Jango Baie made a fine start to his pursuit career with a slow victory in the SSS Super Alloys Novices' Chase at Cheltenham.
Nicky Henderson's five-year-old bay was a modern Grade One winner over hurdles, with a second point-to-point further back on his record.
He returned to jumping over larger hurdles under rules in the hands of Nico de Boinville at 7-4, with much attention on the Paul Nicholls-trained Caldwell Potter, who was sent off the 11- 10 favorites.
The latter was at the head of the case, but Jango Baie had a good reputation throughout and when the field turned home it was rival Henderson who was able to bounce on to an impressive victory, as he took Springwell Bay second and Caldwell Potter's €740,000 purchase finished third.
Henderson said: “I always think it's a big test for a beginner to come here for the first time over fences and I don't like doing it.
“I was going to go to Aintree last Saturday for a three-horse race, but that was off and I had to come here. It's not my rule to come here the first time, but this one is very wise
“Nico asked him the right questions for a baby and he got the right answers too. Because he is not the biggest horse in the world, he has a lot of opportunity.
“Of course he didn't stop at the end there more than two and a half miles), he went out immediately.
“The owner also has Jingko Blue, who put on a smart show at Uttoxeter a couple of days ago. and who is three now there are not two and a half (at the Festival).
Of Caldwell Potter, whose ownership group, including Sir Alex Ferguson, went to a record price for a jumping horse in training to take the gray in February, Nicholls said: “Harry (Cobden) had very happy with it, he said it jumped well. and he has learned a lot today.
“We didn't learn much at Carlisle, his jumping was good and Harry said he definitely wanted slower ground than that.
“He could have gone a little faster if he wanted, but he didn't want to ask too many questions about his jump. We learned a lot today and maybe you wouldn't be afraid to go back two miles if he was very experimental and let him move on.
“Today he jumped well, they jumped straight up and he was just done for a bit of a toe, but he's only had a few runs over hurdles and he's learning all the time. I think there is a lot to come.
“We weren't going to run it, but we just thought it would be good to experience it here. Rome wasn't built in a day and Harry said don't be disappointed, it will be alright.
King Turseon is going up Cheltenham Hill for Pipe and Tudor
King Turgeon won his second major of the season when he rallied expertly in the Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Coming Soon Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.
The David Pipe-trained gray already had a Grand National win to his name this season in the Grand Sefton.
King Tursain
Just like at Aintree, Jack Tudor did most of the running but with three lengths to go he was headed, this time by Our Power and the favourite, Chianti Classico.
It was Festival winner Kim Bailey who led Ciaran Gethings into his new lane, but Our Power troubled him and a few lengths down Tudor had pulled out King Turgeon (9-4) for another crack.
He started to stay on powerfully up the hill and ended up running out a convincing three-length winner, with Our Power ahead of Chianti Classico for second.
The winner's connections may not be too concerned that their original target, the Becher Chase at Aintree last weekend, was abandoned due to Storm Darragh.
Paddy Power and Betfair cut the winner to 33-1 from 50s for the Grand National.
Country Mile favorite Skelton runner at Cheltenham
Country Mile looked good for Skeltons as he enjoyed getting back on good ground when denying great honors in the British EBF “National Hunt” Novices Hurdle.
The five-year-old finished second to Jonjo and traveled AJ O'Neill's Roadless at Haydock on Betfair Chase day in the mud, but looked a completely different sight on a faster surface.
Country Mile heading home
Well settled for the pace by Harry Skelton, the Sam Thomas-trained Palacio set a strong early gallop as all eyes were on Nicky Henderson's French recruit That's Nice and Wingmen Gordon Elliott, who dominated the market.
However, as that pair closed into the leader, Skelton was still sitting unmoved on Country Mile (5-1).
It was a bit of a disappointment for Nice, leaving Wingmen in front but Country Mile galloped around, with his jockey unmoved as he cruised to victory. seven and a half.
Delighted trainer Dan Skelton said: “It was a real surprise to see him win like that. They obviously went really hard and it has a lot of potential, doesn't it?
“He jumped a lot better today. He didn't jump that well at Haydock and I think the ground got to him that day too.
“We knew he had potential, but I thought if he was going to win a race of deep quality, he would do it hard. I didn't think he would go on like that, but they went so fast ahead.
“I don't know what we'll do with it now, we'll see what the hand does.”
Source link
