CHELTENHAM Festival top trainer Nicky Henderson continued his good form on Saturday with another three winners.
Yet again Barry Geraghty was brought home the wins, this time at Kempton.
The Lambourn trainer’s first success of the day was Problema Tic (2-1 second favourite) in the 2.15pm quickly followed by 12-1 shot Bear’s Affair in the 3.25pm.
And the treble was completed when 8-11 favourite Minella Forfitness romped home to complete a sensational week for the Seven Barrows man.
Meanwhile, Barbury Castle trainer Alan King has revealed that Grumeti could sign off for the season at either Aintree or Punchestown after finishing third in Friday’s Triumph Hurdle.
His juvenile jumped the final flight in front but could not hold off the late runs of Countrywide Flame and Hisaabaat.
He returned with a cut to his leg, but King has given him a clean bill of health and is likely to give the four-year-old one more run this season.
“Grumeti jumped the last in front in the Triumph Hurdle, but was just outstayed by two others up the hill,” the Barbury Castle handler said.
“He came back with some superficial cuts, but he was fine and he has run a marvellous race.
“We will see how he is, but we have Aintree and Punchestown as options.”
The Barbury Castle handler drew a blank at the big meeting but had a handful of horses hit the frame, including Lovcen and Kumbeshwar.
“I was also thrilled with Lovcen in the Albert Bartlett Hurdle.
“He would have preferred slower ground, but this was a bonus as he is a horse for next year, when we hope that he will make a smashing staying novice chaser,” he added.
“We hoped that Kumbeshwar might do an Oh Crick and get us out of jail in the concluding Grand Annual Chase, but, though he has run another absolute stormer, it was not to be.”
Smad Place was another to be placed, running a career-best in third behind Big Buck's in the World Hurdle.
He could renew rivalry with the Paul Nicholls-trained legend at Aintree.
King added: “He travelled brilliantly, and he has had a light season, so Aintree could be on the cards.”
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