Cheltenham Festival 2026: Constitution Hill Absent but Nicky Henderson Remains Strong

Few horse racing yards have felt the highs and lows of the jumping game more than that of Nicky Henderson in the first half of the 2025/26 campaign. The season began with excitement, with flagbearer Constitution Hill reportedly showing much of his old zest and Sir Gino over his ailment and ready to continue his ascent to the top. By the end of January, Constitution Hill’s future as a jumps horse was in doubt, following yet another fall on his seasonal return in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

Poor old Sir Gino had fared even worse. A brilliant winner of the Christmas Hurdle on his comeback, he then fractured his pelvis in the International Hurdle. Thankfully, Sir Gino is expected to make a full recovery, but if we do see him again at the track, it won’t be in the current campaign.

The Show Must Go On at the Cheltenham Festival

Happily, it hasn’t been all doom and gloom for Henderson. Constitution Hill is set to be repurposed as a flat performer, bringing excitement without the peril to his legions of fans. And while old stars are sidelined, others have emerged – particularly in the two-mile division, where Henderson so often excels.

With the decision made regarding Constitution Hill’s future, Henderson is now free to focus on the four most important days of the season. With 75 wins, Henderson is already the most successful British trainer in the history of the Cheltenham Festival, and sits second on the all-time list behind Willie Mullins. If the master of Seven Barrows is to enter the winners’ enclosure once again, the following stars may be the most likely to take him there.

Lulamba – Singer Arkle Novices’ Chase

Joe and Marie Donnelly have endured a frustrating start to the campaign following the season-ending injuries to State Man and Sir Gino. The absence of those stars has dealt a blow to their Champion Hurdle aspirations, but there is a good chance Lulamba may carry the yellow and black checked silks to victory in the Arkle.

With eight previous wins, Henderson tops the all-time trainers’ table in the Arkle Chase, sitting two wins clear of Mullins. The Closutton handler looks set to be strongly represented once again, with the 2025 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Kopek Des Bordes, but it is Lulamba who currently heads the market. A close second in the 2025 Triumph Hurdle, the five-year-old has made a flawless start over fences, including when stepping into open company to claim the Game Spirit Chase last time. Henderson’s two previous Game Spirit winners to tackle the Arkle went by the names of Arkle and Sprinter Sacre. That sets a high standard for Lulamba to match, but Henderson has never hidden the regard in which he holds this French recruit.

Old Park Star – Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

If Henderson is to strike gold, he is most likely to do so on the opening day. A little over half an hour before Lulamba lines up in the Arkle, Henderson saddles the ante-post favourite in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Formerly based with Paul Nicholls, for whom he failed to win in three bumper outings, this Gordon and Su Hall-owned runner has sprouted wings since being sent over hurdles. Following an easy win at Kempton, he announced himself as a star in the making with a 12-length romp on the New Course at Cheltenham in December. Moving up to Grade 2 company, he improved again with a brilliant 18-length victory. That effort earned him a rating of 151, which is three pounds higher than that of Constitution Hill ahead of his 2022 win in this race.

Jonbon – Ryanair Chase

If only one Henderson-trained horse could get his head in front at this year’s festival, many neutrals would choose this wonderful JP McManus-owned runner. Now 10 years old, Jonbon has struck an incredible 12 times in Grade 1 company – in the modern era, only Kauto Star has won more top-tier contests over fences. He has also won twice at Cheltenham in the November event of the Shloer Chase. However, despite all that, his career form figures at the Cheltenham Festival stand at 2-2-2. Hot on the heels of a Grade 1 double in the Clarence House Chase and the Ascot Chase, could this be the year he finally gets it right on the biggest stage of all?

Jango Baie – Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup

Last but not least, we have the festival’s signature event. 12 years have passed since Henderson landed his second Gold Cup with Bobs Worth, with his most recent near miss seeing Santini finish a close second in 2020. In Jango Baie, he may have the horse to bring his wait for a third triumph to an end.

Unlike Jonbon, this seven-year-old does have a Cheltenham Festival success on his CV. That victory came when parachuted into the 2025 Arkle Chase as a late replacement for Sir Gino. Racing over a trip at the bottom of his range, he came with a relentless late rattle to get up in the shadow of the post. Kept to more suitable distances this season, he has posted a nine-length win in the 1965 Chase and lost out by just half a length when fourth in a vintage renewal of the King George VI Chase. Proven up the hill and with an additional two furlongs to play with, plenty like his chances of turning the tables with his Kempton conquerors.

Henderson struck twice at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. With the above quartet arriving in form, and further chances throughout the week, plenty of punters will fancy his chances of at least matching that tally.