Richard Johnson's Cheltenham Festival Picks: Native River, Looks Like Trouble, and Lulamba (2026)

Richard Johnson, a legendary jockey, reflects on his illustrious career and shares his insights for the upcoming Cheltenham Festival.

A Golden Career Highlight: Johnson vividly recalls his most memorable Cheltenham Festival victory. The last Gold Cup, riding Native River, was a career-defining moment. As his career neared its end, this win held extra significance. Johnson reminisces about his early days, feeling invincible with Looks Like Trouble, but reality hit as 18 years passed before he tasted Gold Cup glory again. A powerful reminder of the fleeting nature of success and the importance of cherishing every triumph.

But here's where it gets intriguing... Johnson's pick for this year's Festival is a horse named Lulamba, running in the Arkle. He believes Lulamba has all the qualities needed to succeed, and this is where the controversy begins. Johnson praises trainer Nicky Henderson's ability to prepare these talented horses, ensuring they gain experience without losing their freshness. But is this a foolproof strategy? Can a horse really peak at the right time with this approach?

The article continues to delve into the expertise of Nicky Henderson, leaving readers wondering if Lulamba will live up to Johnson's expectations. Will Henderson's training methods prove to be the key to success? Or is there more to this story?

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Richard Johnson's Cheltenham Festival Picks: Native River, Looks Like Trouble, and Lulamba (2026)

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