Nicky Henderson eager to maintain winning feeling

The biggest challenge facing Nicky Henderson right now is keeping his star charges apart.

A stable including Simonsig, Sprinter Sacre and Long Run, all of whom are set for huge engagements in the upcoming months, leaves Henderson at 1/5 to claim the UK National Hunt Trainers Championship, with rival Paul Nicholls at 7/2.

Henderson enjoyed a fine run of success last season, including Sprinter Sacre’s 10 race unbeaten streak and Bobs Worth’s Gold Cup victory saw the Lambourn-trainer claim a first Trainers Championship since 1987

The master handler has elected to step the supremely talented Simonsig up in trip and he is currently favourite with Ladbrokes at 4/1 to win the King George VI chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Star of Henderson’s stable, Sprinter Sacre, isn’t scheduled to appear at Kempton on December 26 but his trainer has one eye firmly placed on the Champion Chase in March, where the six-year-old  is  a warn order to defend his crown after the six-year-old’s impressive victory over Sizing Europe this April.

The Black Aeroplane is 1/5 for retain his Champion Chase title, with Simonsig at 5/1.

Next month should see the reappearance of Bob’s Worth. The eight-year-old appears set to make his seasonal bow  alongside stable-mate Long Run at Haydock – another Henderson runner with top pedigree having won the Gold Cup in 2011.

With such a high calibre of charges to choose from, Henderson’s price of 1/5 won’t surprise many.

The success of Sprinter Sacre, Simonsig et al didn’t leave much on the table for Nicholls, who split with jockey Ruby Walsh in April after over a decade of working together.

With Henderson priced so short however, Nicholls may attract some people’s attention. He still boasts some star names, notably Aintree Hurdle winner Zarkandar plus Big Buck’s and Al Ferof.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing

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