'The whip changes have not been handled well - it's been a shambles' - Nicky Henderson has his say

Nicky Henderson hosted the media at his Lambourn yard on Monday morning and discussed all things Cheltenham, but he also had some other things to say . . .

Handicapping blues
I thought I had one for the Fred Winter in Arclight, who won her first two starts and was then second in a Listed race. I thought that would bring her nicely into the race, but the handicapper gave her 115. Normally you're delighted when you get 15lb less than you thought you'd get, but it's upset the whole plan and she hasn't got a chance of getting in. She'll have to go somewhere else and I suspect we'll have a lot of fun off 115, but it won't be at the festival.

The whip
Nico [de Boinville] has been involved and talks a lot sense about it. It's a sensitive subject but it's not been handled well; it's been a bit of a shambles. I remember when it was announced it was going to be back-hand use only, we had about six jockeys in here schooling and they sat down on chairs with whips and poor little James Bowen hasn't got very long arms, so he's no chance of hitting the backside of a horse. He'd have got done every time for hitting a horse in the wrong place, but he can't reach the back! That was a silly rule.

Royal interest
Steal A March would be a very important runner in the Pertemps. I'd like the King to have a runner and it would be great for racing and Cheltenham if some representatives were able to make it. He won at Worcester on Derby day, which was the Queen's Platinum Jubilee weekend. We were all trying to get winners for the Queen that day and it was very special he won, while he then became the King's first jumps winner at Wincanton on Boxing Day. He's always been a capable horse who has improved a fair bit all of a sudden. I'd like his chances as I was impressed with him last time and it would be very nice if he won.

Steal A March: would be a popular winner at the Cheltenham Festival Credit: Nigel Kirby

Cheltenham hype
I look forward to it and it's very special. Anybody who is in this game says that. I know it gets overhyped, but is it? I remember getting a bollocking from a certain TV presenter for not running Shishkin in a Tingle Creek and wrapping my horses up and keeping them for Cheltenham. I then turn on the TV and see the same presenter sat next to Ruby Walsh doing a programme called Road to Cheltenham months in advance! I do laugh though and wonder who is hyping it!

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