Henderson forced to pull star names out of Festival

NICKY Henderson’s Cheltenham hopes were dashed after a disastrous opening day of the festival on Tuesday.

Henderson’s Seven Barrow yard was already reeling after being forced to pull red-hot favourite Constitution Hill out of the Champion Hurdle because of a lung infection.

Then five of his six runners were pulled up on the opening day of the meeting with the trainer saying on X on Wednesday morning that there was “something affecting their performance”.

Henderson said: “I’m afraid we have had to make some very tough decisions following the very disappointing performances of all bar one of our horses yesterday.

“It was there for all to see that there is obviously something affecting nearly all our horses and consequently we have reluctantly decided that Jonbon, First Street and Kingston Pride will not run today.

“It is impossible to identify any reason for all the disappointments and none of these three horses have given us any cause for concern and all yesterday’s runners were scoped clean post race and I am glad to say are all sound this morning.

“There will unfortunately be further non runners on Thursday and Friday.

“I hope everyone will appreciate that we have to do this in everybody’s interests, particularly the horses.

“It is very, very disappointing for everybody.”

Jonbon was set to star in a rematch with the Willie Mullins trained El Fabiolo in the Champion Chase.

He later confirmed that Shishkin hasn’t been declared for the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup and Champ will miss the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle.

In a statement he added: “Very sadly it will not be possible for Shishkin to run in the Gold Cup on Friday.

“He was scoped, as have all of our potential runners this week, but unfortunately he has shown an unsatisfactory picture on which he couldn’t possibly run.

“He appears to be 100 per cent in himself and has been working and schooling better than ever and we really were looking forward to Friday.

“It is hoped that along with all the other non participants this week that they will be back in time for Aintree and Punchestown.

“Regrettably, Champ has also succumbed and will not run in tomorrow’s Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle.”

Henderson endured a torrid opening day in front of 60,000 fans, with Jeriko Du Reponet and Iberico Lord among five of his horses that failed to finish their races.

Luccia (33/1) was the only runner from Seven Barrows to finish a race on the opening day, taking third place in the Champion Hurdle.