Irish Champion drama leaves Henderson guessing on Closutton threats

Nicky Henderson was as frustrated as anyone that the Irish Champion Hurdle concluded in the manner it did at the weekend, as he fine-tunes Constitution Hill ahead of his bid to reclaim the Unibet Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

With Willie Mullins running his two best hurdlers against each other at Leopardstown on Sunday, the Closutton pecking order looked set to become a good deal clearer.

However, with Lossiemouth taking a crashing fall, almost bringing State Man down in the process, the race effectively ended as a contest and Henderson was left none the wiser as to who his main threat will be on the opening day of the Festival.

“It took the gloss off the race, as we’d all liked to have seen what happened between Lossiemouth and State Man,” he said.

“Willie’s heart must have been in his mouth when she came down as she was very close to bringing State Man down.

“It gave State Man a nice, easy race as they were going very hard and it looked like being extremely interesting. I gather she is all right which is the most important thing.

“They need to decide which way they go with her (Mares’ Hurdle or Champion), from our point of view we keep calm, sit still and make sure we’re in good shape for whatever attacks us.

“I’m worried about all the challengers, we’ve got to do our own thing and whatever comes, comes. If Brighterdaysahead comes she would ensure a good, sound gallop – which probably means they’ll hold her up now!

“We’ve just got to concentrate on ourselves now, that is probably the last we’ll see of any of the protagonists before March. We’re happy where we are and let’s hope it stays that way.”

Henderson also houses the favourite for the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase in Jonbon, who beat Solness in the Tingle Creek, form very well advertised since by Joseph O’Brien’s improver who has come out and won two Grade Ones.

“I can always see things to worry about! Solness was very good, he’s been progressing all season,” Henderson told Sky Sports Racing.

“Jonbon is very happy to go the pace he wants to go, he’ll go on but if somebody wants to go quicker than that, and Solness looks like one that might, then so be it, we’ll get a lead.

“If he goes a good gallop he might take some pegging back, but there are plenty of others too.”