Nicky Henderson on Champ's bizarre gallops race simulation used as Gold Cup prep

Champion trainer Nicky Henderson has been thinking outside the box to prepare leading contender Champ for the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup and believes an unorthodox racecourse gallop may have worked its magic.

Champ will make his seasonal return in Newbury's Betfair Denman Chase on Saturday although, from a fitness perspective, Henderson views it as more of a second run having had a simulated race experience last month.

Henderson prepared the nine-year-old for this weekend with a three-mile racecourse gallop, with the two lead horses effectively running a relay race. On the first lap Champ jumped eight fences behind a lead horse and on the second circuit, without fences, a different stablemate took over to ensure Champ was given a thorough test.

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The champion trainer said: "The whole point of going three miles on a racecourse was to try to simulate a race so that Newbury isn't going to be his first run of the season. It was a serious racecourse gallop, with jumping, and it was a proper gallop all the way. That was three or four weeks ago and he's had another awayday last Tuesday.

"It went very well. We jumped eight fences in the first mile with a lead horse and then for the second circuit another horse joined in so it was a bit of a relay race. He had two different horses as the first wouldn't be able to lead him three miles.

"He doesn't do much at home. He knows it all and he's seen it all before – he's not very fussed about it. We're happy to take him away and he really lights up. It had the right effect."

Champ: is four from four at NewburyCredit: Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images

Champ, a general 10-1 chance for Gold Cup glory, has not raced since his last-gasp RSA Chase victory at last year's Cheltenham Festival.

On Saturday he is to take on proven top-class staying chasers Clan Des Obeaux and Lostintranslation at Newbury.

Henderson, speaking in a call hosted by Great British Racing, added: "It's been a long time since March. That was the first time he'd run at three miles and we were pretty sure he'd stay. He had lots to learn, his jumping needed brushing up and he's been very good so far at home.

"It's exciting. I think he's a genuine Gold Cup contender and I'm lucky to have him. We've been second a couple of times in the last few years with Might Bite [2018] and Santini [2020] and it’s nice to have had a few good staying chasers, but I'm rather hoping the exciting part of Champ's life is still in front of him."

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