Five things we learned about Nicky Henderson's team - and the big question looming over Seven Barrows

Our Lambourn correspondent Liam Headd has caught up with Nicky Henderson to get the latest on the Seven Barrows superstars. Here we look at the five things we learned before the start of the core jumps season . . .

1 It's a patient approach with Sir Gino

Unbeaten superstar Sir Gino is on his own retrieval mission but due to circumstances beyond his control after a career-threatening condition forced him out of the second half of last season.

While Henderson was glad to report Sir Gino was ahead of schedule in his comeback, having not run since his sensational chase debut at Kempton last December, it is likely to be Christmas at the earliest before he graces the track again.

2 Jonbon to follow tried-and-tested route

There have long been calls for Henderson to step Jonbon up in trip, but the trainer is sticking to his guns, at least until this side of Christmas, with the tried-and-test two-mile route of the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham in November followed by the Tingle Creek at Sandown.

After Jonbon's season finished on a flat note with an odds-on defeat in the Celebration Chase last April, Henderson again mooted the possibility of three miles, but he clearly feels there is unfinished business over shorter, with a Champion Chase success a glaring omission from the nine-year-old's glittering CV.

3 Arkle winner has King George option

With Jonbon staying at two miles in the first half of the season, last term's Arkle winner Jango Baie could emerge as the main contender for the King George at Seven Barrows.

Jango Baie showed staying was definitely his forte when coming from well off the pace to win the Arkle in dramatic fashion and, although he finished the season with defeat in the 2m4f Manifesto Novices' Chase, going up to three miles could bring out more improvement.

4 Big Lulamba decision yet to be made

The wait to find out the route Lulamba – who Henderson says "could be anything" – will take this season will go on a little longer with connections yet to decide between hurdles or fences.

Lulamba, whose sole defeat in four starts came when a neck second in the Triumph Hurdle, could follow the same path Henderson and the Donnellys took with Sir Gino, who went chasing as a four-year-old after reappearing over hurdles.

. . . and what does the season hold for Constitution Hill?

Nicky Henderson usually sends the best of his two-mile hurdlers to the Fighting Fifth in November for an early-season sighter, but this year the long trip to Newcastle could prove absolutely crucial for Constitution Hill.

After the disastrous spring with jump racing's biggest star, Henderson knows any comeback has to start straight away and having given Constitution Hill a full MOT over the summer, he insists the eight-year-old "will be ready" for his return against potential superstar The New Lion.

'We'll be ready this year!' - Nicky Henderson makes Constitution Hill vow after full MOT that even included 'equine Specsavers'

'Magnificent' Sir Gino ahead of schedule in comeback - with Christmas return in the back of Nicky Henderson's mind

Tingle Creek the aim for Jonbon - but the King George is calling for another top-class Nicky Henderson two-miler

The Constitution conundrum: can Nicky Henderson really get him back to his best?