Analysing Nicky Henderson’s Best Chances At The 2026 Cheltenham Festival

Nicky Henderson, the veteran Seven Barrows maestro, is the second most-successful trainer in Cheltenham Festival history having sent out a total of 75 winners. 

From his very first Festival winner, the great See You Then (1985), through to Doddiethegreat (2025) last year, “Hendo” has trained some of the most memorable winners we have ever known at Prestbury Park.

History making horses like Sprinter Sacre, Buveur d’Air and Altior are to name but a few on an impressive looking list. So what will be in store for the Nicky Henderson at the Cheltenham Festival 2026? We assess five of his leading lights here:

Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) – Constitution Hill

“Will he or won’t he run?” is the question on everyone’s lips this season, but if he does, the former two-time winner must still hold one hell of a chance if he can finally put his jumping demons to bed.

Constitution Hill’s well documented falls led to Henderson switching him to the level on a fact-finding mission, and that mission was accomplished as he romped home at Southwell by nine-and-a-half lengths.

If he runs in the Champion Hurdle, and stays on his feet, he is highly likely to win, and he is currently  trading at 7/4 odds in our horse racing betting market to do so.

Gold Cup (Grade 1) – Jango Baie

Jango Baie already owns a Cheltenham Festival victory, an Arkle success last season which showcased his high cruising speed and sound jumping.

This season’s efforts have been highly encouraging. A win in the 1965 Chase at Ascot and a respectable fourth in the King George have put him right on course for a genuine looking pop at the Gold Cup, and he will arrive in the Cotswolds with a huge chance.

The seven-year-old gelding has been popular in the Cheltenham Gold Cup ante-post market too, seeing him challenging for favouritism at odds of 9/2.

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – Old Park Star

After completing an 18-length demolition job in the Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle at Haydock Park, Old Park Star catapulted himself to the top of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle betting.

Already a winner at Cheltenham over this distance in December, we know the six-year-old can handle the track, which is another string to his bow should you be tempted to have a bet on him.

Arkle Chase (Grade 1) – Lulamba

Lulamba was rightly elevated to the top of the betting for the Arkle at Cheltenham when  running out a convincing winner of the William Hill Game Spirit Chase at Newbury.

Henderson’s five-year-old has had just the three runs over fences to date, but he has jumped with aplomb each time and has won each event by a great number of lengths.

At odds of 13/8 in our sports betting market, he’s got to be one of the strongest favourites of the entire Cheltenham week.

Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – Impose Toi

Nicky Henderson felt the ground was to blame for the performance of Impose Toi in the Cleeve Hurdle, commenting: “He has run a great race. That is not his ground, but fair play to the winner.”

Prior to the Cleeve, the JP McManus-owned gelding was imperious when landing a quality renewal of the Grade 1 Howden Long Walk Hurdle. A repeat of that performance would see the seven-year-old go close.

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*