Nicky Henderson: 'The Irish gave me a mighty fright, now we need to answer back'

Nicky Henderson says he was given a "mighty fright" by the vast array of quality on display at the Dublin Racing Festival last week, but vowed he is ready to hit back and advertise his stable's key Cheltenham Festival aces with star names Altior and Champ poised for Super Saturday at Newbury.

Britain's champion trainer is particularly fearful of Irish Champion Hurdle heroine Honeysuckle, who joined Epatante at the head of the market for the Unibet-backed Cheltenham equivalent after her breathtaking win.

Elsewhere, Energumene set up a blockbuster clash with Henderson's latest big hope Shishkin in the Sporting Life Arkle, while Chacun Pour Soi enhanced his powerful claims for the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, which Altior won in 2018 and 2019.

Willie Mullins, the festival's most prolific trainer, was responsible for nine winners across a dominant two days at Leopardstown, leaving powerhouse training rival Henderson even more eager to flaunt some of his leading horses at Newbury this weekend – providing the forecast sub-zero temperatures do not stop the meeting going ahead.

The Lambourn trainer said on Tuesday: "I wish I hadn't watched it, it was slightly frightening. I haven't shown it to any of the horses, I didn't think Epatante needed to see Honeysuckle, nor Shishkin see Energumene, let alone Altior see Chacun Pour Soi.

Nicky Henderson observes his string on Tuesday morningCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I saw them, though, and it gave me a mighty fright. I've never seen anything like it, so well done Willie, it was a staggering weekend.

"Our Champion Hurdle squad is strong, but I thought Honeysuckle was mightily impressive and it's going to be intriguing with her and Epatante. Buveur D'Air is waiting as well and he wants his crown back. We've got to look forward to what's coming ahead."

Doing just that, he added: "We need to answer back. The English [horses] have got to stake their claim, otherwise we'll end up being whitewashed at Cheltenham and we don't need that – that's for sure. I think we've got a strong team with the ones this weekend in Altior and Champ."

Altior is the most high-profile name in the Henderson camp and the 11-year-old faces an important festival trial in the Game Spirit – officially called the Betfair Cheltenham Free Bet Pot Builder Chase.

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

He won the Grade 2 in impressive style last season, but missed the Champion Chase with a setback and was beaten on his only start this term in the Desert Orchid at Kempton.

Once invincible, Altior, who enjoyed a 19-race unbeaten run, is now as big as 8-1 for the Champion Chase – a race he won twice in that famous sequence – but Henderson has complete faith that he retains his talent.

"He's good, everything's gone well and this is part of the next step," said Henderson. "He likes Newbury and his demeanour seems better to me than it was prior to Christmas. He's more like his own self and his work's been good.

Altior: will return to Newbury on SaturdayCredit: Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images

"If you school him – and that's the one thing he loves – you'll never see anything like it. We put a clip up on our blog because you can see how incredibly quick, accurate and fast he is in the air. But at Kempton his jumping was a little bit up in the air and laboured. Newbury will suit him much better.

"He's got to be a bit more aggressive and I think you'll find he will be – his mind has sharpened up and we're very happy with where he is."

Henderson can close the gap to Paul Nicholls in the trainers' championship if he lands Newbury's £125,000 Betfair Hurdle with either Buzz or Mister Coffey.

"I can't say it has been a long-term plan but we've said for a while this is where we'd go with both horses," he went on. "They're genuine two-milers but I think both, in time, might get further – but you need to stay well. I expect the ground to be quite testing, so stamina will be required.

"I think they both have a good chance. Buzz is slightly the sharper of the two, but I think Mister Coffey will be very competitive, now he's learned to race."

Entries for Newbury on Saturday

Read more on the Dublin Racing Festival:

Game on! Freakish Energumene is electric again to set up super Shishkin clash

She was just deadly' – perfect ten for Honeysuckle in Irish Champion Hurdle

Members' Club: Paul Townend hails majestic Monkfish the 'perfect' racehorse after dream weekend

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