Wednesday at Cheltenham saw trainer Nicky Henderson brake the training record at the festival with his 41st winner and then a further 3 winners.
Three of the four were ridden by Barry Geraghty, including the win on Finian's Rainbow in the thrilling Queen Mother Champion Chase where he got the better of the odds-on favourite Sizing Europe after a great duel, with Big Zeb home in third.
The record came for Henderson in Baring-Bingham Novices' Hurdle when Simonsig (another of those gorgeous greys) came from just off the pace to take command and win by 7 lengths from a very game Felix Yonger (our 16/1 roughie) with Monksland a further 11 lengths back in third.
They followed up with Bob's Worth in the RSA Chase who won a thrilling contest with First Lieutenant and favourite Grand Crus, who had been making it a three way contest up to the last 200m, just not able to overtake either of them and was himself overtaken for third by Call The Police.
The Coral Cup was an upset when Son of Flicka was too strong for Get Me Out Of Here and the 25/1 chance Veiled, with Silverhand 25/1 4th and Cockney Trucker 66/1 fifth (there we 28 starters). Balgarry led for much of the race but dropped out of contention before the straight.
We are delighted that our generosity which lead to giving Une Artiste another chance more than paid off when at 40/1 he gave Nicky Henderson his 4th winner of the day in the Fred Winter, Edeymi was second, Vendor third and Kazlian fourth.
The Champion Bumper went to Champagne Fever from New Year's Eve, Pique Sous and Moscow Mannon. Sir Johnson and Circular Quay did nothing but by then we were celebrating Une Artiste so live to fight another day.
