LE PREZIEN LANDS THE FINALE
 
Paul Nicholls registered a 220/1 double on day four of The Festival with Le Prezien's success in the final race of the meeting, the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase. 
 
Ridden by Barry Geraghty, for his retained owner J P McManus, the 15/2 shot stayed on well after the final fence in the two-mile handicap chase to master Kerry Lee's front-runner Gino Trail (25/1), who finished four and a half lengths behind in second, with his stable companion Top Gamble (8/1) a neck behind in third.
 
Nicholls, who landed the St James's Place Foxhunter Chase with 25/1 shot Pacha Du Polder earlier in the card, was also registering his 43rd winner at The Festival.
 
He said: "Le Prezien did well. We took our time deciding what race to run him in at The Festival but on this ground, we thought running him over two miles despite him wanting further would work out well.
 
"Barry didn't get there too soon and this horse is learning all the time. He's been unlucky this season and was placed in some good handicaps.
 
"He had a long time off after his last run and we were always aiming him for today - it was brilliant.
 
"The ground was a bit soft for most of ours but we've had some horses run well and we've had two winners, so we're delighted.
 
"We haven't got that strong a team at the moment compared to some others, so to have two winners is brilliant and it's onwards and upwards for us."
 
Barry Geraghty, rider of the winner, commented: "It was a good performance. Paul said he had him in good shape. His jumping was a little bit hit and miss before, but it seemed to be good today.
 
"It was testing conditions, but he ran a good race."
 
5.30pm Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
 
1 LE PREZIEN (J P McManus) Paul Nicholls 7-11-08 Barry Geraghty 15/2
2 GINO TRAIL (Jan Smith) Kerry Lee 11-11-10 Jamie Moore 25/1
3 TOP GAMBLE (Walters Plant Hire, James & Jean Potter) Kerry Lee 10-11-07 Davy Russell 8/1
4 THEINVAL (Sandy & Caroline Orr) Nicky Henderson 8-10-13 Jeremiah McGrath 16/1
 
Distances: 4½, nk, ½
Tote Win: £9.70 Places: £2.60, £5.30, £2.70, £4.00 Exacta: £243.80
 
Paul Nicholls - 43rd winner at The Festival
Barry Geraghty - 36th winner at The Festival
 
BetBright Cup - final standings after 28 races
Ireland 17 Great Britain 11