Old Park Star Delivers Perfect Start for Nicky Henderson at Cheltenham Festival
The 2026 Cheltenham Festival kicked off in spectacular fashion on Tuesday, with Old Park Star claiming victory in the opening race, the Skybet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. This triumph provided trainer Nicky Henderson with a flawless start to the prestigious meeting, marking his sixth win in the festival's first race.
A Gritty Performance from the Favourite
Ridden by jockey Nico de Boinville, Old Park Star entered as the 15-8 market leader and lived up to expectations with a determined display. The race saw Sober Glory set an early pace, with Irish contender Mighty Park tracking closely. However, as the race progressed, Mighty Park faded, allowing Mydaddypaddy to emerge as a challenger on the uphill climb.
Despite the pressure, Old Park Star pressed on bravely, securing victory by a length and a half over Sober Glory. Mydaddypaddy finished a mere nose behind in third place, showcasing the competitive nature of the event.
Henderson Reflects on Historic Victory
A jubilant Nicky Henderson, greeted by raucous applause, reflected on his long-standing association with the race. "We’ve been here a long time, so we’ve got to know each other!" he quipped. "This is a race that’s been kind to us over the years. It’s always a good race, and the best novice hurdlers are all coming out to play."
Henderson highlighted the quality of his past winners, noting: "You have to have a good horse, and we’re very lucky they’ve come along – it’s a long time since our first one in River Ceiriog in 1986. Constitution Hill was obviously freaky when he won it, and then your Altiors and Shishkins went on to jump fences. I would imagine that will be next year’s game for this horse."
Optimism for the Future
With the recent retirement of Constitution Hill from jumps racing, Henderson expressed optimism about Old Park Star's potential. "On a day we’ve said goodbye to Constitution Hill, it’s nice to come straight in and bring on a new one we hope could be a star. These young horses keep you going, and I’m not going anywhere unless they want to pension us off!" he said.
He also emphasised the significance of an early British victory in the festival. "The first race on the first day is the best one you can get, and England are one up over Ireland! I don’t know if we’ll be saying that on Friday night, but we’ll keep trying."
Race Analysis and Trainer Insights
Analysing the race, Henderson added: "It got tough up there. Turning into the straight, he had to quicken off what looked a good, solid pace – he had to be brave to come up the hill like that. He’s still a big baby in our opinion – I think in another year he’ll be a much better horse. He’s quick and tough, and his jumping is sound. He’s got a huge future in front of him."
Notably, the top four finishers – Old Park Star, Sober Glory, Mydaddypaddy, and Alan King’s Baron Noir – were all trained in Britain, representing the only home-based runners in the field.
Reactions from Other Trainers
Joint-trainer Johnson White expressed mixed emotions about Sober Glory’s second-place finish. "I couldn’t be more delighted with the run, obviously very disappointed to finish second, particularly as it looked like he would win it going to the last, but as we said before today, we would have accepted that result before the race," he stated. White, who trains with Philip Hobbs, sees a bright future for the horse, potentially over fences next season.
Dan Skelton praised Mydaddypaddy’s third-place effort: "It was an almighty run from a five-year-old, I couldn’t be prouder of the horse. He left nothing out there, and we’ll look forward to coming back in the Arkle next year. The winner will probably be favourite again, but I would hope we have something to say about that."
Alan King was equally pleased with Baron Noir’s fourth-place finish, stating: "He’s confirmed the Punchestown bumper form with El Cairos (fifth), and I couldn’t be more chuffed. He’s an exciting horse."
The 2026 Cheltenham Festival continues with high expectations, as Old Park Star's victory sets a thrilling tone for the remaining races.
