The Cheltenham Festival 
/ Timeform / 29 February 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Long Run will be defending his Gold Cup crown this year.
"I know Long Run's win (Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury) didn't please everyone, but it certainly pleased us..."
Nicky Henderson talks through the chances of stable stars Long Run, Burton Port, Binocular and Sprinter Sacre at the Cheltenham Festival...
Long Run (7 b.g Timeform Rating 182)
Burton Port (8 b.g Timeform Rating 166)
Henderson said: "I know Long Run's win (Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury) didn't please everyone, but it certainly pleased us. It was a pity we had to run two but it was the best place to start off Burton Port after his tendon injury.
"Some here even fancied Burton Port (who received 10 lb) to win that day because he's definitely a better horse than he was two years ago. Long Run jumped nicely and we think the Cheltenham hill will be to our advantage. Burton Port has an excellent record over fences and has yet to finish out of the first two. My worry with him is the bounce factor."
Although it was much better last time, Long Run's jumping is possibly his biggest hindrance for further Gold Cup glory and he currently trades at [3.35] for the March 16 showpiece. Burton Port, who looks well handicapped for the Grand National ([20.0]) on April 14 having been allotted a BHA rating of 158 before his Newbury return, finds himself behind his stablemate and Kauto Star only in the Gold Cup betting at [11.0].
Binocular (8 b.g Timeform Rating 167)
Henderson said: "What happened at Wincanton (beat Celestial Halo six lengths) was tremendous and it has put a spring back in our step. AP had mentioned his wind after the Christmas Hurdle and it's probably no coincidence Wincanton was his first run back from a soft palate procedure to correct that."
That strong-travelling win last time was much more taking that his two previous 'prep' runs for the Champion (forced to miss last year's renewal on the BHA's advice having been treated for an allergy leading up to the race) and he ran to the same Timeform rating as when taking the big one in 2010. He looks the leading home-trained hope and his current odds of [7.4] for the Champion Hurdle on March 13 feature look fair, whilst he can also be backed in the "To Be Placed" or "Without Hurricane Fly" markets.
Sprinter Sacre (6 b.g Timeform Rating 160p)
Henderson said: "I don't usually pay much attention to race times, but all three runs have been exceptionally quick yet he has finished hard on the bridle every time. After the Supreme last year, AP said he was suspicious of his wind and we therefore had that rectified.
"I know people say he's a flat track horse who won't come up the hill, but I don't subscribe to that. I read that Cue Card is going to make the running, which is fine."
A 152p rated hurdler, Sprinter Sacre has improved on each of his starts over fences so far and was especially exuberant when beating returning stable-companion French Opera by an eased-down six lengths in the Betfair Super Saturday Chase at Newbury last time. While he remains 1 lb behind Al Ferof in the current Timeform standings for the Arkle Chase, he is deemed open to more progression that that rival and it's hard to argue that he doesn't deserve his place as [2.38] market principal. Sprinter Sacre can also be teamed up with other Festival favourites in the "Favourites Acca" market.
Simonsig, Darlan and Bobs Worth are a trio of novices that are heading to the Festival with excellent chances of success......
Philip Hobbs has admitted defeat in the race to get Fingal Bay to the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival......
Nicky Henderson is predicting an ultra-close fifth clash between Long Run and Kauto Star in the Gold Cup......
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