‘Superstar status is there for the taking’ – Nicky Henderson’s best Cheltenham chances

Ireland has dominated the Cheltenham Festival for a long time now and it’s about time that the British wrestled back some control. If the home team is going to have a good Festival, Nicky Henderson will be one of the main men responsible. The Lambourn-based trainer has some very good horses to run at Cheltenham so we’re going to assess the chances of his leading contenders. Take a look at our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.

Bet £10, Get £50 in Free Bet Multiples

Place a min £10 bet on Sportsbook on odds of min EVS (2.0), get £50 in Free Bet Builders, Accumulators or multiples to use on any sport. Rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via cards or Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.

CLAIM

Bet £10, Get £50 in Free Bet Multiples

Place a min £10 bet on Sportsbook on odds of min EVS (2.0), get £50 in Free Bet Builders, Accumulators or multiples to use on any sport. Rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via cards or Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Old Park Star emerged as a serious candidate for the Festival’s opening race, off the back of an utterly dominant display in the Grade 2 Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle at Haydock. Nico de Boinville employed positive tactics aboard the six-year-old and he travelled powerfully throughout. The way in which he pulled clear with ease was very encouraging and he won’t be far away at Cheltenham.

13:20

Cheltenham

Old Park Star

Analysis

null

Arkle Novices’ Chase

Lulamba has made an excellent start to life over fences and superstar status could be there for the taking. A smart juvenile hurdler last term, he was narrowly denied in the Triumph but avenged that defeat with an imposing success at Punchestown. Henderson’s gelding comfortably got the better of more seasoned performers in the Game Spirit Chase and he wouldn’t look out of place in the Champion Chase, so winning the Arkle shouldn’t be beyond him.

14:00

Cheltenham

Lulamba

Analysis

null

Ryanair Chase

Jonbon is a remarkably consistent horse who has never finished outside of the first two in his career and this sort of trip is much more suitable at this stage. His Cheltenham record isn’t amazing but there’s less emphasis on speed in this race and he has the ability required to come out on top.

16:00

Cheltenham

Jonbon

Analysis

null

If you back any of our selections you can watch them live on the free Racing Post app or racingpost.com. Simply log in to one of your bookmaker accounts and click ‘Watch live’ on the racecards.

Bet £10, Get £50 in Free Bet Multiples

Place a min £10 bet on Sportsbook on odds of min EVS (2.0), get £50 in Free Bet Builders, Accumulators or multiples to use on any sport. Rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via cards or Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.

CLAIM

Bet £10, Get £50 in Free Bet Multiples

Place a min £10 bet on Sportsbook on odds of min EVS (2.0), get £50 in Free Bet Builders, Accumulators or multiples to use on any sport. Rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via cards or Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.