Henderson hots up the title duel with double

There was no time for a festival hangover for trainers' title leaders Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls at this consolation meeting - not if the results were anything to go by - with Henderson firing in a double and reigning champion Nicholls replying with a winner of his own in Brio Conti.

Henderson, who broke the domination of ten-time champion Nicholls in the 2012-13 season, was flying out to St Moritz for his traditional post-Cheltenham break as Days Of Heaven winged round the tight course under Nico de Boinville to land the 2m novice chase. The victory increased the trainer's new lead in the title race having hit the front at the festival.

His assistant Toby Lawes said: "When the boss found out reading the Racing Post on Friday that he was in front he was very keen to give it a go. Potentially we have some more to bring out for Aintree to take it to Sandown on the last day."