Henderson strikes again with Andytown

Nicky Henderson notched up his third winner of the week when Andytown spoiled the Pond House dream in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle.

David Pipe saddled eight runners in the race named in honour of his father but the best he could manage was third with Big Eared Fran.

Andytown (25-1) travelled supremely well throughout for Felix de Giles, but for a brief moment it looked as if Neil Mulholland's small yard were going to cause a 100-1 shock as Midnight Chase hit the front.

Having won at the track in November, Andytown was put up a massive 18lb for that success but the handicapper has obviously still not got to grips with him.

Big Eared Fran made stealthy headway before flattening out in third but Andytown bolted up by nine lengths.

Henderson said: "He's been chasing since winning here but to be perfectly honest with you, he hated jumping fences."