Tag Archive for: Kempton

Laurel headlines high-class Kempton treble for Gosdens

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Laurel underlined her Classic potential with an authoritative success in the Snowdrop Fillies’ Stakes, completing an Easter Monday Kempton treble for co-trainers John and Thady Gosden.

The daughter of Kingman had looked the part when making a winning debut at Newmarket in July.

She followed up in a mile novice at Kempton and was only beaten three-quarters of a length by Fonteyn when trying Group One company in the Sun Chariot on the Rowley Mile.

Having her first start since that October reverse, and partnered by Ryan Moore for the first time, she easily put her eight rivals to the sword in the Racing TV-sponsored Listed contest.

Though the early pace was pedestrian, Moore sat just on the withers of early pace-setter Abhayaa, before gradually winding the Juddmonte-owned filly up.

Having asked her for a response, she quickly lengthened with a furlong and a half to run and strode clear with ease under hands and heels for a three-and-a-half-length success from the staying-on Lightship, who was rated 29lb inferior on official ratings.

Laurel was cut to 5-1 (from 6-1) by Betfair for the Lockinge at Newbury and 7-1 (from 8s) for the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Thady Gosden said: “It was her first run of the year and she ran a little fresh early, but she did it nicely.

Laurel pictured on her debut at Newmarket
Laurel pictured on her debut at Newmarket (Adam Morgan/PA)

“It was all very uncomplicated and she picked up well in the straight and went through the gears nicely.

“Obviously from stall nine you have to either be positive or accepting from the back, so Ryan went forward on her and she picked up well.

“She is a talented filly, as she has shown, and she is improving. We just have to find the right spot for her now. There are fillies’ races we can go for over a mile or a mile and one, then there are the open races. We’ll have to see.”

Gosden senior was quick to pay tribute to not only the ability of Moore, but also his post-race insight.

He said: “Not only is he probably the greatest international jockey, but he is also the greatest adviser after a race. What he tells me after a race is worth a great deal. He guides you well and he made a lot of sense there.

“Ryan was very happy with her and he likes her a lot. The filly was very immature as a two-year-old and then she has come through.

“Her immaturity probably cost her the Sun Chariot and I think not knowing much about it as well as she hit the front and wandered about a bit. She is learning all the time.

The Duke of Cambridge (at Royal Ascot) is an obvious target,

“She is a lovely filly. She didn’t do a lot last season. She won a novice and then won here and was second in a Group One. She is very much an improving filly. Her mother has not had a lot of luck as a broodmare, but this filly has turned it around.

An outing in Group Two company appears to be next up for Laurel with Gosden senior earmarking either the Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket on May 7th or the Ridgewood Pearl Stakes at the Curragh as potential options ahead of an engagement at Royal Ascot.

Gosden added: “Ryan has given me two options so I’ll be scratching my head, but I’m clear with what I’m doing with the first one.

“The Duke of Cambridge (at Royal Ascot) is an obvious target, but talking to Ryan it is what we do between then and now.

“If it was fast ground at Newmarket (for the Dahlia Stakes) he was steering me elsewhere which is very good advice. They are on them, they feel and they know them.

“Thady has mentioned a race in Ireland (Ridgewood Pearl Stakes) so that is a possibility. He has been reading the book and I haven’t so he is ahead of me on that. He is always race planning well ahead of me.”

Slipofthepen emerges as potential Classic horse for the King

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The King may have a Classic contender on his hands in the John and Thady Gosden-trained Slipofthepen, who overcame trouble in running and a shade of immaturity to land a taking success at Kempton.

Bred by the late Queen, the Night Of Thunder colt followed up his cosy mile debut victory in November with another eyecatching display over course and distance in the Join Racing TV Now Conditions Stakes.

Trapped in last place turning for home, jockey James Doyle had to remain patient aboard the flashy chestnut with four white socks – who also runs in the name of the Queen Consort – before producing the 8-11 favourite approaching two furlongs from home.

And once he did, Slipofthepen cruised past his four rivals on the bridle, his long stride putting a length and a quarter between him and Ensued at the line.

Thady Gosden said: “It was a very pleasing run. He did it nicely and stretched out well on the bridle. It worked out well.

“Obviously there is a very strong headwind today, which makes it harder for them to quicken up and they are not finishing as they normally would.

“He got lit up, but then relaxed well. He did well and seemed well after the race. He has a lot of class about him.”

James Doyle returns aboard Slipofthepen
James Doyle returns aboard Slipofthepen (Jockey Club)

Coral cut Slipofthepen to 16-1 for the Derby and the 2000 Guineas – which takes place on the weekend of the King’s coronation – and asked if he was a potential Classic prospect, Gosden added: “We will see how he comes out of the race, but it is possible he will be going in that direction.

“He looks a miler and we think something like the St James’s Palace Stakes might be the race for him further down the line. As for a Classic trial, we will see.”

Gosden senior said: “This horse I think is a miler. He feels and trains like a miler. He has a high cruising speed and a good turn of foot. Whether he goes to a Guineas it is a little bit premature to be talking about that.

The late Queen with John Gosden and Frankie Dettori at Royal Ascot
The late Queen with John Gosden and Frankie Dettori at Royal Ascot (David Davies/PA)

“For a Guineas you need a bundle of experience and he has gained some today. We will just see how he is the next 10 days and make some decisions.”

“That (St James’s Palace) is a race I very much have in mind for him. Either you decide you want to go for the Guineas, or the Heron Stakes and the St James’s Palace Stakes.

“Those are the two routes and I’ve had lot of good luck winning the St James’s Palace going from the Heron. Everything is open for discussion and the horse will tell us how he is over the next few days and we can make our mind up from there.”

Running Lion had earlier made it three wins from three on all-weather surfaces when comfortably taking the Racing TV Fillies’ Conditions Stakes, sparking a double for the co-trainers.

The daughter of four-time Grade One winner Roaring Lion, who was likewise trained by the Gosdens, had been beaten on her seven-furlong turf debut in July, yet had subsequently won twice with ease over a mile in novice events once switched to the all-weather, and duly made it a hat-trick on her three-year-old debut.

The 6-4 favourite, ridden by Oisin Murphy, tracked the early pace set by Rainbow Sky and Ellexis and once making her challenge at the cut-away, she was always holding the late challenge from Dancing Goddess to score by a length.

Running Lion was cut to 16-1 (from 20-1) for the 1000 Guineas by Paddy Power, who also clipped her to 33s (from 100-1) for the Oaks.

Thady Gosden said: “That was good for her first start of the season. Obviously she won a decent enough race before.

“It was a lovely run. She tries hard and is a tough filly.

“She has got the speed for the mile, but obviously Roaring Lion won over a mile and a quarter, so we’d like to think this filly will stay that sort of trip in the future.”

Action Point produced a similarly impressive winning debut for trainer Archie Watson in the five-furlong Racing TV/EBF Restricted Novice Stakes.

Hollie Doyle’s mount broke smartly and the 11-10 favourite showed a neat turn of foot to put the race to bed, holding off the persistent challenge of fellow newcomer Ponga and a late thrust from eyecatcher Anfaal, was also making her debut.

The length-and-a-quarter victory was a first for sire Blue Point, a four-time Group One-winning sprinter for Charlie Appleby.

Max Mayhem (15-2) overcame a wide draw to land a competitive renewal of the Racing TV-sponsored Rosebery Handicap under in-form 3lb claimer Benoit De La Sayette.

The Kevin Philippart De Foy-trained five-year-old, who was sold out of Joseph O’Brien’s yard for 42,000 guineas in October, was having his first start for connections.

He showed plenty of grit to down HMS President by half a length, with Jewel In My Crown coming from an almost impossible position to grab third in a bunch finish for the minor honours.

Chester next stop for Magnolia victor Foxes Tales

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Foxes Tales appears to have earned himself a trip to Chester’s May meeting after justifying favouritism with an impressive success in the Unibet More Extra Place Races Magnolia Stakes at Kempton.

The Andrew Balding-trained five-year-old won the Group Three Rose Of Lancaster at Haydock at three, but lost his way somewhat last term.

However, he had shown his well-being with a smart third to subsequent Dubai Turf winner Lord North in the Winter Derby at Lingfield in February and was a 5-2 market leader for Kempton’s Listed feature.

The pace was good from the outset and William Buick appeared keen to catch his six rivals knapping aboard Secret State – kicking for home aboard last season’s King George V Handicap winner with over two furlongs still to run.

Oisin Murphy, though, had the ideal stalking pitch on Foxes Tales and soon had the Charlie Appleby runner in his sights.

The gelded son of Zoffany drew readily upsides and powered clear for a fourth career-win, scoring by three lengths.

Rogue Millennium (33-1) stayed on well for second, with Phantom Flight, who failed to get a run when Buick kicked, a further half length back in third.

Balding said: “He had a bit of wide trip in the Winter Derby but he ran well and Lord North went and franked the form in Dubai, so we were pretty hopeful today.

“He is definitely more focused for being gelded and he is back to the level of form he was showing as a three-year-old.

Foxes Tales returns to the winner's enclosure
Foxes Tales returns to the winner’s enclosure (PA)

“I think last year he was just thinking about things, but he has been gelded and has had a good winter off and hopefully he will have a good season.

“It was either he had to win a Group One last season or have him gelded and have him as a racehorse this season and we have him as a racehorse.

“He has done it well and to the eye it was quite impressive.”

Balding is now eyeing a return to Pattern class, adding: “I think we will probably go to Chester now for the Huxley Stakes (May 12).

“He won a Group Three as a three-year-old and I can’t see why he can’t win at Group-race level again.”

The trainer and jockey made it a double on the card, when Grenham Bay wore down Fix You in a thrilling finish to the six-furlong Unibet More Boosts In More Races Restricted Novice Stakes.

Murphy went on to record his treble as Dora Penny recorded a tenth career success, holding off the lare challenge of Cruise, who had a luckless passage in the six-furlong Fillies’ Handicap.

Whistleinthedark shines at Kempton for Laura Morgan

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Laura Morgan’s Whistleinthedark continued a good run of form when winning the Virgin Bet Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at Kempton under 3lb-claimer Patrick Cowley.

The eight-year-old was second on his seasonal debut and has won twice since, most recently taking a Wetherby novice by nine lengths before stepping back to two miles and two furlongs.

A 7-2 shot, he pursued the leader in the early stages, eventually taking up the lead himself to triumph by a length and a half from Paul Nicholls’ Cap Du Mathan.

Morgan said: “I’m absolutely delighted, when I saw Harry Cobden (second) coming up on the outside there I was a bit worried, but I think he’s done that really well. It was obviously a drop back in trip today and up in grade, I thought he did that well.

“Today wasn’t the target, I thought that we might go to Aintree with him but I’m not too sure yet. I thought we’d go up in grade today and see what he does and he’s done that nicely.”

Suzy Smith’s Animal was then a decisive winner of the Virgin Bet Handicap Chase under Charlie Hammond, justifying his status as 100-30 joint-favourite when winning by seven lengths.

Hammond said: “He’s a lot easier to ride in his races, he’s relaxed more. Normally we drop him out, today we were able to ride him handy. We went a bit wider for fresher ground but he’s jumped and travelled like the best horse in the race and he’s done it nicely.

“He quite often hits a flat spot in his race and then stays on and hits the line really well. The race has never quite been there for him but it was nice to get a race today, we were a bit concerned about the ground and the quick turnaround, but it’s worked out really nicely.”

Richard Bandey was pleased with the performance of the promising Theatre Man, a five-and-a-half-length winner of the Virgin Bet Fives Novices’ Hurdle.

Having run well in three hurdle starts, the seven-year-old was an 11-4 chance and made all of the running before comfortably pulling clear to cross the line five and a half lengths ahead of Nicky Henderson’s Issuing Authority.

Richard Bandey's Theatre Man
Richard Bandey’s Theatre Man (David Davies/PA)

The trainer said: “He’s done that really nicely today. He hasn’t run since December, so that’s the first opportunity that’s come about due to the ground and a few other bits and pieces. He’s done it really nicely, unchallenged, from the front, it seemed to suit the horse.

“He was carrying a 7lb penalty and Mr Henderson’s horse could have put up a serious challenge and it could have been a close affair. He’s it done it that nicely, I’m pleasantly surprised.

“I’d thought about a run round Cheltenham in April but we might be looking at Aintree now, a graded race, you might have to think about something like that.

“Next season he’ll go chasing. I love the way he jumps a hurdle but I think if he does it like that over a fence, he’ll be very impressive.”

Nicholls and Cobden hit Kempton double

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Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden added to an already successful week as Outlaw Peter initiated a Kempton double in the Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle.

The Ditcheat team enjoyed dual Grade One success at the Cheltenham Festival with Stage Star and Stay Away Fay, while Bravesmansgame put up a strong challenge to Galopin Des Champs in the Cheltenham Gold Cup before having to settle for second.

While Nicholls admits Outlaw Peter would not be of that calibre, he was pleased to see the 3-1 favourite on the mark at the Sunbury track.

A winner at Wincanton last time out, the gelding took a another two-mile-five-furlong hurdle with a positive, prominent run to score by two and three-quarter lengths.

“I was a bit worried about the ground, having rained, because he pulled up in the Lanzarote but most of them did that day,” Nicholls said.

“Today was a slightly easier race, not so competitive, and he was able to dominate and just fill his lungs all the time. It was never in doubt really.

“He could go to Aintree or Ayr, or even a novice hurdle at Cheltenham at the April meeting. We’ll find one more run for him somewhere then he’ll go novice chasing in the autumn.

“Harry just said he’ll be some chaser. He’s quite versatile, he’ll win over two (miles) and a half on soft, he’ll go three miles on better ground.

“I shouldn’t think he’ll be a Grade One horse but he’ll win loads of races.”

Complete Unknown, pictured at Sandown last year
Complete Unknown, pictured at Sandown last year (Steven Paston/PA)

Complete Unknown was a decisive winner of the Virgin Bet Fives Handicap Chase, completing the Nicholls-Cobden brace.

A consistent type, the gelding was last seen finishing second the Hampton Novices’ Chase at Warwick when beaten 13 lengths by Galia Des Liteaux.

That contest was over three miles on heavy ground, but at Kempton he stepped down in trip to just over two and a half miles on a good to soft surface.

Whilst prevailing by an unchallenged 16 lengths from Fergal O’Brien’s Silver Hallmark, Cobden believes the horse will ultimately make a staying chaser and a candidate for the longest distance contests.

He said: “He’s a lovely horse, very progressive.

“He’s one of those horses I could just see next year running in a Welsh National with those good staying chasers.

“This time next year he might go to Uttoxeter for the Midlands National, something like that. He loves soft ground as well, which is the key to him.

“He could be a graded horse but I think he’s just a very good handicapper, if I was going to put my money on it.

“I think he just lacks that gear, he doesn’t quite have that class to travel through in a graded race. On a bit of good ground, he’d always be doing a bit too much.

“He’ll earn some nice pots in his time anyway,” he told Racing TV.

Henderson eager to maximise Festival firepower

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Nicky Henderson appears increasingly keen to split Epatante and Marie’s Rock at the Cheltenham Festival after seeing his two top-class mares enjoy a racecourse gallop at Kempton on Tuesday morning.

The JP McManus-owned Epatante won the Champion Hurdle three years ago and has been placed behind Honeysuckle in each of the past two seasons.

However, she has been left trailing in the wake of stablemate Constitution Hill in both the Fighting Fifth and the Christmas Hurdle this season and rather than taking him on again in a fortnight’s time, she could be supplemented for another likely clash with Honeysuckle in the Mares’ Hurdle.

Marie’s Rock won the Mares’ Hurdle for the Seven Barrows team last year – but after seeing her work around Kempton’s all-weather circuit, Henderson hinted he is leaning towards allowing her to step up to three miles and take on the boys in the Stayers’ Hurdle.

Nico de Boinville aboard Marie's Rock at Kempton
Nico de Boinville aboard Marie’s Rock at Kempton (Zac Goodwin/PA)

“The only thing that would be up for discussion now – and I think this (workout) gives Nico (de Boinville) and myself a bit more of a clue – is Marie’s Rock,” said the trainer.

“I’ll talk to Tom Palin (of owners Middleham Park Racing) and we’ll have a look at the Stayers’ Hurdle. Nico was very pleased with her and Aidan (Coleman) was very pleased with Epatante. She isn’t technically in both (the Champion Hurdle and the Mares’ Hurdle), but she could go for either.

“JP will decide what he wants to do, but if Epatante went to the Mares’ Hurdle, I could see a very good reason for Marie’s Rock moving up to three miles in the Stayers’ Hurdle as that’s what that snapshot was telling us there.

“That scenario would suit me but it isn’t about me, it’s about trying to do the best we can for each individual horse. It does realistically give all three of them a shot of winning a race. It just feels a little bit like common sense after watching what was happening today.

“I thought Epatante was great and she’s in very good form within herself. She’s quite big but she didn’t have a big blow.”

Jonbon and Aidan Coleman at Kempton
Jonbon and Aidan Coleman at Kempton (Zac Goodwin/PA)

Other Henderson inmates to strut their stuff at Kempton included leading Arkle Trophy hope Jonbon (Coleman) and possible Turners’ Novices’ Chase runner Balco Coastal (De Boinville).

Henderson added: “Jonbon was good and he did get warm today, but that’s why things like this do him good.

“Balco Coastal worked very well and I’m thinking about the Turners for him. I do think we can have him sharper than what he was at Sandown (when second in the Grade One Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase).”

Meanwhile, Henderson confirmed that the long-absent Buzz is highly unlikely to be part of his Cheltenham Festival squad.

The dual-purpose star won the Cesarewitch at Newmarket and Ascot Hurdle in quick succession in the autumn of 2021, but has been off the track since after fracturing his pelvis the day before an intended outing in the Long Walk Hurdle.

Buzz is very much back on the road to recovery, but Henderson feels a tilt at the Stayers’ Hurdle could be a bridge too far at this stage.

He said: “The only one who probably won’t go to Cheltenham is Buzz and I’ll probably concentrate on Aintree and possibly the Flat.

“He’s in very good form and is doing plenty of work. I was talking to the owners over the weekend and I don’t think that going three miles over hurdles on your first run for a year and a half is really a very sensible thing to be doing.”

Constitution Hill sparkles in Kempton spin

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Constitution Hill was the star attraction as Nicky Henderson put several of his Cheltenham Festival contenders through their paces in a racecourse gallop at Kempton.

A trip to the Sunbury venue has become an annual event for the master of Seven Barrows as a means of putting the finishing touches to his big guns ahead of the the showpiece meeting in the Cotswolds.

The biggest gun of all bound for Prestbury Park in a fortnight’s time is Constitution Hill, who won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle by a staggering 22 lengths at last year’s Festival and will return as a red-hot favourite to provide his trainer with a ninth Champion Hurdle success.

Ridden by Nico de Boinville, the six-year-old was joined by stablemates Captain Morgs (Paul O’Brien) and Ahorsewithnoname (Daryl Jacob) on Tuesday morning and while Henderson admitted it is not easy to find work partners for his pre-eminent star, he was delighted with what he saw.

He said: “It all went to plan. It was difficult to do because, as I’ve been saying all week, I’ve been hunting the country for a miler that I was going to get to jump in halfway round the back straight!

“To be fair, the other two boys have done a great job there, because they’ve just done their own thing and Nico has done his own thing. It was two bits of work happening at once and they did a good job as they just minded themselves.

“I wouldn’t bother writing something titled ‘A day in the life of Constitution Hill’ as it’s about the most boring thing you could write! That’s except for days like this of course, when he comes and does what he loves doing.

“I haven’t had one who’s given you the problem of how to work him. We always used to put Sprinter Sacre and Simonsig together because when you’ve got two really good horses like that, if you do put them together you’ve got to have two seriously good riders.

“Constitution Hill is fit and he’ll have another piece of work at home, but it’s quite difficult at the moment without the grass. Good old Barney (Clifford, clerk of the course at Kempton) let’s us come along and do that and I love doing it.”

Nico de Boinville and Constitution Hill stretch clear at the end of their workout
Nico de Boinville and Constitution Hill stretch clear at the end of their workout (Zac Goodwin/PA)

Constitution Hill carries the colours of owner Michael Buckley, who was on hand to see his pride and joy.

He said: “I’m looking forward to it and it’ll be fun, I hope the horse puts on a good show. As we stand here today, he’s potentially the best horse I’ve ever had and perhaps he already is. He’s got to do it on the big day though.

“My nerves are chattering away and have been for weeks! When you get horses that are odds-on like that, the expectation is that he’s already won the race.

“I feel that it’s a rather sad fact of life that if he only wins by a length or two, everyone is going to feel a sense of disappointment. I’ll be thrilled of course, but he’s done a lot of showy things and I guess people are hoping for a show.

“We need two bits of luck, we need to get there in good shape and then we need Nico to have a bit of luck in-running and get him round without any issues and then hopefully we’ll win.”

Rubaud makes amends for Betfair Hurdle reverse

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Rubaud put a disappointing effort in the Betfair Hurdle well behind him with a gritty success in the Sky Bet Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton.

The Paul Nicholls-trained youngster was strongly fancied for the richest handicap hurdle of the season at Newbury a fortnight ago but gave himself no chance by racing far too freely.

Front-running tactics were employed this time by Harry Cobden and fitted with a hood he was much more settled.

Cobden was able to dictate matters at his own pace and when he kicked coming out of the home straight, he looked to have an unassailable advantage.

The favourite Hansard soon dropped away, as did Ukantango, but the mare Mullenbeg quickened up to almost join the leader.

She could not quite reel him in, though, and went down by a length and a quarter.

Rubaud leads Mullenbeg over the last
Rubaud leads Mullenbeg over the last (Nigel French/PA)

“We probably should have put a hood on him at Newbury where he got lit up and was far too keen,” said Nicholls.

“He’s a proper horse who jumps nicely and will now go to Aintree for the Grade One over two miles.

“He’s in the Supreme but there’s no point going there, he will have a much better chance of being able to dictate at Aintree.

“He goes a good gallop, he’s a good horse but just needs to learn how to relax.

“We had his wind sorted out and he’s been one that’s needed time, a bit like Solo who we saw at his best in the Pendil.”

Solo effort one to savour for Nicholls at Kempton

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Solo produced an exhibition round of jumping from the front to provide trainer Paul Nicholls with a yet another victory in the Coral Pendil Novices’ Chase at Kempton.

The Ditcheat handler had saddled a dozen previous winners of the Grade Two contest, with his last three – Cyrname (2018), Tamaroc Du Mathan (2021) and Pic D’Orhy (2022) – all carrying the Solo silks of owner Johnny de la Hey.

Solo had undergone wind surgery since finishing second in a novice handicap at Kempton on Boxing Day and it appears to have done the trick judged on this impressive display.

The 11-4 shot was bounced out in front from flag-fall by Harry Cobden and some slick jumping kept the pressure on his chasing rivals.

Datsalrightgino and 15-8 favourite Boothill attempted to close the gap from the home turn, but Solo was not for catching with another bold leap at the final fence sealing his two-length success.

Nicholls said: “We had a few issues with his breathing and had to cauterise his palate. He had three weeks off and I thought he might be two weeks off his best.

“If we can keep his wind right there’s a lot to look forward to. There’s a race at Sandown the Saturday before the Festival and another valuable handicap here the day after.

“Harry is brilliant when he dictates from the front and he was just that today.”

Nusret boosts the claims of Irish-trained juveniles ahead of Cheltenham

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Nusret ran out a determined winner of the Coral Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton – advertising the claims of a couple of fellow Irish-trained contenders for the Triumph Hurdle in the process.

Well beaten the last twice by Lossiemouth and Blood Destiny, he was providing trainer Joseph O’Brien with a third Grade Two four-year-old hurdle prize in Britain this season after the successes of Comfort Zone at Chepstow and Cheltenham.

The race changed in complexion when the front-running Sarsons Risk came down at the last flight in the back straight when still going well.

Several runners were hampered, including the eventual winner, but it left Perseus Way in front and Jamie Moore kicked a couple of lengths clear.

Rare Middleton briefly flattered, but Daryl Jacob was biding his time on Nusret and a mistake at the last by Perseus Way enabled the 7-2 chance to come home a length and a quarter clear.

Scriptwriter, who went into the race as one of Britain’s leading Triumph Hurdle aspirants, faded tamely after a mistake.

The winner was cut to 5-1 from 8s for the Boodles Fred Winter at Cheltenham.

Jacob said: “He’s a lovely horse. His Punchestown win was very good while the ground at Leopardstown was a bit soft for him.

“His preferred angle is going right-handed but we’re very very happy to have him.

“I managed to side-step the faller and actually didn’t lose that much ground.

“After that it was pretty straightforward, let’s hope he will go to Cheltenham where it would be the Boodles.”

Nusret and Daryl Jacob
Nusret and Daryl Jacob (PA Wire)

O’Brien said: “I thought it was a great ride from Daryl and it was a very pleasing performance.

“He appeared to enjoy going on a bit nicer ground. It was a nice race to go for. Anthony Bromley (racing manager to Simon Munir and Isaac Souede) thought it would be a good spot for him and I have to give him credit for suggesting the idea.

“We were hopeful he would run like that as that is why we went there. We had a form line through Scriptwriter (who was beaten by Comfort Zone at Cheltenham) and we thought he was the one to beat, but we thought our horse would at least be competitive with him.

“Daryl thinks he is better going right-handed but there aren’t many options right-handed before Punchestown. He will have the option of going to Cheltenham and there will be options at Aintree as well.

“We will see how he comes out of it and sit down with Daryl, Anthony, Simon and Isaac and work out where to go. I suppose the Boodles would be the obvious race but we will see how he comes out of it and what the guys want to do.”