Rain is no bad thing for Henderson’s hopes

NICKY HENDERSON welcomed the rain which has maintained cut in the ground at Cheltenham as he put the finishing touches on a 24-strong team for next week’s Festival.

And the trainer voiced his hope that slower conditions may see some of the races run at a sensible pace.

Henderson, who saddled Trabolgan (Royal & SunAlliance Chase), Juveigneur (Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Memorial Chase) and Liberthine (Mildmay Of Flete) to score at the 2005 fixture, believes a more cautious approach from the men on board would benefit everybody.