Nicky Henderson hits the 2,000-winner mark in style

Nicky Henderson joined a select band of trainers to have saddled 2,000 career winners as Punchestowns claimed a landmark success at Kempton yesterday.

Ridden by Barry Geraghty, the 4-6 favourite beat the Paul Nicholls-trained Pasco by 11 lengths in the Graduation Chase.

One-time assistant to the legendary Fred Winter, Henderson took out a trainer's licence in 1978, sending out his first winner at Uttoxeter later that year.

Big-race glory in virtually every main event in the jumping calendar has since come his way, including five Champion Hurdle triumphs, most recently with Binocular in 2010.

Turning to today's action, Get Me Out Of Here can create a little bit of history by winning back-to-back renewals of the totesport Trophy at Newbury.

It is fair to say this season has not gone to plan for the Jonjo O'Neill-trained seven-year-old since his victory 12 months ago. He was supposed to go novice chasing but after a few mishaps on the schooling grounds at Jackdaws Castle, those plans were shelved. His seasonal debut at Ascot created talking points for all the wrong reasons when he only finished seventh as a 5-2 favourite behind Tocca Ferro. Then it was another match with his Supreme Novices' Hurdle conqueror, Menorah, in the Greatwood at Cheltenham, but he failed to land a blow and was beaten 23 lengths. Freshened up since, hopefully he will not be as keen as he was for those two assignments and Tony McCoy has recently stated he hopes the return to a flatter track could help.

Make no mistake, if the horse who sprinted past Ronaldo Des Mottes in last year's renewal turns up, he will take the world of beating, despite being a stone higher in the weights.

The bookmakers make Riverside Theatre an odds-on shot to win the Aon Chase but there is a possibility this may come a little too soon after his fine effort in the King George, and What A Friend is the choice, despite giving weight away all round.

At Ayr, Willie Amos can strike with What A Dream, a half-brother to stablemate Lie Forrit, in the Victor Chandler Handicap Hurdle.