Dame de Compagnie takes finale on International Hurdle Day

Dame de Compagnie (2-1F) and Barry Geraghty stayed on strongly in the gloom at Cheltenham to take the finale on International Hurdle Day, the Park Mares' Handicap Hurdle (Class 2), for trainer Nicky Henderson and owner Mr J. P. McManus.

As the light began to fade dramatically at Prestbury Park, the runners set off as Sixty's Belle was slow away. Mega Yeats, Queen's Cave and Liberty Belle made it three-abreast at the third, where Lust for Glory was pulling keenly. Along the side of the course, Carroll's Milan made a mistake, as Vision du Puy came under pressure. Down the hill, the sprint for home really began, with the fancied Indefatigable making stylish progress. Geraghty was conscious to the move, and off the home turn, brought Dame de Compagnie between Queen's Cave and Indefatigable. At the last it was a straight fight between the two, with Geraghty's mare being the stronger at the finish, to give Henderson a treble on the day. Speaking to Alice Plunkett, Barry had feared he had been "a sitting duck" after the last, but this was not to be believed.

There was relief after the race as Deputy Jones, who fell heavily at the second last, managed to get up. A fantastic sight to see, as always in racing.

Photo: ©Tom Williams / JTW Equine Images ).