Henderson enjoys 103-1 Ascot treble

Racing: Nicky Henderson again took over a big Saturday afternoon with a 103-1 Ascot treble from all the feature races and thrust…

Racing:Nicky Henderson again took over a big Saturday afternoon with a 103-1 Ascot treble from all the feature races and thrust himself back into contention to win a first British champion trainers' title for 21 years.

In 1987 See You Then helped Henderson achieve the landmark with the third of his three Champion Hurdles and the scintillating victory of Binocular in the Boylesports.com International makes that a distinct possibility too.

Chomba Womba chipped in with valuable prize-money from her third spot in the same race while Sentry Duty in The Ladbroke and a one-two from Punchestowns and Duc de Regniere in the BCG Long Walk Hurdle nudged the Seven Barrows stable over the £1million (€1.08m) mark for the campaign.

Henderson is within touching distance of the usually dominant Paul Nicholls at the top of the tree and Coral chalked him up at 9-4 against the reigning champion at 1-3.

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"I don't think Mr Nicholls will be too fussed!," said Henderson.

"Obviously I knew coming here today I had a great team and that it was going to be a big day for us.

"More than everything, it has been about the team at home, from my head lad Corky Brown, Johnny Worrall and the other lads and lasses, and all the riders — Tony (McCoy) and Barry (Geraghty) have been a great help, but so have the likes of Marcus Foley and Andrew Tinkler.

"It's been a great effort from everyone at the yard but we have had a few sleepless nights.

"We don't have to make any decisions tonight — that's certainly not what we will be doing!

"I expect tomorrow morning we will start thinking about drawing up battle plans."

While Nicholls will almost certainly claim some of the season's remaining prizes, the 58-year-old Henderson could chase him all the way.

"Henderson's big-race winners dominate the betting for the Cheltenham Festival hurdle contests, with Binocular and Punchestowns both 6-4 for the Champion and World Hurdles respectively," said Coral's David Stevens.

"A month ago it would have been highly unlikely that we would have priced up this contest, but with Denman yet to return, and Kauto Star having a point to prove in the King George, Paul Nicholls could face the toughest defence of his title yet."

Binocular eased to an effortless victory in the rearranged Boylesports.com International Hurdle.

Tony McCoy oozed confidence on Henderson's four-year old and the result was never in any doubt.

Despite there being only five runners, the race looked set to be the most informative of the season so far.

Ruby Walsh set a searching pace on Triumph Hurdle winner Celestial Halo, while the others including Katchit, Crack Away Jack and Chomba Womba, were content to sit at least 10 lengths off the pace.

They all closed up half a mile out before Walsh kicked on again and soon had all bar Binocular pushing along.

However, McCoy still had plenty of horse underneath him and the champion jockey did not have to get serious to push the even-money favourite out for a four and a half length success.

McCoy said: "That was a real top-class performance because the second got an unbelievably good ride. Looking up down Swinley Bottom I was more worried about him than anything else.

"He didn't surprise me winning like he has. He is going the right way, at this stage of his career he is as exciting as they come. I definitely wouldn't be wanting to let anyone else ride him, that's for sure. I'm delighted for the owner (JP McManus), he deserves it."

ASCOT RESULTS
12.30

1 Gwanako (R Walsh) 2-1
2 My Petra (B J Geraghty) 5-6f
3 Miss Mitch (D Jacob) 12-1
7 ran

1.05
1 Niche Market (Harry Skelton) 33-1
2 Monkerhostin (R Johnson) 14-1
3 Alderburn (A Tinkler) 6-1
14 ran

1.40
1 Binocular (A P McCoy) Evens Fav
2 Celestial Halo (R Walsh) 16-1
3 Chomba Womba (B J Geraghty) 11-2
5 ran

2.10
1 Punchestowns (B J Geraghty) 3-1 Fav
2 Duc De Regniere (A P McCoy) 5-1
3 Mobaasher (R Walsh) 8-1
11 ran

2.45
1 Sentry Duty (B J Geraghty) 12-1
2 Belcantista (T J O'Brien) 10-1
3 Songe (T Siddall) 66-1
4 Numide (J E Moore) 12-1
21 ran

3.15
1 Barnhill Brownie (R Johnson) 6-1
2 Theatrical Moment (B J Geraghty) 14-1
3 Orion D'oudairies (R Thornton) 9-1
4 Edgbriar (D Elsworth) 12-1
16 ran

3.45
1 Red Harbour (R Walsh) 11-4
2 Bushwacker (J E Moore) 20-1
3 Springfield Raki (T J Murphy) 10-1
15 ran