Nicky Henderson’s Cheltenham Festival wrecked by illness spreading through yard

Nicky Henderson, the top British trainer at Cheltenham, is enduring his most miserable festival as apparent illness spreads through his yard with disastrous timing.

The 73-year-old is second only to Irishman Willie Mullins in all-time wins, but Constitution Hill’s pre-festival withdrawal has been followed by a glut of more bad luck.

Five of Henderson’s runners on Tuesday pulled up and on Wednesday, he described his despair after withdrawing a further three runners due to go out that day. Jonbon was among the trio, having been set to star in a fascinating rematch with El Fabiolo in the Betway Queen  Chase. Then Henderson’s Gold Cup hope Shishkin was also pulled due to health concerns ahead of Friday’s race.

There were major frustrations for other trainers on Wednesday, as the waterlogged Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase was cancelled, denying potential Grand National contenders from running.

Henderson, however, has suffered the worst fortunes of all at a festival he prioritises beyond any other for getting his horses in shape. He said in a statement: “I’m afraid we’ve had to make some very tough decisions following the very disappointing performances of all bar one of our horses yesterday. It was there for all to see that there’s obviously something affecting nearly all our horses and consequently we have reluctantly decided that Jonbon, First Street and Kingston Pride will not run today.

“It’s impossible to identify any reason for all the disappointments and none of these three horses have given us any cause for concern and all yesterday’s runners were scoped clean post-race and I’m glad to say all are sound this morning. There will unfortunately be further non-runners on Thursday and Friday.

“I hope everybody will appreciate that we have to do this in everybody’s interests, particularly the horses. It is very, very disappointing for everybody.”

Henderson is left with only one favourite across the 28-race meeting, with Sir Gino drifting to 7-4 since the announcement although he is still pencilled in to run the JCB Triumph Hurdle (1.30) on Friday. Shishkin was Britain’s leading chance in the Gold Cup.

Henderson added: “Very sadly it won’t be possible for Shishkin to run in the Gold Cup on Friday. He was scoped as have all our potential runners this week, but unfortunately he’s shown an unsatisfactory picture on which he couldn’t possibly run.

“He appears to be 100 per cent in himself and has been working and schooling better than ever and we really were looking forward to Friday. It’s hoped that along with all the other non-participants this week that they will be back in time for Aintree or Punchestown.”