Henderson readies six-strong Betfair challenge
Leading the Seven Barrows assault on the valuable prize is ante-post favourite My Tent Or Yours, who will try to turn around what has been a dreadful week for JP McManus.
McManus has been hit with the death on the track of Darlan, a season-ending injury to the promising Ned Buntline, and the loss of the broodmare Like-A-Butterfly.
Although still in his novice season, My Tent Or Yours has shaped like an ideal type for this race, while at the other end of the career scale Punjabi bids for just his second success since his glory day at Cheltenham in March 2009.
Henderson said: “They have all got their own realistic chances. First In The Queue is at the bottom of the weights and has been running well in handicaps all year, and one day his number might come up.
“Punjabi is a Champion Hurdle winner running off 10st 12lb, we’re claiming another 5lb and he ran a great race in the Christmas Hurdle.
“Petit Robin has won a couple of races but has a very big weight, Lyvius is in there, and I suppose you would say My Tent Or Yours and Cash And Go are the two realistic ones. But all the horses are in there in their own right.”
The McManus colours will also be carried by the Eddie Harty-trained Princeton Plains, who ran a good race when sixth to fellow Betfair rival Cause Of Causes in The Ladbroke at Ascot in December.
“He ran a good race at Ascot the last day. He stayed on after being outpaced at halfway,” said racing manager Frank Berry.
“Eddie is very happy with him and it’s a great race to have a runner for him.
“We are hoping for the best.”
Cotton Mill faces the acid test ahead of the Cheltenham Festival when he makes his seasonal reappearance.
The six-year-old is as low as 16-1 for the Stan James Champion Hurdle, even though he has yet to run over two miles.
