It was a great day for Nicky Henderson at Ascot with both of his fancied horses winning. First of them to line up was Lulamba in the Juvenile Hurdle, the gelding was 4/1 favourite for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham so expectations were high going into his British debut. Ridden by Nico de Boinville he was giving 10lb to his main market rival Mondo Man trained by Gary Moore. Mondo Man was extremely fresh, pulling hard from the offset and to fair to him did well to finish in 2nd beaten 3 ½ lengths.
Nico got his mount in a prominent position from the start and although he wasn’t fluent three out he made his challenge just before two out and then went on to lead approaching the last before being pushed out on the run in. Bookmakers were quick to react from the performance and shortened him up to around 6/4 for the Triumph. Caoilin Quinn who rode the 2nd said his gelding ran too freely. Gary Moore no doubt like to get a win under Mondo Man’s belt before meeting with his conqueror at the festival in March.
Triumph Hurdle betting:
Non UKGC Casinos: Lulamba 13/8, East India Dock 11/2, Hello Neighbour 7/1, Saint Lucie 10/1, Lady Vega Allen 10/1 and 20/1 Bar.
Gambling Sites That Accept Credit Cards: Lulamba 6/4, East India Dock 5/1, Hello Neighbour 8/1, Saint Lucie 9/1, Lady Vega Allen 10/1 and 20/1 Bar.
American Betting Sites For UK: Lulamba 6/4, East India Dock 5/1, Hello Neighbour 8/1, Saint Lucie 8/1, Lady Vega Allen 10/1 and 20/1 Bar.
The main race of the day at Ascot was won by Henderson again with the talented Jonbon taking the Clarence House Chase. The 9yo jumped left on occasions when making the running, the gelding wasn’t fluent 3 out but a good jump at the last sealed the race beating Willie Mullins Energumene by 6 ½ lengths. Mullins gelding now 12yo just didn’t have the pace to match the winner but connections are hopeful their horse can get closer up the Cheltenham hill come March time.
Champion Chase odds:
Betting Sites No ID Verification UK: Jonbon 5/4, Gaelic Warrior 7/2, Energumene 7/1, Il Est Francais 8/1, El Fabiolo 12/1 and 16/1 Bar.
Gambling Sites Not on Gamban: Jonbon 11/8, Gaelic Warrior 7/2, Energumene 7/1, Il Est Francais 8/1, El Fabiolo 10/1 and 16/1 Bar.
Willie Mullins had to pick up bridesmaid position again in the BetMGM Mares Hurdle when his well fancied Kargese was beaten ¾ length by Take No Chances trained by Dan Skelton. Kargese was having her first run of the season so will without doubt come on for the outing, the 5yo was extremely keen held up in rear, Paul Townsend made his move with the mare 3 out before challenging after two out. She was carried left on the run in but the early excursions cost her the race, whether Willie will look to get another run into her before the Mares race at the Cheltenham Festival time will tell.
Betting for the Mares Hurdle: Brighterdaysahead 6/4, Lossiemouth 5/2, July Flower 5/1, Kargese 6/1, Jade De Grugy 7/1 and 12/1 Bar.
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