We've updated our Privacy and Cookies Policy
We've made some important changes to our Privacy and Cookies Policy and we want you to know what this means for you and your data.
Cheltenham treble for Barry Geraghty and Nicky Henderson
Jockey Barry Geraghty and trainer Nicky Henderson combined for a big-race treble on the second day of the International meeting at Cheltenham.
Geraghty first guided the impressive Quantitativeeasing (6-1) to victory in the December Gold Cup
He then rode the 5-2 joint-favourite Grandouet to success in the International Hurdle.
The pair completed a 34-1 three-timer when the 4-9 favourite Oscar Whisky won the Relkeel Hurdle.
It was a perfect 61st birthday present for Henderson, who is the most successful current trainer at the Cheltenham Festival with 37 wins.
Grandouet, who was third in the Triumph Hurdle at this year's Cheltenham Festival, won last time out at the Betfair Hurdle at Haydock and looked impressive once again. He is now a 6-1 second favourite behind Hurricane Fly for the 2012 Champion Hurdle.
The pace was set by the recent Fighting Fifth Hurdle winner Overturn from the Donald McCain yard but he was hounded by Irish raider Pittoni until the race hotted up before the final flight.
Grandouet moved menacingly to land fractionally in front and bounded up the hill in impressive style, scoring by four lengths from Overturn with Brampour a neck away in third.
Geraghty said: "I knew he'd travel and take me there. I didn't want to get there as soon as I did, but he battled well.
"He improved all through last year and he's better than your average four-year-old going five-year-old I'd say. He's improved an awful lot since last year.
"He travelled brilliantly, you don't see horses travelling much easier than that going to the last. He's very good. I never had any doubts [about going up the hill]."
Earlier, Quantitativeeasing went one better than his second place behind Great Endeavour in last month's Paddy Power Gold Cup at the same track.
The six-year-old was behind Roudoudou Ville and Medermit at the final fence but he stormed up the hill strongly to get his head in front by three-quarters of a length with Medermit (11-1) second and Roudoudou Ville (10-1) third.
It was a good end to the day for Geraghty who had a crashing fall earlier on Tanks for That.
Great Endeavour tried to make all the running but lost his chance when making a bad mistake at the ninth fence from home, where Divers fell.
Champion jockey Tony McCoy had a disappointing ride on the Jonjo O'Neill-trained Sunnyhillboy, whom he chose to ride in preference to the winner.
Henderson said: "It was great race and a great ride. The horse has been very consistent and you'd have to say he deserves one. He was second at the Festival and in the Paddy Power, so he's got one back at last.
"They went a really good gallop, it looked as if he was further back than intended but only because they were going so quick. There was always a chance they'd come together at the top of the hill."