The 2025 Cheltenham Festival, unfolding from March 11-14, is a glittering stage for racing’s brightest stars, but one horse holds a special place in Nicky Henderson’s heart: Mister Coffey. In the Racing Post’s Unibet-sponsored preview, Henderson’s affection for his Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase hopeful shone through like a beacon. This isn’t about favoritism or dazzling form—it’s a trainer’s soft spot for a quirky, winless warrior chasing a fairy-tale moment on Wednesday, March 12—Ladies Day. Could this be Mister Coffey’s last dance, and perhaps his first victory after all these years?
The Guilty Pleasure: Henderson’s Heartstring Tug
Midway through the preview, as the panel dissected the Cross Country Chase, Henderson’s tone softened, a rare crack in his usual steely demeanor.
“Mister Coffey’s my guilty pleasure,” he confessed, a grin breaking across his face.
“He’s been knocking on the door for ages.”
At ten years old, with a stark 3-for-22 record, Mister Coffey’s stats scream long shot—yet Henderson’s hope burns bright.
“He’s been second twice over these fences this season,” he noted, pointing to a November near-miss, beaten by a neck, and a December runner-up finish to Stumptown by a length.
Listed at a speculative big price—think 33/1 or higher—he’s no punter’s banker, but for Henderson, it’s deeply personal.
“You can’t help but love him,” he said, eyes twinkling with the kind of warmth reserved for a horse that’s more than just a runner. Nico de Boinville, his regular partner, echoed the sentiment:
“He’s a character—keeps us smiling.”
This isn’t about odds—it’s about a bond forged over years of near-misses and relentless effort.
Cross Country Calling: Mister Coffey’s Perfect Stage
The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (15:20, March 12), a grueling 3-mile-6-furlong slog over 32 unique obstacles—banks, ditches, hedges—suits Mister Coffey’s plucky, never-say-die style.
Henderson’s optimism isn’t blind faith:
“He’s run really well over the course—second last time out—and he’s fit.”
That December effort saw Nico push Stumptown to a one-length verdict, with Mister Coffey “finishing like he wanted more,” per Paul Kealy.
“He’s got stamina in spades,” Nico added, recalling how he rallied late over Cheltenham’s twisting track.
Tom Segal chimed in:
“He’s got a chance at a big price—loves the track.”
The panel expects softish ground early, drying later—conditions Mister Coffey’s tackled before, placing second on good-to-soft in November.
Against Delta Work (9/4), a two-time winner, and Billaway (8/1), a festival veteran, he’s an outsider—but Henderson’s unshaken:
“He’s ready to give it a crack.”
Over 32 fences, this could be his stage—quirky course, quirky horse, perfect match.
The Maiden’s Journey: Chasing the Elusive Chase Win
Mister Coffey’s tale is a heartstring-tugger, a saga of near-misses and unyielding grit. “He’s been a maiden forever,” Henderson laughed, “but he’s got guts.”
His career’s a litany of close calls—second in the 2022 National Hunt Chase by a nose, third in graded company at Aintree, even a Grand National run where he led from the Canal Turn only to fade late. “He’s been desperately unlucky,” Henderson mused, recalling a string of strong efforts scuppered by fate—traffic trouble, a stumble, a rival’s late kick.
Nico shares the love: “He’s honest as the day is long—always tries his heart out.”
At ten, with 22 starts and no wins over fences, he’s an anomaly—yet his consistency shines: eight placings, five at Cheltenham. “He’s due—overdue,” Kealy said, nodding to his cross-country form.
Dive into cheltenham betting at Unibet—his big price and non-runner no bet offer make him a sentimental punt. “If he gets it right, who knows?” Henderson teased, daring to dream of that elusive first.
A Stable Star’s Shadow: Henderson’s Festival Depth
Mister Coffey dances in the shadow of Henderson’s giants—Constitution Hill (Champion Hurdle, 8/13), Jonbon (Queen Mother, 11/10), Luccia (Mares’ Hurdle, 5/2)—but he’s no mere footnote.
“He’s part of the team,” Henderson insisted, a nod to Seven Barrows’ depth that dominates festival chatter.
Nico’s the glue: “He’s one of ours—holds his own.” Jonbon’s Champion Chase buzz exemplifies that firepower—relive the stable magic:
“He’s not the flashiest, but he’s ours,” Henderson said warmly, a rare glimpse of sentiment from a titan with over 70 Cheltenham wins. Mister Coffey’s quirks—his loping stride, his knack for late rallies—make him a stable darling, even among the glitterati.
Ground and Grit: Wednesday’s Wild Card
Weather could sway Mister Coffey’s dance—softish ground early suits his plodding style. “He’s run well on softish—November was close,” Nico said, unfazed by forecasts.
Henderson agreed: “He’s handled it—grit gets him through.” Drying conditions by Wednesday, March 12 might test him—Delta Work and Billaway thrive on firmer turf—but Kealy’s optimistic: “Softish keeps him in it—he’s a grinder.” Segal’s each-way nod—“Worth a tickle”—leans on that resilience. “Ground’s a factor, but he’s adaptable,” Henderson mused, banking on heart over hooves.
The Last Dance: Triumph or Farewell?
Will Mister Coffey finally break his duck? Henderson’s pragmatic yet hopeful: “He’s got to step up, but he’s got a shout—Wednesday’s his day.” Segal’s cautious: “He’s a big price—could place.” while Kealy’s “he’s due” hints at belief.
Ed Nicholson’s market favors Delta Work and Galvin (5/1), but Unibet’s non-runner no bet offer keeps the dream alive at 33/1 or more—Nicholson grinned: “It’d be some story—a fairy tale.” For Henderson, it’s beyond numbers: “If he wins, I’ll be over the moon—it’s been a long road.”
Nico’s all-in: “He deserves it—let’s make it happen.” On March 12, 15:20, 3 miles 6 furlongs and 32 obstacles decide—triumph or a fond farewell? “He’s given everything—a win would be magic,” Jennings said, capturing the sentiment. Win or lose, Mister Coffey’s last dance is Henderson’s guilty pleasure—will Cheltenham’s roars crown his tale? Back him, and find out.