Henderson outlines potential routes to Cheltenham for talented Seven Barrows squad

After a successful festive period, Nicky Henderson is mulling over possible routes to the Cheltenham Festival with some of his Seven Barrows aces.

A December which started with Lulamba scooping top honours at Sandown then saw Impose Toi’s Long Walk Hurdle success prove the perfect precursor to Sir Gino’s dazzling return in the Christmas Hurdle and Jango Baie announcing himself as a Gold Cup candidate when fourth in the King George.

Henderson suggested it will be the “Unibet (International) Hurdle or nothing” before the Festival for Champion Hurdle favourite Sir Gino, but Trials day could also be the preferred option for his stablemates should the master of Seven Barrows decide for one more outing before Presbury Park’s showpiece event in the spring.

After also being a keen observer of the action in Ireland, Henderson said: “None of them have to run again and for Jango Baie it could be the Cotswold Chase or maybe the Denman Chase. Jango Baie is remarkably fresh and they are all fresh and well.

“We can all form our own opinions from watching (the racing in Ireland) but the Gold Cup is our intention with Jango Baie and we know our intention with Sir Gino – we know roughly where they are going.

“The Stayers’ Hurdle is also interesting from Impose Toi’s point of view and we’ve a good few bullets to fire, but we have to concentrate on what we’re doing rather than worrying about the others.

“Impose Toi, does he need to run again? He’s so lazy at home you would say ‘yeah, he could do’ and there is only really one race for him (the Cleeve). But we’ve a lot of options.

“I think we’re starting to know where our ducks are lining up and I always say by January 1 you should know what your squad for Cheltenham is beginning to look like and you have to say ‘OK, it looks quite solid’.”

While running plans for his elders may be up in the air, one member of the Lambourn string guaranteed for another outing before his anticipated clash with the likes of Kopek Des Bordes in the Arkle is impressive Henry VIII scorer Lulamba.

He is set for an appearance on February 7 with Warwick’s Kingmaker Novices’ Chase currently shading preference over a step into open company for the Game Spirit at Newbury on the same afternoon.

Henderson said: “Lulamba could run tomorrow he’s that fresh. He does need to run again and it will be Warwick or Newbury, but the Kingmaker looks the obvious one for him.

The Lambourn great is also resisting the temptation to move up in trip with Jonbon, who will head to Ascot on January 17 to defend his Clarence House Chase crown.

Henderson said: “Jonbon will go to the Clarence House. JP (McManus, owner) is very keen and he’s in great form.

“What’s Willie going to do? But we know what we’ll do and we’re going Clarence House.”