Victory
Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.
The six-year-old was sent off the 1-6 favourite to account for four rivals in the Unibet Fighting Fifth Hurdle – and jockey Barry Geraghty sat motionless as the JP McManus-owned winner sauntered to a three-and-a-half-length margin over Irving.
Buveur D’Air was cut to 3-1 second favourite to retain his crown at Cheltenham in the spring – 2015 winner Faugheen heads the market at 6-4 – and Henderson said: “Today was perfect.
“It seemed a fairly simple task for him on paper but it’s always nice when they go and do exactly what they’re expected to do.
“You’re always very relieved when it’s over.”