Henderson enjoys dream day at Ascot

Trainer Nicky Henderson won all three major races at Ascot today, as Binocular, Punchestowns and Sentry Duty combined to make it a day to remember for Henderson and Barry Geraghty.

Binocular is sure to be a warm order for the Champion Hurdle in March after 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.

Celestial Halo set a strong gallop that had everything else in trouble a long way out but McCoy never panicked, let out an inch of rein at the second-last and won on the bridle.

Despite there being only five runners, the race formerly known as the Bula 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.’

Henderson said: ‘It was a tense day in every single way and I'm just glad that's over.

‘He was there to be tested today and Ruby set some gallop on that horse and he got a very uncontested lead.

‘I don't know whether AP was confident or just incredibly cool to let him have the lead and let the other horses bring him to him rather than go after him on his own.

‘The one thing that impresses you is the speed with which he gets from one side of a hurdle to the other, it's extraordinary - he's like a ballet dancer.

‘I don't know what the world makes of it but I'm happy it's over.

‘Once again I'd just like to thank everybody for putting the race on.

‘A while ago we thought we might not run him again but walking round the paddock today I thought he looked as big as a bull.

‘We won't make a decision now (on another run before Cheltenham), he doesn't need practice and we'll definitely back off now.

‘I'm not saying he'd improve but we've got March in sight. This wasn't a trial, we weren't playing around today, this was a real race.’

Henderson appears to have an embarrassment of riches in the hurdling department as following on from the victory of Binocular in the International, Punchestowns ran out an easy winner of the BGC Long Walk Hurdle.

And just for good measure Henderson also saddled the runner-up, Duc De Regniere. Mobaasher ran on for third.

Punchestowns (3-1 favourite) was always travelling sweetly for Geraghty and with Inglis Drever currently on the sidelines the Ladbrokes World Hurdle will surely be next on the agenda.

Blazing Bailey took over from Lough Derg three from home and tried to take the sting out of his rivals but the two Henderson runners were always going well.

However, it was Punchestowns who proved the best, coming home 11 lengths clear of his stablemate.

Geraghty said: ‘He was very, very impressive. There's nothing more I can say really.

‘It was only his fifth race over hurdles.’

Henderson said: ‘It's a special win. I hate running two like that but I had no option really after Cheltenham was lost.

‘I was very impressed, I think that was a good performance. It was not our intention to run him over three miles this early but our hand was forced really.

‘Mick (Fitzgerald) thought the world of him last year and must take a lot of credit because he nurtured him along the way.

‘We thought about chasing with him but knocked that on the head after his last race and now we know exactly where to go, it's pretty obvious (World Hurdle).’

A great day for Henderson then took on dream proportions as Sentry Duty (12-1) ran out a ready winner of The Ladbroke.

A winner over course and distance on his seasonal debut, he arrived late on the scene under Geraghty and held off the challenge of ante-post gamble Belcantista.

Gary Moore's Numide held every chance at the last but a bad mistake put paid to his chance and he lost third place to rank outsider Songe.

Favourite Ashkazar appeared to blow up at the second-last while Aigle D'Or was never in contention.

Geraghty said: ‘I went wide looking for the better ground as he doesn't like it soft.

‘Nicky told me last night if I was within two lengths turning in I'd be fine and when I gave him a kick in the belly off he went.

‘He's not overly big and he had a lot of weight so it was a good performance.’

Henderson added: ‘I wasn't sure between the two (Aigle D'Or) but in that ground I fancied the other one more.

‘He's not very big and while I'm not saying he wouldn't take the hurly-burly whatever hits him is going to be bigger than him.

‘I'm sure he's better on better ground but we know now that he wants a really good break between his races.

‘After his last race we knew The Ladbroke was the one we were after so we've got it right.

‘I knew 10 days ago this could be a big day for us, the only thing I didn't know was that I'd have to run Punchestowns and Duc De Regniere against each other but they finished first and second.

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