NICKY Henderson had plenty to celebrate at his local Newbury track last weekend, writes Dave Wright.
Following a double on Friday, the Upper Lambourn trainer completed a hat-trick on Saturday – all with different jockeys on board – and in one race he had the first three home.
Floressa, who been narrowly beaten at the course three weeks earlier, went one better in the Ladbrokes 'Where The Nation Plays' Mares' Novices' Hurdle on Saturday.
Sent off the 10/11 favourite, the four-year-old jumped smartly throughout the two-mile contest in the hands of Nico de Boinville to defeat Irish raider Jeremys Flame by a length-and-a-half, with another four-and-a-half lengths back to Silver Forever.
Henderson was back in the winner's enclosure with The Cashel Man (9/1) following the Get Your Ladbrokes £1 Free Bet Today Handicap Hurdle.
The seven-year-old romped home by 10 lengths under a positive ride from Jeremiah McGrath.
Henderson made it three wins on the day when Epatante led home a one-two-three for the yard in the Ladbrokes 'Where The Nation Plays' Intermediate Hurdle.
Ridden by Aidan Coleman, the 3/1 favourite had six lengths to spare from French Crusader (8/1) with Elusive Belle (11/2) four lengths away in third place.
Henderson commented: "That was all good. She was impressive, but the second horse is no mug and nor is the third."
There was a thrilling finish to the Ladbrokes Handicap Chase, with the Paul Nicholls-trained Magic Saint (3/1 favourite) holding off Bun Doran by a head with Chesterfield eight lengths away in third place.
Nicholls also sent out Danny Whizzbang (9/2) after 270 days off the track to win the Ladbrokes John Francome Novices' Chase, while Bennys King (10/1), from Dan Skelton's yard, took the Sir Peter O'Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase by six lengths.
The Ladbrokes Trophy Chase was won by the Emma Lavelle-trained De Rasher Counter (12/1) after another impressive ride by young Ben Jones, finishing one and a half-lengths clear of 20/1 shot The Conditional.
A part-owner of the winner is Andrew Gemmell, who also owns champion staying hurdler Paisley Park, the winner of the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury on Friday.
Third place, carrying a prize of £5,685, went to The Worlds End in the colours of Sonning-based Max McNeill and his family.
Gemmell, who has been blind since birth, was named Owner of the Year at the annual Horserace Writers & Photographers Derby Awards on Monday.
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