Mike Vince / 02 March 2010 Free Bet View Market

"Oscar Whisky will take on Dunguib in the opening Supreme Novices. He's very pacy, very talented and yet to come out of second gear. I was delighted with Sandown last time. He's never been involved in a battle but then neither has Dunguib. I think we may be in for one." - Nicky Henderson

Nicky Henderson sums it up like this:" A young team. Our strengths are our Novice Hurdlers and Novice Chasers. It's a big team and one that gives us great hopes for the longer term as well."

The short term hopes don't look bad either.

One of the big stories in the build up to Cheltenham 2010 has been how the RSA Chase on the second day will become one of the races of the meeting. Two of the major protagonists, Punchestowns, and the French bred Long Run are almost on speaking terms as they enjoy a walk around the Seven Barrows yard. It will all be different at Prestbury as they go head-to-head, and Henderson cannot wait.

"Long Run and Punchestowns could both go all the way. They are as good chasers as I have ever had. They've both had just two chases each in this country. Long Run has this amazing talent and you can do anything with him while Punchestowns, who will work at Newbury on Sunday, was good enough to win despite that mistake last time. Don't forget we run Burton Port as well and he has won four quality chases."

Even before we get that far Henderson is convinced he will have a major say in the opening days Champion Hurdle, with reigning Champion Punjabi and Triumph Hurdler Zaynar lining up for one of the most open renewals for many years.

"I am just sorry Binocular is not there" says Henderson, " but we have two big bullets and intend to fire them. Despite everything I am glad Zaynar had that run and I could not have been more pleased with Punjabi at Kempton. The main dangers look to be Irish. It's a plus both mine have won at Cheltenham, but remember Zaynar's success was over the New Course- and that's a stiffer test of stamina"

So what about the best Seven Barrows hopes;?

Henderson says: "Oscar Whisky will take on Dunguib in the opening Supreme Novices. He's very pacy, very talented and yet to come out of second gear. I was delighted with Sandown last time. He's never been involved in a battle but then neither has Dunguib. I think we may be in for one.

"Barbers Shop [who carries the Royal Colours in Thursday's Ryanair Chase] clearly does not get the extended three miles and the Ryanair Chase is absolutely the right race for him. I am very happy with him."

And for a dark horse?

"Sentry Duty will go for the World Hurdle" Henderson confirms. " This horse has to be totally fresh, and we'll find out if we have got it right on the day. Stamina is the issue. He is unproven over three miles. Punchestowns had to conceed to Big Buck's but if he stays Sentry Duty could yet frighten them."

"I'm the only thing getting older round here" jokes the Festival's most successful current trainer with 34 wins.

Nicky Henderson's 2010 team are young, talented and the trainers hopes are high. Only at the end of Festival week will we found out how much the man has actually aged.