Henderson’s delight at Top Notch show

NICKY HENDERSON pointed towards a return to the highest level for Top Notch after he opened his account for the season in the 32Red Casino Chase at Kempton.

After suffering a bad reaction to a flu jab, the popular eight-year-old only made his seasonal return last month when finishing third in the JLT Hurdle at Ascot.

Switched back to fences, the Simon Munir and Isaac Soude-owned gelding took a decisive step forward from his comeback as he found plenty to take the Listed prize by five lengths from the running-on Black Corton.

Henderson said of the 6-4 favourite: “He is very special. When you’ve got a horse like this you always know he will get you out of trouble.”