Henderson in seventh heaven

Bellvano provides trainer with win number seven at Cheltenham

Last updated: 16th March 2012   Subscribe to RSS Feed

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Bellvano and connections after winning the finale

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Paul Carberry was at his brilliant best as Bellvano came fast and late to land the concluding Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham.

And in a race named in honour of his father, trainer Nicky Henderson trained both the winner and second Tanks For That to round off a truly sensational week in which he has saddled seven Cheltenham winners.

In a fitting conclusion, the winner also carried the JP McManus colours carried to victory earlier in the day by Synchronised and Alderwood.

Tanks For That (9/1) took the measure of the always-prominent Kumbeshwar at the second last but Carberry had still not moved a muscle on the eventual winner.

The 20/1 shot still have several lengths to find on the run-in but when Carberry asked his mount to respond the eight-year-old delivered, picking up well to beat his stable companion by two and a quarter lengths.

Kumbeshwar (16/1) plugged on for third with another of Henderson's runners Anquetta (33/1) landing each-way support in fourth.

A tearful Henderson said: "We've fielded quite a few of them, and three have finished in the first four.

"We've ran him here plenty of times - he's a very good horse - but this horse has never got up the hill before until now.

"It's been an amazing week and this is an emotional day."