Henderson hoping all systems go for Aintree

By Thursday night, it will either be happening or it won’t be happening, says trainer

The Grand National meeting kicks off tomorrow with a mouthwatering battle between Shishkin (above) and Gold Cup runner-up Gerri Colombe in the Aintree Bowl. Picture: Adam Davy/PA

Nicky Henderson expects to know by tomorrow evening whether his horses are over whatever was ailing them during the Cheltenham Festival, with Sir Gino and Shishkin all set for Aintree.

Henderson endured a miserable week in the Cotswolds and after racing on Wednesday of that week decided discretion was the better part of valour, pulling out all of his high-profile runners.