But the most successful British-based trainer at the meeting over the last four decades still has several big chances across the week, including three current Grade One favourites in Constitution Hill, in the Champion Hurdle on 11 March; Jonbon, in the Champion Chase the following day, and Lulamba in the Triumph Hurdle, the opener on the final afternoon on 14 March.
But he appeared to be back to something close to his best on Boxing Day last year and followed up in comfortable fashion – bar an unexpected mistake at the last – in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham last month.
Next month’s Champion Hurdle promises to be one of deepest and strongest for many years, with State Man, last year’s winner, and the high-class mares Brighterdaysahead and Lossiemouth – the runner-up in the Christmas Hurdle – all seemingly being aimed at the race.
Setbacks, disappointments and frustrations flew at Henderson from all directions both before and during last year’s festival meeting, as star turns including Constitution Hill, Jonbon and Sir Gino were last-minute scratches as a bug swept through the stable at the worst possible moment of the year.
Constitution Hill, who remains unbeaten after 10 starts over hurdles, has raced just four times since winning the Champion Hurdle in 2023, and spent a year on the sidelines between his two wins in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton in December 2023 and 2024.
