CHELTENHAM NEWS

Henderson keeping faith in Santini

Trainer Nicky Henderson is confident Santini will perform well at the Cheltenham Gold Cup despite his poor recent form.

The eight-year-old, who is a former winner at Cheltenham, has made an underwhelming start to the season, finishing fifth in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Then, in the Cotswold Chase at Sandown on Saturday ? a race which he won last year ? he could only manage third behind Native River and Bristol de Mia.

Preparations for the Gold Cup have been hampered by postponements as Santini aims to go one better in the prestigious race having finished second last year.

However, Henderson is now fully focused on Cheltenham and says his charge can shine at a course at which he enjoys running.

He said: “We ummed and ahhed about going to run at Cheltenham (last weekend) before it was called off.

“But you have to ensure you get a run into them. We wanted to get a run into (Champion Hurdle hope) Buveur D’Air (before his defeat) at Haydock – because now all his possible alternatives have gone, like the (abandoned) Contenders Hurdle, which is what I was waiting for.

“I’m pleased we’ve done it, now it is over. He will just go to the Gold Cup. He loves Cheltenham – it is what he has been aimed at all year.”