.

Honestly, can the nature and the way Henderson horses were executed, it is better, with Captain Conan.

However, I believe that his chance on the dashboard with the Nicholls received consistent veteran of Neptune COLLONGES in £ 50 000 32Red.com HBLB handicap Chase.

Levy Board punters have injected £ 30,000 in the race to try to interest in Saturday, and they were rewarded by a decent field of 10, which will appeal to betting "each way".

Nicky Henderson Captain Conan signals a bright future with the victory of Sandown Park Tolworth hurdle jump

It took the House by a short head in some respects that a lucky victory was bad in the final as finalist Squadron color threw his luck far by hanging. But the result can be found in the years to come as a very brilliant career start.

"It seemed, was a fun starting point, but there is method is, said Henderson later." It is a horse of very, very talented, but it is a Dragonfly. "" I expect that I shall this course be featured yet somewhere [Cheltenham]. "

The biggest surprise was the starting price. Previously mentioned despite him, Captain Conan, ridden by Barry Geraghty, led in the Paris on the course and 9-1 was sent.

There was a difference of 13 lengths magnificent third star, with which wells a tame fourth views. Owner Graham Wylie said that the Paul Nicholls trained Fontaine Vista probably had the effects of his final race. "It was a more difficult version, no doubt that we thought [threshold] Ladbroke at Ascot," Wylie said.

Nicholls and Wylie had previously combined the 32Red handicap Chase quickly hold under a confident ride from Ruby Walsh victory. The eight years won seven lengths all for free, with a short head to tanks for the third.