Henderson on title fight: they say it's taking part that counts. Does it hell!

Nicky Henderson has shone a light on the intensity of the titanic trainers' championship duel being fought between Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott and stressed from personal experience that finishing second would horrify both men.

Henderson left Punchestown on Wednesday having been without a runner at Ireland's premier jumps festival for the first time in years.

Britain's champion trainer – who will take the crown for the fifth time at Sandown on Saturday – explained his failure to participate at Punchestown was largely due to the quality of horses being fielded by the arch rivals who are trading blows over a festival that will end 12 months of fierce competition.

The title race between Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins looks set to go right down to the wireCredit: Caroline Norris

Henderson, who has previously won and lost thrilling title duels with Paul Nicholls, said: "What an amazing thing this championship battle has become. After what happened here on Tuesday, for Willie Mullins and his team to come out and have had such an astonishing second day is just incredible.

"Paul and I have been doing the same thing for a few years now, so we have an idea how Willie and Gordon are feeling.

"I know people say it's the taking part that counts, but does it? Does it hell! We're playing a game and we want to win that game. Would you want to finish second?"

Explaining why his name has not appeared on Punchestown racecards this year, Henderson added: "I always have runners but this time I've just been able to come for a short break. With Willie and Gordon doing what they're doing, I wasn't keen on coming over for a drubbing.

"Fortunately they kept most of their big guns away from Aintree, so we concentrated on that. We had five Grade 1 winners there, and while I'm not saying that was because Willie and Gordon in the main stayed away – apart from the Grand National, of course – it certainly helped!"

Altior salutes the crowd, with groom Hussain Mohammed watching, after Altior's triumphCredit: Patrick McCann

Henderson - who completed back-to-back Champion Hurdle triumphs with Buveur D'Air in March - will very much be represented at Sandown on Saturday, when his squad will feature the sport's top performer, Altior, in the Bet365 Celebration Chase.

Reflecting on his season, he said: "We've had highs and we've had lows – and no one will know what going through those lows was like. We had to bury our heads for a bit and then pick ourselves up.

"Thankfully, we've had lots of good days but that's because I've got lots of good horses, good owners and brilliant staff.

"In fact, the staff are so good I even had time to take a weekend off to get married - and my wife has been brilliant!"

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