Cheltenham Countdown Special: Nicky Henderson on Jonbon, Constitution Hill & His Cheltenham Festival Team

The Final Furlong Podcast

News, Sports News, Leisure, Hobbies, Sports

4.7 • 1.6K Ratings

🗓️ 13 February 2026

⏱️ 24 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In the first of our special Festival countdown interviews, Emmet Kennedy sits down with legendary Seven Barrows trainer Nicky Henderson for a wide-ranging and revealing conversation about his leading contenders for March. 🟥 Jonbon – Ascot, Ryanair & Maturity Jonbon is now 10, chasing another Grade 1 and stepping up in trip at Ascot. Henderson explains: Why Jonbon is now far more amenable than in his early days The real purpose of the cheekpieces His concerns about soft ground Whether 2m5f is within range And why the Ryanair Chase may now be the natural Festival target Could he yet add another top-level victory to his CV and edge closer to the greats? 🟦 Supreme & Arkle – The New Generation Henderson also discusses: Old Park Star – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle favourite What makes him different? Is he ready for the white heat of Festival day? Lulamba – Arkle favourite after his Game Spirit success Does he deserve to be at the head of the market? 🟩 Constitution Hill – The Big Question Why run a former Champion Hurdler on the All-Weather over 1m4f? Henderson explains the thinking behind the move — and addresses the dilemma surrounding a return to the Champion Hurdle after three falls in his last four hurdle starts. 🟨 Gold Cup & Staying Division • Impose Toi and the Stayers’ Hurdle picture • Jango Baie and his Gold Cup credentials • How Henderson assesses readiness for Cheltenham versus protecting a horse’s long-term future This is a detailed, candid conversation about stable stars, Festival strategy and the balancing act of managing elite National Hunt talent. If you’re serious about understanding the Cheltenham Festival markets, this is essential listening. 🔵 Presented by 1xBet Ireland. More than 7,000 events per day, fast withdrawals & new customer specials 👉 ⁠https://cutt.ly/0r7bzDoH ⁠18+. T&Cs apply. Gamble responsibly. Your game. Your odds. Your 1xBet. 🔔 Subscribe on YouTube for weekly reviews, previews & Festival insight🎧 Follow on Spotify, Apple & Podbean for instant episode drops💬 Comment: Who is your horse to follow from the weekend?👍 Like & share to support the show and grow the community ⚡ Proven Form: Winners tipped recently at 20/1, 16/1, 14/1, 12/1, and 10/1.🎯 Smart betting meets sharp analysis — only on The Final Furlong Podcast. 1xBet social media pages: Х: https://x.com/1xbet_ireland Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1xbet.ie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1xbet.ie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/1xbet-ireland/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@1xBet_Ireland Form Tools: Proform is the essential tool for punters looking to make money from betting on Horse Racing. Our form book covers Jumps and Flat racing in the UK and Ireland. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.proformracing.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: @FinalFurlongPod Email: radioemmet@gmail.com In association with Adelicious Podcast Network. Hosted on Megaphone. Follow us for free on Spotify Podcasts https://open.spotify.com/show/3e6NnBkr7MBstVx5U7lpld Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Yeah, I'm one of their biggest fans. I've got all the vinyl. First saw them at a tiny little place in Camden. Then as festival headliners a few years back, now that was special. So there's no chance I'd miss their world tour in London, Lisbon and LA. Good thing I've been saving.
0:19.9	From down the road to across the globe, saving gets you there.
0:23.8	Join the millions of people already saving with NS&I.
0:27.4	Woo!
0:28.3	Visit NS&I.com.
0:31.6	Hiya, Kenny the hamster here, beloved pet of Doug and Carol Brookbank.
0:35.9	Now, I've got to hand it to Doug and
0:37.7	Kaza. They're doing school pickups, jobs, trips to the supermarket, and still find time to get
0:42.5	healthy. Apparently, it's down to some NHS Healthy Choices quiz. Only took them five minutes
0:47.9	to do, then gave them a simple plan to get started. Total amaze balls. Take your first
0:54.0	little step to Healthy.
0:55.5	Search NHS Healthy Choices quiz to get a score and a plan that's right for you.
1:00.3	Never miss an episode of the Final Furlong podcast.
1:03.5	Subscribe now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
1:09.2	And now, here's your host, Emmett Kennedy.
1:11.8	You're very welcome to the first in a series of special episodes
1:14.1	in the Final Fallon podcast as we continue our countdown
1:16.3	to the greatest show on turf at Cheltenham Festival.
1:18.5	And few names understand the pressure of the festival than this man.
1:22.5	From managing John Bond's evolution from a raw talent
1:24.9	to a horse who this weekend is bidding for his 12th grade one success to making headline-grabbing decisions with Constitution Hill. Nikki Henderson once again holds some of the festival's most compelling cards. We're going to talk about all of his leading contenders and the big stories in this episode of the show. Brought to you an association with Talk Sport 2 and also with 1X bet if you're betting in Ireland, click the link in the episode description. It will take you right to the betting partner of European champions Paris Saint-German and of Barcelona. More than 7,000 events for you to bet on every single day, fast withdrawals and new customer specials. If you're looking for bets on Cheltenham, click the link in the episode description. It will take you right to the OnexBet website in Ireland. 18 plus terms and conditions apply. Gamble responsibly. Your game, your odds. Your one-ex bet.
2:14.8	Nikki Henderson, it is a pleasure to be joined by you once again on the final fall on podcast. Good afternoon. Thanks to talk to you. I'm great to speak with you as well, Nikki. You've got the beloved John Bond running in the Betfair Ask a Chase this weekend.
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