The Seven Barrows battalion is always well represented at The Festival and this year is no exception.
The William Hill Trophy could see 2005 RSA Chase victor Trabolgan line up, having unseated when in contention at Doncaster last time, while Oedipe is another possible for the extended three-mile contest.
Henderson has engaged 13 hurdlers for the two mile, five furlong Coral Cup including the 13-year-old Royal Ascot hero Caracciola, the Queen’s Gold Award, last season’s Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle winner Andytown, Gerry Feilden Hurdle winner Fairyland, Ainama, Tasheba and the classy novice Quantitativeeasing.
Nine horses have been entered for the Listed Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase over two miles, five furlongs, including the well-regarded Wogan, successful in a three-mile novices’ handicap at Doncaster in January. Other possible contenders include the prolific mare Carole’s Legacy, Viking Rebel and The Polomoche.
French Opera has won his last three starts, including two at Cheltenham, and holds an entry in both the Irish Independent Arkle and the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase over two miles. Henderson has entered seven of his team for the latter, including Pepsyrock, Dave’s Dream and the classy mare My Petra, who holds multiple entries.
My Petra, runner-up in a Grade Two hurdle at Doncaster earlier this month, is also among three possible Henderson contenders for the two mile, five furlong Byrne Group Plate Handicap Chase. The others are Aigle D’Or and Shouldhavehadthat.
Ainama, Busker Royal, Andytown, Fairyland and the classy five-year-old Erzen have all been entered for the Pertemps Final over three miles, while those entered for two mile Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle are 2007 Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle third Afsoun his season’s Scottish County Handicap Hurdle victor Eradicate, Fairyland and the talented novices Bellvano and Black Coffee.
Trabolgan and Wogan are among seven entries for the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase over an extended three miles, one furlong for amateur riders. Other Henderson-trained entries include Fleet Street, Scots Dragoon and Polyfast, who defeated Wogan at Kempton in December.
The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle over an extended two and a half miles has attracted 15 Henderson-trained entries. Alongside the likes of Caracciola, My Petra, Gold Award, Quantitativeeasing, Erzen and Fairyland, are Kerada, unbeaten in three starts this term, the talented novice Lord Generous, course winners Spirit River and Radium, the unbeaten novice Peveril and the smart five-year-old Ranjobaie.
