'Of course it's a relief' - Henderson given pre-Cheltenham Festival form boost

Concerns about the form of Nicky Henderson's stable ahead of next week's Cheltenham Festival were eased somewhat by the serene victory of Luccia in the Listed mares' bumper at Sandown.

The trainer had told punters not to worry on Wednesday but it had had been 20 days since he had graced the winner's enclosure and big-race favourite Balco Coastal was weak in the market prior to disappointing in the Imperial Cup.

"Of course it's a relief," he said. "It's nice to finish up the week knowing what's good is still good. We've not had many runners. You do worry a little."

Click here to watch Luccia's breezy win at Sandown

Henderson trained the filly's dam Earth Amber to finish second in the 2014 Sagaro Stakes and Luccia looked to share plenty of her mother's ability when pulling 17 lengths clear of the Willie Mullins-trained Eabha Grace for her second win in as many starts.

Luccia: bolted home at Sandown under Nico de BoinvilleCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

"She was impressive," he said. "We've been thinking we would win this all along. Two things: one Milton [Harris, trainer of favourite Mullenbeg] came in with a horse who was going to go to Cheltenham, then we had rain overnight which made the ground horrible. It didn't seem to bother her at all but I thought it would blunt her speed."

Henderson, who then sealed a welcome double when City Chief won at Hereford, added: "I'd have thought she could go for the mares' bumper at Aintree before the mares' novice hurdle next year. The mares' allowance was a big help."

The opening day of the festival will be crucial for the Seven Barrows handler, who fields Jonbon and Constitution Hill in the Supreme (1.30) and Epatante in the Champion Hurdle (3.30).

His superstar chaser Shishkin is considered the banker of the meeting for many in Wednesday's Champion Chase (3.30).

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