Dreamland for Henderson as dazzling Dame struts to Coral Cup triumph

Nicky Henderson admitted he had entered the realms of disbelief after Dame De Compagnie picked up best to win the Coral Cup.

There was a real sense of deja vu watching him pose alongside JP McManus and Barry Geraghty on the podium, as one of the festival's most successful trios had only just combined with Champ in the RSA, a day after winning the Champion Hurdle with Epatante.

Several runners were in contention as the cavalry charge powered down the straight but the well-backed Dame De Compagnie stayed on best to beat Black Tears by two and a quarter lengths and become the first favourite to win the race since Xenophon in 2003.

Henderson, who won the Grade 3 last year with William Henry, said: "There wasn't a headlong dash with lots of horses flat to the boards but coming down the hill anybody could have won. I couldn't see much but saw Barry's white cap bobbing behind the leaders."

"It's always a competitive race but she was very good. You've got to get a little bit of luck and be at the right place at the right time to get the breaks. She had the gears and made the most of them."

Dame De Compagnie became only the third winner in the last seven years to win by more than a neck in this famously tricky handicap.

The seven-year-old raced off a mark of 140 after Henderson successfully appealed a 2lb rise from the handicapper, and the trainer said it was probably quite important in a competitive field.

As he watched Geraghty enter the winner's enclosure to yet another standing ovation, Henderson was full of praise for the jockey, who has been an integral part of his festival success, including when winning the 2013 Champion Chase aboard Sprinter Sacre.

"I'm genuinely delighted for him," the trainer said. "It's great to see, especially when you consider the injuries he's had and the good rides he's missed. I'm thrilled because he's great for the game."

While one of the most experienced jockeys in the weighing room claimed the spoils, there was a sibling rivalry playing out in behind, as newcomers Kevin and Gavin Brouder fought out their own finish.

The brothers were going head-to-head in their first ever rides at Cheltenham and it was Kevin who came out on top, guiding Thosedaysaregone into third with Cracking Smart, ridden by Gavin, in fourth.

Watch Dame De Compagnie strike in the Coral Cup

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