Henderson looks ahead to Cheltenham

Nicky Henderson hopes a wind operation can work the oracle for Copsale Lad as the Lambourn trainer prepares his talented campaigner for a crack at the Paddy Power Gold Cup on 17 November.

The five-time winner was well-fancied for the race last season but was pulled up after being badly hampered around the halfway point.

Henderson said: ‘We had a suspicion all was not quite right with his wind, and hope surgery has put that right.

‘Over fences there are two crucial ingredients for Copsale Lad: good ground and a left-handed course, although admittedly he did win over hurdles on easy ground last season.

‘One day, somewhere, I'm sure he's going to win a big chase.’
Entries for the £120,000 Cheltenham handicap close on Wednesday and Copsale Lad's stablemate Crozan is also likely to feature among them.

Despite failing to score for almost two years, the Trevor Hemmings-owned seven-year-old was in the process of running a big race at the Cheltenham Festival before unshipping Mick Fitzgerald in March.

‘We saw glimpses last season of what Crozan is capable of achieving,’ Henderson told the Racing Post.

‘He was beaten a short head on his first start at Ascot, and was leading and still travelling well in the Ryanair Chase when falling coming down the hill - I thought he was the one to catch.

‘Crozan has returned in great order, there's no doubt that the talent is there.’