Nicky Henderson looking to Supreme duo for perfect Festival start

Nicky Henderson has high hopes either Constitution Hill or Jonbon can give Britain a flying start to the Festival by winning the opening Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The Seven Barrows handler has always wanted to pitch them against each other to give the home team the best possible chance of foiling the Irish in the curtain raiser.

Both horses take unbeaten records over hurdles to the meeting, but in character they are polar opposites.

“It was always the plan to run them both but they are like cheese and chalk,” said Henderson.

“Jonbon will always be a bit flighty, it’s probably a help he’s in the first race and we’ll have ways and means of hopefully keeping the lid on him because he’ll be the one on his toes. We’ll protect him from the atmosphere.

“Nothing will worry Constitution Hill, he’s just so laid back. They will be two very good rides in the race. While Jonbon can be a bit keen in the race, there’s no danger of that for Constitution Hill!

“Jonbon had a proper race at Haydock, but he quickened up twice in horrible ground which I was pleased with. By running Constitution Hill again, I was never going to find a competitive race. There wasn’t anywhere else to go where you were going to get more than four or five runners (like in the Tolworth).”

Henderson compares both to his last two winners of the race, who went on to greater things.

“I think they are both very strong. Like Altior and Shishkin, you would like to think they are in their sort of league,” he went on.

“It is always the best race to win on the whole card to be honest with you. We want to see England 1 Ireland 0. It is nice to have two, as two is better than one.

“They have done everything right and I hope all goes well. There is no