Nicky Henderson readies strong squad for Windsor's jumps return - and issues Sir Gino update

The return of jump racing at Windsor has been welcomed by Nicky Henderson, who is expecting to take a strong squad of runners to the meeting on Sunday.

A total of 171 entries were made for the Fitzdares-backed card on Monday as the Thamesside course prepares for its first jumps fixture in almost two decades.

Ascot runner-up Excello, Mistress Emma and Old Time Chaser are among some of the Seven Barrows team entered, and Henderson is excited by the return.

Horses gallop at Windsor in advance of the return of jump racingCredit: Darren Cool Images

He said: "I'm really looking forward to it, and it's a great thing for everybody. It was always a great course, even in the winter as back in the day you'd almost always get some decent ground.

"It's great to be back. It's going to be different because it's not going to be the traditional figure of eight. The back straight will be lovely, and a bit like going down the back at Newbury. It's an exciting and welcome new addition for racing."

A decision to drop jump racing from the Windsor programme was made in 1998, although the Arena Racing Company-owned track did host some of Ascot's winter fixtures during its redevelopment in 2004 and 2005.

Henderson added: "We've galloped some horses round there a couple of times, and we did that last year too."

Peaky Boy (left): unbeaten in three starts at CheltenhamCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Henderson, who celebrated his 74th birthday on Tuesday, is preparing for another busy weekend with runners across Cheltenham's two-day meeting on Friday and Saturday.

Willmount, the winner in three of his four starts, will make his first appearance in 12 months in the 2m1f handicap hurdle on Friday, while Mister Coffey will line up in the 3m5½f cross-country chase.

The Oli Harris-owned Peaky Boy, who is unbeaten in three starts at Cheltenham for Henderson, is entered in the 3m1½f novice handicap chase on Saturday.

The trainer said: "Peaky Boy is in very good form; Mister Coffey is also doing well. We've got experience this time and he has a race under his belt, so I hope he'll be very competitive."

Sir Gino: set to school with Constitution Hill on ThursdayCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Henderson provided an update on Fighting Fifth hero Sir Gino, whose next assignment is yet to be confirmed following his impressive eight-length victory over Lump Sum.

He said: "He's in very good form and will be schooling on Thursday with Constitution Hill. His plans are up in the air at the moment – it depends on a lot of things."

Read these next:

Windsor attracts bumper 171 entries with jump racing set to make a return to the Berkshire track on Sunday 

Windsor anticipating one of the biggest crowds of the year for first jumps meeting in almost two decades next weekend 

Nicky Henderson among trainers and jockeys who give general thumbs-up to reconfigured Windsor jumps track 

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