Nicky Henderson hits 100th season winner with Nelson’s Bridge

The victory brought up Henderson’s 100 for the season and also saw him breakthrough the £1 million prize-money barrier.

Al Ferof won the corresponding race 12 months ago and went on to win the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and while the winner has some way to go before he reaches that level, there is no doubt he has plenty of ability.

Having tracked the favourite Dualla Lord into the straight, he showed more speed than the point-to-point winner between his hurdles but he was not helping Andrew Tinkler. His inexperience was evident and Tinkler had his work cut out keeping him straight but he managed to prevail by a neck with Henderson’s Sunglasses third.

Ranjaan became the second Triumph Hurdle candidate to emerge in as many days as he beat his elders in the Read Donald McCain’s Column On Betfair Handicap Hurdle. Just 24 hours on from Grumeti’s promotion to the head of the betting for the juvenile championship despite falling at Newbury, the Paul Nicholls-trained Ranjaan was given a 14-1 quote for the Cheltenham event by Stan James.

Fellow 7-2 joint-favourite and top weight Third Intention was his main rival over the final two flights, but the Highclere Thoroughbred-owned runner had far too much speed for that rival, albeit in receipt of plenty of weight.

The owner’s racing manager, Harry Herbert, said: “He was very impressive and it’s all systems go for the Triumph now.”

Meanwhile, Robert Winston has failed in his bid to overturn a 22-day whip ban he received at Southwell last Thursday. Winston was banned for misusing his whip aboard Zenarinda, who finished a neck second in the Follow Us On Twitter @bluesq Handicap. The jockey was found to have used his whip excessively, and down the shoulder in the forehand position. His punishment was so severe as it was his second such offence within the previous 12 months.