Punjabi grabs Champion prize

A brilliant tactical ride by Barry Geraghty saw Nicky Henderson’s Punjabi decisively land the ACC Bank Champion Hurdle at Punchestown yesterday.

Henderson’s thoughts immediately turned to his stable jockey, Mick Fitzgerald, who is recovering from serious neck injuries incurred when L’Ami fell in the Grand National at Aintree.

“It’s our first big one without Mick”, exclaimed Henderson with tears in his eyes. “We had a board meeting this morning and I spoke to Mick and Mick spoke to Barry.”