Greenhope can cap Henderson's day
It looks set to be a great day for Henderson as he saddles a host of horses with winning chance across England.
Greenhope returned from a 10-month break to win nicely at this track in December, benefiting from a fine ride by Mick Fitzgerald in the process.
The Definite Article gelding made all, with Fitzgerald just steadying matters on the far turn before kicking on again in the straight.
Runner-up Hawadeth reopposes on better terms but Greenhope is going the right way and there is no-one better than Henderson at getting one ready for a valuable prize.
Greenhope has only been beaten twice in six starts over hurdles, once when suffering an injury, and he looks well worth the nap vote.
Henderson said: "He is in good form, but it is a very competitive race.
"Mick (Fitzgerald) rode a very good race on him last time but now we have got to do it all again.
"I imagine the tactics will be the same, although to be honest we don't have a lot of choice with him. It's how he likes to run and I don't think we're going to try and change him now."
Lord Sam can maintain his unbeaten record in the opening britishhorseracing.com Novices' Chase.
Victor Dartnall's eight-year-old has always promised to make up into a very decent chaser and so it is proving.
His debut win over Bal De Nuit at Huntingdon in November has been shown in a very good light since by the runner-up.
His latest success over Native Emperor was also against a victim who scored next time, although with more than a touch of good fortune.
Third in the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle last season, Lord Sam looks the real thing a stayer with gears who can go all the way to the top.
He will be a short price, and so will Henderson's Caracciola in the Pacemaker Magazine Novices' Chase.
He lowered the colours of Arkle favourite Thisthatandtother last time and should further enhance his own Festival prospects with a straightforward success.
Henderson also has major claims with Shamdian in the Pacemaker Magazine Juvenile Novices' Hurdle.
The ex-French four-year-old made a perfectly satisfactory debut for his new connections at Sandown earlier this month when he finished a staying-on third to Dickens.
It is also hard to get away from Henderson's Petanque in the connaught.plc.uk Handicap Hurdle at Wincanton.
This one had been a possible for the Lanzarote after running well without winning in decent company so far this season, but he faces an easier task here with Andrew Tinkler taking a valuable 3lb off his back.
