Kempton treble for Henderson
Nicky Henderson capped his momentous season by passing his best ever tally of 93 with a short-priced treble at Kempton on Monday.
For a man who has spent nearly all of his 30 years with a licence in the upper echelons of the training ranks and was twice champion in the mid-80s, it seems inconceivable he is yet to reach 100 winners.
But his priceless collection of horses in Seven Barrows, Lambourn - including the Champion Hurdle first and third Punjabi and Binocular - had already seen him exceed his highest prize money total and place him comfortably second in the table behind Paul Nicholls.
It was now time for You're The Top, Dreamy Sweeney and Finian's Rainbow to contribute and they were all steered home with ease by Barry Geraghty.
The first two have almost identical profiles and futures as well as both running in the same race at Cheltenham before Christmas behind the smart Karabak, when You're The Top was third and Dreamy Sweeney was brought down when still going well.
Dreamy Sweeney was arguably the more impressive, not needing any instructing to land the Book Kempton Tickets On 0844 848 0181 Maiden Hurdle by 12 lengths as 10-11 favourite.
You're The Top was 2-5 in an even weaker affair in the Kempton.co.uk "National Hunt" Maiden Hurdle but did nothing wrong either.
Finian's Rainbow (11-10 favourite) rounded things off tidily in the Racing UK-sponsored bumper.
"We have just beaten our best and we would really love 100," said Henderson.
"These two are both chasers and ideally I'd like to find both of them another little race before we give them a break.
"Dreamy Sweeney just needs to learn to relax a little. He's been pulling too hard - that's why he fell at Ascot last time.
"You're The Top has always been nice, but things haven't always gone his way.
"He's quite a lively person but a long way from the finished article.
"I bought Finian's Rainbow off Adrian Maguire who told me he was good and he's just a lovely, big chaser"
Henderson's hat-trick seeking Pepsyrock (8-11 favourite) just came up short against Andy Turnell's Kew Jumper (4-1) in the Panoramic Bar & Restaurant Handicap Chase.
Alan King and Robert Thornton are also retaining their momentum and returned from the London suburbs with a brace apiece.
Both posted personal best totals last season and while King needs only eight more to pass 128, Thornton is now within one of his 105 score.
The first came with Tarotino in the four-runner 'TurfTV Showing The Best Racecourses' Novices' Chase.
Soixante, Supreme Duke and Tarotino were closely matched on form and in the betting and each was still in with a shout straightening up for the post.
But Thornton and the 7-4 joint-favourite had most up their sleeves and gained the day by four and a half lengths.
Noel Williams, King's assistant trainer, said: "That was a competitive little race and they all seemed progressive but it was going to be all about the jumping, you could see that turning in.
"The ground seems ideal for him and I should think he could go up for a race at the Ayr meeting."
There were five in line at the last for the Mix Business With Pleasure Handicap Hurdle but when Or Sing About fell, 7-4 favourite Patsy Finnegan was allowed to pull away.
Williams continued: "When he won at Ludlow last time, I said the same thing, he's really just a horse we are looking forward to going chasing with.
"Choc (Thornton) said he thought he was going to win at the last anyway."
David Pipe and Tom Scudamore combined as Power King (7-4 favourite) reigned supreme in the Kempton For Outdoor Events Handicap Chase on his second run after a layoff.
