Cheltenham Festival's most celebrated British trainer, , disclosed that he used to have lengthy conversations with about horses over the phone.

The prominent handler, who has over 60 winners - a known - tasted his 74th Festival victory on Tuesday for the Brits. Before the race, the 74-year-old trainer opened up about his intimate bond with the late monarch, revealing that before her passing in 2022, they engaged in weekly Sunday phone calls to discuss horses.

"Some Sundays it would be short and sweet, and some you'd just get the feeling she'd nothing on and if she wasn't being hounded by politicians or press, we'd talk for hours on the foals, the yearlings, pedigrees, the track." Henderson told . "She loved it. I think the horses, and talking about them, was quite relaxing. I think it can be quite a lonely life."

Trainer Henderson also revealed that the late Queen was no one to be trifled with when it came to horse racing matters. "Very much so," Henderson affirmed, recalling her forthright nature. "But she knew what she was talking about. I've got people who tell me what to do and what not to do, but they haven't got the first clue."

With a remarkable tally of now 73 winners at the prestigious four-day Cheltenham Festival, Henderson is gearing up for this week's event with a strong lineup. But his biggest hopeful, Constitution Hill, fell under Nico de Boinville in the bid to regain his 2023 Champion Hurdle title.

On Friday, star novice Lulamba is heavily favoured for the Triumph Hurdle, though his owners, the Donnellys, would have hoped they would lift up the Arkle Trophy - won by Jango Baie - with superstar in the making Sir Gino. The son of It's Gino was an odds-on shot for the race before a wound on his hind leg became infected.

Another of Henderson's crop that was due to run in Friday's novice opener was Palladium - a German Derby winner on the flat who cost a staggering £1.2million. Lady Bamford's colt, who it has been said will campaign on the flat in the future with the view to stand at stud, was a general 9-1 shot for the Grade 1 affair but has suffered a setback.

"We have had quite a blow this morning when it appears that Palladium had got cast overnight and is quite sore this morning and we really can't see how he can be fit to run in the JCB Triumph Hurdle," Henderson said on X. "This is dreadful news and an unfair shock for the Bamford family as we seriously thought we had an outstanding chance on Friday.

"We are confident he will soon be able to resume training but he will require a few easy days. He would be back in time for Aintree but I think in all probability he will now return to his Flat career. He is a very good looking and talented young horse with a great temperament and he has a really bright future under both codes."