Work whisperer: ante-post

Published 3rd March

Nicky Henderson, the most successful British trainer in Cheltenham Festival history with 75 winners and counting, is finalising preparations for one of the strongest teams he has sent to Prestbury Park for many years. 

Despite the withdrawals of stable flagbearers Constitution Hill and Sir Gino from the Champion Hurdle, confidence is running high at Seven Barrows. OLD PARK STAR and LULAMBA, favourites for the first two races on Tuesday, are fancied to get the yard off to a flyer with a day one double.

Old Park Star arrives here following a demolition job of Listed winner Hurricane Pat at Haydock, where he impressed with his potent mix of speed and accurate jumping. Proven at the track – albeit on the New Course - he is pleasing the team at home and has drawn favourable comparisons to Shishkin, one of three winners in the past decade of the traditional Festival curtain-raiser, the Skybet Supreme Novices' Hurdle, for Henderson.

Lulamba heads the British challenge for the Arkle Challenge Trophy after thriving over fences since last year's surprise Triumph Hurdle defeat. His authoritative Newbury success extended his unbeaten chase record to three, gaining valuable experience putting older rivals to the sword. He now bids to follow former Seven Barrows stars Altior and Sprinter Sacre by completing the Game Spirit-Arkle double.

JANGO BAIE heads to Friday’s Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup after bypassing the Denman Chase due to unsuitable testing ground. A recent Kempton racecourse gallop pleased connections, with Old Park Star another to impress workwatchers. Last year’s Arkle winner remains unbeaten at Cheltenham and is expected to improve on his King George fourth, benefiting from the track’s greater emphasis on stamina.

Among the juveniles, Haydock winner MANLAGA heads the Seven Barrows pecking order and holds entries for both the JCB Triumph Hurdle and the McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, otherwise known as the Fred Winter. Henderson, who began his career under the tutelage of Fred Winter in the 1970s before taking out his licence in 1978, would dearly love to win the race named in honour of his former mentor. A mark of 130 looks workable as she would not look out of place in the Triumph.

In Thursday’s closing Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir, Jeriko Du Reponet has been a notable mover in the ante‑post markets. His eye-catching run at Windsor confirmed his qualification, and a 3lb drop enables him to line up here off the maximum rating of 145. Derek O’Connor is expected to ride, having previously steered the McManus-owned Gold Cup hero Inothewayurthinkin to land a massive gamble in this race two years ago,

However, with the price gone and some concerns over Jeriko Du Reponet’s jumping, HERAKLES WESTWOOD, trained by Warren Greatrex, appeals as a reliable alternative, boasting proven stamina and a strong Cheltenham record. Greatrex has a history of securing top amateur riders for this race, having enlisted Noel McParlan when Missed Approach gave him a memorable first Festival winner in the 2018 renewal. 

Elsewhere, ex-jump jockey Nick Scholfield has enjoyed an impressive first season, and his grey ST IRENE can exceed market expectations in the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle. She is considered a live outsider capable of delivering a dream first Festival winner for her rookie trainer.