The countdown to Cheltenham continued this morning, where Nicky Henderson played host to a Festival Press Morning and unveiled the stellar squad of stars he will take to do battle in 18 days’ time.

William Hill King George winner Long Run, and Champion Hurdler Binocular were amongst those on show, and will spearhead a team who could smash through Fulke Walwyn’s all-time winnngmost Cheltenham record for their handler.

William Hill make it a 4-5 chance that Henderson is crowned the Festival’s greatest ever trainer with four or more victories throughout the four days, whilst he is a 15-8 chance to take the Thomas Pink Leading Trainer award, ahead of 11-8 favourite Paul Nicholls.

Kate Miller, spokeswoman for William Hill, said: ‘’The strength and depth of Nicky Henderson’s Cheltenham challenge is simply outstanding this year – indicated by his odds-on price to smash through Fulke Walwyn’s record of 40 Festival winners. The famous treble-winning Manchester United squad of the ’98-99 season boasted less stars!’’

NICKY HENDERSON SPECIALS
4-5 – To take the all-time Cheltenham record (four or more wins)
Number of Henderson-trained winners of the Festival Novice Hurdles (Supreme, Neptune, Triumph, Albert Bartlett): 11-8 one, 2-1 none, 5-2 two, 10-1 three, 50-1 four
To train the winner of the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase: 5-1
Number of winners at the Cheltenham Festival: 11-10 three to five, 6-4 under three, 7-2 over five
Who will train the most Cheltenham Festival winners?: 5-6 Paul Nicholls, 13-8 Nicky Henderson
National Hunt Trainers’ Championship: 1-2 Paul Nicholls, 6-4 Nicky Henderson
Cheltenham Festival Thomas Pink Leading Trainer Award: 11-8 Paul Nicholls, 15-8 Nicky Henderson, 13-2 Willie Mullins, 14-1 Nigel Twiston-Davies, Philip Hobbs, 16-1 Alan King, David Pipe, 33-1 Donald McCain, 40-1 Ferdy Murphy, Jonjo O’Neill

CHELTENHAM 2011 MARKETS

Cheltenham Festival Top Jockey: 6-5 Ruby Walsh, 11-4 Barry Geraghty, 6-1 Tony McCoy, 10-1 Robert Thornton, 16-1 Richard Johnson, 25-1 Jason Maguire, Paul Townend, 33-1 Paddy Brennan, Paul Carberry, Timmy Murphy
(win only – Market will be settled on the number of winners, if there is a tie the greater number of second places will determine the winner, again if there is a tie the greatest number of third places will determine the winner)

TUESDAY

Stan James Supreme Novices’ Hurdle: 9-4 Cue Card, 6-1 Spirit Son, 8-1 Sprinter Sacre, 10-1 Recession Proof, Zaidpour, 14-1 Minella Class, Rock On Ruby, 16-1 Al Ferof, Backspin, Hidden Universe, So Young, Unaccompanied, 20-1 Day Of A Lifetime, Gagewell Flyer, Gibb River, Marsh Warbler, Sam Winner, Shot From The Hip, 25-1 First Lieutenant, Kid Cassidy, Toubab, 33-1 Act of Kalanisi, Dunraven Storm, Earlson Gray, Iolith, Magens Star, 40-1 BAR (E/W 1/4 1,2,3)

Irish Independent Arkle: 4-1 Finians Rainbow, 9-2 Ghizao, Medermit, 10-1 Captain Chris, Realt Dubh, 16-1 Starluck, 20-1 Mikael D’Haguenet, 25-1 Dan Breen, Pepe Simo, Rock Noir, 33-1 Bellvano, Blazing Tempo, Giorgio Quercus, Stagecoach Pearl, 40-1 Bar (E/W 1/4 1,2,3)

Stewart Family Spinal Research Handicap Chase: 6-1 Bensalem, 12-1 Blazing Bailey, Midnight Chase, 16-1 Backbenscher, Chief Dan George, Great Endeavour, Junior, Meanus Dandy, Presenting Forever, Sunnyhillboy, 20-1 Big Fella Thanks, Hey Big Spender, Niche Market, Ogee, Reve De Sivola, Take The Breeze, The Tother One, 25-1 King Troy, Knockara Beau (E/W 1/4 1,2,3)

Stan James Champion Hurdle: 3-1 Binocular, 5-1 Hurricane Fly, Menorah, 6-1 Peddlers Cross, 12-1 Oscar Whisky, 14-1 Bensalem, Dunguib, Mille Chief, 20-1 Cue Card, Khyber Kim, 40-1 Get Me Out Of Here, Soldatino, Starluck, 50-1 Clerk’s Choice, Overturn, Thousand Stars, Zaynar, Ronaldo Des Mottes, Tocca Ferro, Walkon, 66-1 Alavain, Blackstairmountain, Barizan, Salden Licht, Solix, 100-1 Notus De La Tour, Sublimity, 150-1 Bygones Of Brid (E/W 1/4 1,2,3)

Glenfarclas Cross-Country: 9-2 Garde Champetre, 6-1 L’Ami, 13-2 Sizing Australia, 10-1 King Johns Castle, Maljimar, 11-1 A New Story, 12-1 Arabella Boy, 16-1 Another Jewel, 25-1 Freneys Well (E/W 1/4 1,2,3)

Centenary Novices’ Handicap Chase: 12-1 Divers, Robinson Collonges, 14-1 Aigle D’Or, American Trilogy, Hell’s Bay, 16-1 On Borrowed Wings, Ravethebrave, Rebel Du Maquis, 20-1 Beshabar, Hollo Ladies, Pause And Clause (E/W 1/4 1,2,3)

David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle: 5-4 Quevega, 5-1 Tarla, 6-1 Sparky May, 10-1 Morning Supreme, Our Girl Salley, 12-1 Banjaxed Girl, Caroles Legacy, 16-1 L’Accordioniste, 20-1 Macville, Pearlysteps, Vino Griego, 33-1 Amber Brook, Santera (E/W 1/4 1,2,3)

WEDNESDAY

National Hunt Chase: 6-1 Chicago Grey, 8-1 Alfa Beat, 10-1 Quito De La Roque, 11-1 Wayward Prince, 12-1 Some Target, 14-1 Beshabar, Magnanimity, Quel Esprit, Sona Sasta, 16-1 Aberdale, Chamirey, Gonebeyondrecall, Quantitativeeasing, 20-1 BAR (E/W 1/4 1,2,3)

Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle: 4-1 Oscars Well, 6-1 Bobs Worth, 15-2 So Young, 8-1 Rock On Ruby, 9-1 Minella Class, 14-1 Backspin, First Lieutenant, Zaidpour, 16-1 Court In Motion, 20-1 Al Ferof, Day Of A Lifetime, Earlson Gray, Our Girl Salley, 25-1 Ballyhaunis, Bishopsfurze, Gagewell Flyer, Macville, Pride In Battle, Shot From The Hip, Tornado Bob, 33-1 BAR (E/W 1/4 1,2,3)

RSA Chase: 9-4 Time For Rupert, 8-1 Aiteenthirtythree, Jessies Dream, 10-1 Wymott, 12-1 Mikael D’Haguenet, Wayward Prince, 14-1 Master of the Hall, Quito De La Roque, 16-1 Bostons Angel, Wishfull Thinking, 20-1 Magnanimity, Quel Esprit, 25-1 Beshabar, 25-1 Tarablaze, The Giant Bolster, 33-1 BAR (E/W 1/4 1,2,3)

Sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase: 9-4 Master Minded, 10-3 Big Zeb, 7-1 Somersby, 15-2 Woolcombe Folly, 10-1 Captain Cee Bee, 12-1 Golden Silver, Tataniano, 14-1 Sizing Europe, 20-1 French Opera, 33-1 Crack Away Jack, Gauvain, J’y Vole, Petit Robin, 40-1 Mad Max 50-1 BAR (E/W 1/4 1,2,3)

Coral Cup: 10-1 Aegean Dawn, 12-1 Call the Police, 14-1 For Non Stop, Get Me Out Of Here, Ghimaar, Walkon, 16-1 Escort’men, James De Vassy, Pistolet Noir, Royal Mix, 20-1 Benash, Bothy, Bygones Of Brid, Frascati Park, Organisateur, Shalone, Sir Harry Ormesher, The Betchworth Kid, 25-1 Any Given Day, Bella Haze, Trenchant,(E/W 1/4 1,2,3)

Fred Winter: 6-1 A Media Luz, 12-1 Local Hero, Plan A, 14-1 Sailors Warn, 16-1 Domination, Pantxoa, 20-1 Daafer, Indian Daudaie, Kumbeshwar, Rock Of Deauville, Third Intention, 25-1 Franklino, Jubail, 33-1 Tiptronic (E/W 1/4 1,2,3)

Weatherbys Champion Bumper: 9-1 Knight Pass, 10-1 Ericht, 12- Samain, 14-1 Ebanour, Keys, Lord Gale, Persian Snow, 16-1 Cheltenian, Montbazon, Oscara Dara, Raise The Beat, 20-1 Bygones In Brid, Celtic Folklore, Dylan Moss, Star Neuville, Twentyfourcarat, 33-1 Accordingtojodie, 40-1 Mississippi River (E/W 1/4 1,2,3)

THURSDAY

Jewson Novice Chase: 7-1 Noble Prince, 8-1 Captain Chris, 9-1 Hells Bay, 10-1 Wishfull Thinking, 12-1 Loosen My Load, Realt Dubh, 14-1 Jessies Dream, Mr Gardner, 20-1 Quel Esprit, Robinsons Collonges, Royal Charm, Surfing, Wymott, 25-1 BAR (E/W 1/4 1,2,3,4)

Pertemps: 12-1 Sivota, 14-1 Alfie Spinner, Barafundle, Kilcrea Kim, Ravage D’Or, 16-1 Buena Vista, Chartreux, Cross Kennon, Lush Life, Square Sphere, 20-1 Ashkazar, Barwell Bridge, Duke of Lucca, Gwanako, Mr Moonshine, Viking Blond, 25-1 Mabaasher, Salpierre, The Betchworth Kid, 33-1 Arcalis, Square Sphere (EW 1/4 1,2,3,4)

Ryanair Chase: 4-1 Poquelin, 6-1 Riverside Theatre, 8-1 Tranquil Sea, 10-1 Albertas Run, Kalahari King, 12-1 Golden Silver, 14-1 J’y Vole, Kempes, 25-1 Captain Cee Bee, Gauvain, Joncol, Noland, Tartak, The Nightingale, Weird Al, 33-1 BAR (E/W 1/4 1,2,3)

Ladbrokes World Hurdle: 11-10 Big Buck’s, 9-4 Grands Crus, 10-1 Mourad, 16-1 Fiveforthree, Karabak, Oscar Whisky, Punchestowns, Quevega, Zaynar, 20-1 Celestial Halo, 25-1 Ashkazar, Mikael D’Haguenet, Solwhit, Thousand Stars, 33-1 Any Given Day, Cross Kennon, Khyber Kim, Powerstation, Restless Harry, Souffleur, 50-1 BAR (EW 1/4 1,2,3)

Ladbrokes World Hurdle w/o Big Buck’s: 10-11 Grands Crus, 4-1 Mourad, Karabak, Oscar Whisky, Quevega, Zaynar, 8-1 Celestial Halo, 10-1 Fiveforthree, Punchestowns, 12-1 Mikael D’Haguenet, Solwhit, 14-1 Ashkazar, Khyber Kim, 16-1 Any Given Day, Souffleur, Thousand Stars, 20-1 Cross Kennon, Fair Along, Organisateur, Powerstation, Restless Harry, 25-1 Berties Dream, Beshabar, Blackstairmountain, Shalone 33-1 BAR (EW 1/4 1,2,3)

Byrne Group Plate: 10-1 Bensalem, Great Endeavour, Sunnyhillboy,14-1 Fistral Beach, 16-1 Aigle D’Or, Call Me A Legend, Dancing Tornado, Mad Max, Robinson Collonges, 20-1 Hells Bay, King Troy, Little Josh, Mount Oscar, Pasco, 25-1 Fiendish Flame, Pearlysteps, Psycho, Shakalakaboomboom, Vino Griego (E/W 1/4 1,2,3,4)

Kim Muir: 12-1 Junior, 14-1 Galant Nuit, Quinz, 16-1 Swing Bill, 20-1 Forzy Origny, Gullible Gordon, Mostly Bob, Picture This, Richards Sundance, Rustarix, Sound Stage, 25-1 Faasel, 33-1 Knowhere (E/W 1/4 1,2,3,4)

FRIDAY

JCB Triumph Hurdle: 5-1 Grandouet, 7-1 Unaccompanied, 10-1 Sam Winner, 12-1 A Media Luz, Marsh Warbler, Smad Place, 14-1 Brampour, Moose Moran, 20-1 Houblon Des Obeaux, Kazzene, Third Intention, 25-1 Kumbeshwar, Local Hero, Sailors Warn, 33-1 Celtus, Comedy Act, Fearless Falcon, Higgy’s Ragazzo, Molotof, Plan A, Pullyourfingerout, Silver Shuffle, Table Mountain, Tillahow, Tonic Mellysse, Tony Star, Trop Fort, Twigline, Zarkander, 40-1 BAR (E/W 1/4 1,2,3)

Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle: 10-1 Recession Proof, 11-1 Aegean Dawn, 12-1 Call the Police, Final Approach, 14-1 Bothy, Dirar, Escort’men, Get Me Out Of Here, Salden Licht, 16-1 Alaivan, Any Given Day, Hunterview, Notus De La Tour, Ski Sunday, Soldatino, 20-1 Art Professor, Carlito Brigante, Eradicate, The Betchworth Kid, 25-2 Sir Harry Ormesher, 33-1 Dona, (E/W 1/4 1,2,3,4)

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle: 7-1 Court In Motion, 8-1 Back in Focus, Bobs Worth, 10-1 Join Together, Oscars Well, So Young, 12-1 Kilcrae Kim, 14-1 Champion Court, 16-1 First Lieutenant, For Non Stop, 20-1 Bishopsfurze, Habbie Simpson, Mossley, Sybarite, Teaforthree, 25-1 Allee Garde, Dynaste, Fully Funded, Gagewell Flyer, Highland Valley, Our Island, Raptor, Spirit Of Adjisa, Tornado Bob, 33-1 BAR (E/W 1/4 1,2,3)

Totesport Gold Cup: 7-2 Imperial Commander, 13-2 Long Run, 7-1 Denman, Kauto Star, 10-1 Diamond Harry, 16-1 Pandorama, 20-1 Kempes, Midnight Chase, Snowy Morning, 33-1 Neptune Collonges, Punchestowns, Tidal Bay, 40-1 Joncol, 50-1 Planet Of Sound, Synchronised, Weird Al, What a Friend, 66-1 BAR (E/W 1/4 1,2,3)

Foxhunters’ Chase: 7-2 Baby Run, 6-1 On The Fringe, 8-1 Just Amazing 9-1 Cork All Star, 12-1 Dante’s Storm, Kilty Storm, 14-1 Gone To Lunch, Hoo La Baloo, 16-1 Sericina, 20-1 Templer, William Somers, 25-1 Blu Teen (E/W 1/4 1,2,3)

Martin Pipe Conditionals Hurdle: 12-1 Dynaste, Prince DuSeuil, 14-1 For Non Stop, Jetnova, 16-1 Benash, Shalone, 20-1 Aather, Secret Dancer, 25-1 Battle Group, Chance du Roy, Dona (EW 1/4 1,2,3,4)

Johnny Henderson Grand Annual: 10-1 French Opera, Pepe Simo, Tanks For That, 14-1 Oh Crick, 16-1 Anquetta, Cornas, Dan Breen, Dave’s Dream, Rivaliste, 20-1 Consigliere, First Point, I’msingingtheblues, Mr Stickler, Radium, Stagecoach Pearl, 25-1 Gilbarry, Pigeon Island, 33-1 Osric (E/W 1/4 1,2,3,4)