Horse racing: Henderson strengthens Gold Cup hand

Nicky Henderson left Newbury on Saturday a very contented trainer after seeing his two contenders for Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup honours strengthen their claims for chasing’s Blue Riband.

Bacchanal was the choice of stable jockey Mick Fitzgerald in the Aon Chase and he was proved right, but Marlborough, who would not have been at home in the testing ground, ran with immense promise on his seasonal reappearance.