Henderson at the double
Followers of Nicky Henderson were left delighted after the master of Seven Barrows struck with his only two runners – Treasury Counsel and Theft – at Kempton.
The former was first off the mark when obliging at 11-2 on his debut outside of novice company in the intercasino.co.uk Handicap Hurdle.
Mick Fitzgerald’s mount only got on top close home but kept on well to hold the late rattle of Corker by three and a half lengths.
Henderson said: “It’s been a good day and you can’t complain when you run two and have two winners.
“This horse might run again this season as he has only had three runs over hurdles so far. He won well the first time, but didn’t handle terrible ground last time and it pulled him to bits.”
Henderson completed his brace as the Marcus Foley-ridden Theft stole the intercasino.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.
The 9-2 shot eased into the lead with over two furlongs left to run and was kept up to her work for a five-length call over Easement.
Henderson added: “We probably won’t bother her again this season and we will school her and put her away for next year.”
Victor Dartnall’s 181-mile trip from Devon paid a handsome dividend as the trainer was on hand to see the Tony McCoy-ridden Benetwood notch up his highest ever tally of seasonal winners.
Having registered 17 successes last season, Dartnall saddled his 18th winner for the 2006-7 campaign as the six-year-old eased passed the odds-on favourite Enlightenment swinging for home and was shaken up to hold Petrovka by four lengths in the intercasino.co.uk ’National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle.
Dartnall said of the 7-4 winner: “This is the first time he has had his ground and this is his trip.
“He wasn’t quite right last time at Fontwell and has coughed ever since, but we have him right now.
“He is the only horse I have for JP McManus and I will have to talk to his racing manager Frank Berry about plans, but he has the size and scope to be a chaser.”
Roznic (5-1) had slipped to an attractive-looking mark following a winless season and he capitalised on his light weight on the intercasino.co.uk Handicap Chase.
Barry Fenton’s mount raced into the lead over the final fence to give Peter Winkworth a first win in 27 days with his four-length victory.
The trainer’s assistant Anton Pearson said: “He ran well last time at Folkestone and I thought the drop back to two miles would help.”
Poppy Maroon followed up her Chepstow win of seven days ago with another front-running performance to take the three-mile intercasino.co.uk Novices’ Handicap Chase.
Neil Mulholland’s mount popped away happily at the head of affairs and was not hard pressed down the straight to come home seven lengths ahead of Treasulier.
The mare has now won two of her three starts over fences, delighting trainer Paul Keane.
He said: “She is due to go up 15lb for her win so we ran her under a 7lb penalty. She has had leg problems so to win two chases is fantastic, and if the leg troubles reoccur she will go off to stud.”
Stoop To Conquer (9-1) shed his maiden tag over timber when racing to ready success under Paddy Merrigan in the intercasino.co.uk Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.
Provocative (100-30) held the challenge of 11-4 favourite Spring Margot to collect in the intercasino.co.uk Corinthian Hunters’ Chase.
