Cheltenham Festival ‘madness’ as bookies slash odds of Nicky Henderson horse who ‘can’t run’

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CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL ‘madness’ has kicked in – after bookies slashed the odds of a Nicky Henderson horse who ‘can’t run’ there.

JP McManus’ brilliant mare Joyeuse hammered rivals in last weekend’s big William Hill Hurdle at Newbury.

Two jockeys racing horses at Newbury Racecourse. — Awesome grey Joyeuse hammered rivals in the William Hill Hurdle and was made 8-1 for the County – but won’t run at Cheltenham

Sent off 9-2 under Nico de Boinville, she travelled like an absolute dream and cruised home by eight lengths.

Bookies immediately slashed her odds to 8-1 for the County Hurdle at next month’s Festival.

But both Henderson and De Boinville hit out at the qualifying criteria for the handicaps after it emerged Joyeuse would not run.

A horse has to run five times before the Festival to be eligible for this year’s County.

Joyeuse has run four times since January 8 but Henderson said he will not squeeze another in before March.

De Boinville said the whole situation was ‘madness’ – adding: “She went through the race really easy and jumped great. It was very straightforward.

“It’s madness she can’t go to Cheltenham.

“I’d say it’s pretty much bonkers that you can win a handicap like that but can’t run at Cheltenham, there’s more money here than Cheltenham.”