A SENSATIONAL one-two finish in the final race of the Cheltenham Festival capped off a wonderful week for Lambourn trainer Nicky Henderson.

Having already wrapped up the coveted trainer’s title going into the meeting’s final race, Henderson made it seven winners for the week, winning the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Steeple Chase Challenge Cup with 20-1 shot Bellvano.

In a thrilling race, jockey Paul Carberry led Bellvano home by two and a quarter lengths from stablemate Tanks For That.

The victory was the perfect finale for Henderson with the race named after his late father.

“It’s a wonderful way to finish because obviously the race means a lot to us,” an emotional Henderson told the Swindon Advertiser.

“It was the icing on the cake for what has been an amazing week. Tuesday seems a year ago.”

Henderson’s only blotch on an otherwise perfect Festival was Long Run’s defeat in the Gold Cup, finishing third behind Synchronised ridden by AP McCoy and 50-1 shot The Giant Bolster However, the Seven Barrows trainer remained delighted with all his horses.

“To be honest, you can hardly pick the best winner,” added Henderson.

“They are all amazing so it is hard. Finian’s Rainbow was stunning on Wednesday while Riverside Theatre was wonderful on Thursday – Barry Geraghty gave him such a wonderful ride.”

Henderson ripped up the record books during the Festival. His four wins on day two is the most achieved in a single day at Cheltenham and also saw him become the all-time greatest trainer at the showpiece event, breaking Fulke Walwyn’s previous record of 40.

Henderson’s new landmark now stands at 45 Festival wins and the 61-year-old trainer praised all his horses after an extraordinary week.

“It’s wonderful to have winners every day,” added Henderson. “It’s been four fantastic days. I’d have settled for two wins but seven is just a bit daft.

On Long Run’s Gold Cup defeat, Henderson said: “I’m thrilled with my boys and I have to give credit to the winners.

"JP (Synchronised’s owner JP McManus) is one of the stalwarts of National Hunt racing and Jonjo and AP are superstars.

"Long Run was not quite good enough on the day - he was always struggling to get to the pacemakers, but Sam (Waley-Cohen) rode a great race.”

While Henderson won the trainers’ title, his primary ride Barry Geraghty took the jockeys’ title with seven successes.

Swindon jockey Wayne Hutchinson’s only ride of the day ended in misery when he and Balder Succes fell in the opening race of the day.

Barbury Castle trainer Alan King’s other charge in the race, Grumeti, also failed to live up to his favourite tag, coming home third behind Countrywide Flame and Hisaabaat.